Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is an action game released in 2008. It is the third game in the Castlevania series for the Nintendo DS. Akihiro Minakata directed the game, and Koji Igarashi, who previously worked on the game, returned as the producer. The story follows Shanoa, who joins a group trying to stop Dracula after the Belmont family disappears.
The game was later released again in 2024 as part of the Castlevania Dominus Collection. It is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. This collection also includes Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, and Haunted Castle Revisited.
Gameplay
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is a two-dimensional action-adventure game that includes elements of adventure and role-playing games, such as the ability to wear armor and cast spells. A new combat system called the "Glyph System" allows the player's character, Shanoa, to collect icons called "Glyph symbols" by defeating enemies or completing challenges. These symbols can be attached to her arms and back, enabling her to use special abilities and skills. There are more than 100 different Glyphs available, such as weapon and magic types. Glyphs require Magic Points (MP) to function, and when the MP runs out, the player must stop attacking to let it refill. The player can also use a special "Glyph Union" technique, which creates a stronger attack using the equipped glyphs. Union attacks use the Heart Points gauge, a feature not found in Portrait of Ruin. Some Glyphs can be used to solve puzzles in the game.
The game includes many different locations, such as forests, mountains, and oceans. There are 20 total locations, connected by an overworld map that allows players to move between them. In addition to fighting enemies and progressing through locations, players can complete side quests. After finishing a quest, players receive a reward. If the player completes the game, new features become available, including a sound test, hard mode, boss rush mode, and Albus mode with an alternate playable character. The game also includes online play, allowing players to trade items or compete against others in a versus mode. It connects with Castlevania Judgment through DS-to-Wii technology, unlocking content in both games. Order of Ecclesia is the first official game in the series where the Vampire Killer whip does not appear.
Plot
1094 – Lament of Innocence 1450 – Legends ✝ 1476 – Dracula's Curse 1479 – Curse of Darkness 1499 – Belmont's Curse 1576 – The Adventure 1591 – Belmont's Revenge 1691 – Castlevania (1986 video game) 1698 – Simon's Quest 1748 – Harmony of Dissonance 1792 – Rondo of Blood 1797 – Symphony of the Night 1800 – Order of Ecclesia 1830 – Circle of the Moon ✝ 1844 – Legacy of Darkness ✝ 1852 – Castlevania (1999 video game) ✝ 1917 – Bloodlines 1944 – Portrait of Ruin 2035 – Aria of Sorrow 2036 – Dawn of Sorrow
1047 – Lords of Shadow 1073-1101 – Mirror of Fate 1102-2057 – Lords of Shadow 2
✝ = Revised Information:
The game "Order of Ecclesia" happens after "Symphony of the Night," during the 1800s, following the time of Richter Belmont. At this point, the Belmont Clan had disappeared, so groups formed to study ways to stop Dracula and his return. One group, the Order of Ecclesia, created three magical symbols called "Dominus" based on Dracula's power. Shanoa, chosen by the Order's leader, Barlowe, became the human carrier for Dominus. During the ritual, the Dominus symbols (Anger, Hatred, Agony) were stolen by Shanoa's colleague, Albus, and Shanoa lost her memories and emotions. She searched for them, unaware of Albus's true plans.
Shanoa reached Wygol Village, where she found that Albus had captured its people and taken them to hidden places. As she rescued them, she learned Albus had taken their blood for experiments. Twice, Shanoa found Albus, who gave her two of the Dominus symbols. When she discovered Albus was using the third symbol, she fought him. After defeating Albus, his mind and soul joined Shanoa, along with the last Dominus symbol. Albus explained he wanted to stop Dracula without Shanoa using Dominus, as it would kill her. Shanoa's lost memories and emotions were taken by Dominus, not Albus, as Barlowe had told her. Albus also revealed the villagers were descendants of the Belmont Clan, and their blood might help control Dominus.
After learning the truth, Shanoa confronted Barlowe, who wanted to bring Dracula back by using her as a sacrifice. After defeating Barlowe, he offered his life to revive Dracula, and Dracula's castle appeared. Shanoa defeated Dracula using Dominus, seemingly sacrificing her life. However, Albus appeared, explaining only one soul was needed. He gave his life to save Shanoa, restored her memories, and asked her to smile. The castle collapsed, and Shanoa escaped.
Development
The game Order of Ecclesia was created by the team that developed Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.
In a Wired interview, Igarashi stated, "We are working on another Nintendo DS version. There has not been an official announcement, but we are making it. We want people to enjoy the PSP version of Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles first. After that, we will announce the new game. Please wait a little while." On January 25, 2008, leaked screenshots from a DS Castlevania game appeared online. These images also showed features that connected to the Wii. When asked if the screenshots were from the same game or if it was an official Konami product, Igarashi did not answer directly. He told IGN, "Konami does not talk about rumors or guesses." Later, an update confirmed that the screenshots were from Order of Ecclesia.
Reception
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia received "favorable" reviews according to the video game review website Metacritic. Shane Bettenhausen compared it to Symphony of the Night and Simon's Quest, noting that the game's difficulty was balanced by its role-playing elements. He also mentioned that the game's quality remained high despite its length, with about three or four different things to find. He concluded that it was "the best action-RPG Castlevania game" and gave it an A− for 1Up.com, saying it "can still bring new life to this long-running franchise." Game Informer's Tim Turi praised its gameplay and called it his favorite portable Castlevania title. Edge gave the game a mixed review, criticizing its many side quests. They wrote, "It is a shame that Konami made the experience too long with early tasks." GameRevolution praised the combat but said the game was weaker compared to Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow and earlier Game Boy Advance titles.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was named Best Nintendo DS Game by GameTrailers in their 2008 awards. It also won Best Platform Game for the Nintendo DS from IGN. It was nominated for other Nintendo DS-specific awards, including Best Graphics Technology, Best Original Score, and Game of the Year, but did not win any of these.
At the 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Order of Ecclesia for "Hand-Held Game of the Year" and "Adventure Game of the Year."
The game sold 19,000 copies in Japan during its first week.
Shanoa, the main character in Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, received positive reviews. She was listed in Complex's top 50 heroines in video games. Jonathan Ore wrote that Shanoa is a well-done female lead, noting her design is not overly sexualized but still attractive. He said her backless dress is stylish but not inappropriate and that she has a role in the story. He believed she is better than other female characters in the series, such as Maria Renard, Sypha Belnades, and Charlotte Aulin, who are not the main characters in their games. Zachary Miller said Shanoa was the first strong female lead in the series, except for Sonia Belmont, who was no longer considered part of the official story. Destructoid's Jonathan Holmes called her a "woman with depth and purpose," praising her abilities and calling her "one of the most, if not the most, interesting Castlevania protagonists ever." GamesRadar named Shanoa the "sexiest new heroine" of 2008, praising her for being attractive without being overly revealing. She was also praised as a rare example of a female lead in the Castlevania series. Joystiq's Candace Savino called her a "strong and capable character" before the game's release. Escapist Magazine's Keane Ng said Shanoa would not start a gender revolution but still called her unique. Phillip Willis noted that Shanoa's amnesia is a common trope in role-playing games. GameRevolution criticized this plot point, saying it made Shanoa "hard to feel connected to" and "cold and lifeless." The design and abilities of the main character in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Miriam, have been compared to Shanoa's by some outlets.