JAVA | Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, is this the BEST DS Castlevania? - SimplyAJ (REVIEW)

Could this be the BEST Castlevania on the DS? Let's find out!
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Twitter ► / ajmcgucken
Patreon ► / simplyaj
Instagram ► / simplyajofficial
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Songs Used:
1) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Name Entry (Nintendo DS)
2) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Bloodlines Bequethed
3) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Silent Prison
4) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Iron Blue Intention
5) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Cross on the Breast
6) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - The Hidden Curse
7) Final Fantasy VII - One Winged-Angel (Sony Playstation)
8) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - In Search of the Secret Spell
9) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Bad Situation
10) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - OPERATION "VK"
11) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Gaze Up at the Darkness
12) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Jail of Jewel
13) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Invitation of a Crazed Moon
14) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Dance of Sadness
15) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - The Gears Go Arwy
16) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Piercing Silence
17) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - A Small Prayer
18) Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - Portrait of Destiny
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Special Thanks:
@SamWithoutAPlan - For helping me with shooting and general moral support! ► / samwithoutaplan
#Castlevania #NintendoDS #review #Konami

[@Dilios_of_Sparta]

A Castlevania game review uploaded during a blood moon..? You magnificent bastard, I love it!

[@magvs_mæstro216]

I love your comment lol

[@Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyy]

@@magvs_mæstro216I’m gay

[@NipplesTheEnchilada2323]

Fun fact: The person who made the track for the opening area of the game, Invitation of a Crazed Moon, was in fact not Michiru Yamane, and was actually composed by another legendary composer, Yuzo Koshiro, composer of games like the Streets of Rage and the Etrian Odyssey series. He composed a few tracks for the game in fact, and I believe about 5 of the tracks in the game were composed by him.

[@SimplyAJ]

Ooh neat, thanks for the extra added information! Yeah Yuzo is awesome as well. Did some tracks in Monster Boy, and I believe is even doing some tracks for Mina the Hollower as well.

[@JEANS__]

JONATHAN CHARLOTTE JONATHAN CHARLOTTE

[@philclip23]

Came here from Jrose11. You have immediately earned my respect by talking about this game. One of THE MOST FUN Castlevanias, ever!

[@SimplyAJ]

Haha, glad ya liked it! Yeah Portrait is absolutely fantastic.

[@EXHellfire]

As a teenager I slept on Charlotte too and just did the whole game with Jonathan but replaying it now after years I barely touched Jonathan and keep doing everything as Charlotte. Her magic is insane

[@CaptainQuackYT]

I am dying for the DS collection to get announced/released to play this game specifically. Ecclesia looks awesome, and Dawn of Sorrow also; but, Portrait of Ruin's Belmont-esque gameplay with Johnathan is really what I am craving. Overall, you confirmed my hype by adding all of the other awesome elements that I was not aware about; however, I am skeptical about the questing. Personally, I really dreaded the quests in Bloodstained ROTN because it simply amounted to fetch quests and kill X enemies, so it felt very mundane side tasks instead of interesting side-content with extra stories/dungeons. From what I saw here, it looks more like in ROTN territory? Am I wrong? Nonetheless, if it is only 30ish quests then it should not be too bad to tackle. Thanks again for these awesome reviews man! They make great content to watch while in the treadmill hehe

[@SimplyAJ]

Glad you're enjoyin' these! Just to clarify like... The quests aren't the MOST in depth things in the world. A Lot of RoTN was based on these games after all, plus this is a DS game from 2006 haha. So, for the most part the quests are things like "find these three items" or "defeat the [hidden secret enemy]" or like "get your INT above a certain threshold" etc. There ARE some quests that are like more "challenging" though, such as one that requires you to beat a specific respawnable boss with Charlotte's weakest book weapon. But yeah, I think they add just enough to the game to enhance exploring previous areas again.

[@stellarkym]

So you haven't played these DSvania games just yet?

[@alexh2790]

Your wish was granted!

[@kevinbuchanan67]

R U happy?

[@whocalled3015]

Dude if they did the advance collection for all three GBA games I'm pretty sure that they're going to do a collection for the DS games as well they just got to iron out some things since we don't have a double screen no more

[@SimplyAJ]

Yeah, honestly the only game that would be "difficult" with that would be Dawn of Sorrow, but even then, I do think there are work arounds. Switch is touch screen, PS5's Dual Sense has the touch pad. But yeah I'm REALLY hoping we get a DS collection, but I guess only time will tell haha.

[@necroticdeath3549]

Castlevania Dominus Collection is here!​@@SimplyAJ

[@Spookybluelights]

This is my favorite Castlevania! I love the dual protagonist system, Charlotte is my favorite character to play as. This is the only game in the series I've ever 100%'d.

[@SimplyAJ]

Yeah she's super underrated for sure!

[@REblll]

Fantastic video for a fantastic castlevania game. I love how there is "technically" a 4th mode as well. Maria only mode, it's a glitched out version of richter mode where you only play as maria. You can't finish it cause you need richter to traverse but its still pretty cool. Can't wait to see you tackle Ecclesia!

[@SimplyAJ]

Hahaha yeah. Unless it's like super relevant, I typically don't go too deep into the glitches of the games, since they weren't intended. Guess I could have talked about the Death Softlock, but, oh well haha. Or the duplicating quest rewards, etc.

[@wastedangelematis]

People sleep on Portrait of Ruin

[@SimplyAJ]

They absolutely do!

[@nathanielnighthawk3900]

Thanks for another great review! Portrait definitely feels like the overlooked title out of the ds trilogy but added so much especially with it having two characters that play so different to each other

[@SimplyAJ]

Yeah, Portrait seems to be the game people either LOVE or just completely forget about. Being the middle child of the DS, sort of makes sense I guess haha.

[@FuriousMaximum]

I really like Metroidvanias ...if they have good music and atmosphere of course, as Igavanias usually do. The formula where you use abilities, if they are good traversal abilities, to reach and travel through previously inaccesible areas usually clicks with me. I have designed 8 so far.

[@seiyamiguelgurangoshibamur3271]

This video is well put together, that's why it saddens me to see it has so little views. You deserve more bro

[@SimplyAJ]

Aha, thanks! It's all good, I just have fun makin' the videos. If they get more views, awesome. If only a select amount of people find them? That's cool too. At least this way, I can respond to most of the comments haha.

[@bishop6881]

we did it old heads T-T we finally got the best three on modern hardware, now we just need the 3d games out of Konami jail

[@gilfrancisjeno.panchoanime9675]

I bought a second hand Nintendo DS with free R4 SKHD from Shopee. I played this game last week, and I'm addicted to it because of the soundtracks and it's story (even I didn't played the original and it's other games). This is my first Castlevania game I played, even I'm new to this franchise.

[@SimplyAJ]

Yeah the soundtrack is DAMN good. Hope you enjoy the rest of the series if you decide to play them!

[@iamLI3]

i unlocked old axe armor mode , and i didn't even know you could do that suspend game mode trick .__." ........ i've also beaten the game on it's hardest difficult of level 1 locked old axe armor , i still have the save file which i named '99 hour waste'....... also i had no idea about any of the development so that was super cool to learn that the same music composer's first game she made the music for was bloodlines , portrait was my first castlevania so it was a cool surprise for me to later play bloodlines and come to find that some of the songs i was hearing in the older games were remixes of bloodline's o: ....

[@Thedesertguy75]

I just started playing it a few weeks ago. WHat an excellent Castlevania GAME.........One of my favorites.....!! The art, music, characters, opening intro animation., the sisters and how their eyes are exact opposites with a erd and blue one..........LOVE IT.

[@SimplyAJ]

I don't even think I noticed that detail about the eyes, nice find!

[@Thedesertguy75]

@@SimplyAJ the more I play it the more I love it. It's a perfect blend of all the classics...I'm impressed and I put it up there with SOTN

[@KCB05_Cosplays]

One of my favorite Castlevania games! I remember my 1st introduction to this game! Back when I was able to see my dad, I wad able to spend a Christmas with him! He got me a lime green DS Lite with New Super Mario Bros & Portrait of Ruin! I had so many memories of the beginning of the game right down to the opening cutscene! When I sadly was prohibited from seeing my dad, I never got to keep the ds or the games. Years later I got a 2DS and I got NSMB and beat it along with so many other games! I was only missing one game and that was Portrait of Ruin! I asked for it for Christmas and my gamer uncle got it for me! I relived so many memories and beat it a few years ago! Such a fantastic game and very nostalgic!

[@SimplyAJ]

That's neat to hear you were able to revisit the game that meant so much to you! I really do think it's the stories tied with how we get these games that makes them so neat sometimes!

[@pobbityboppity1110]

Thanks for sharing this personal connection to the game!

[@zariaalhajmoustafa2573]

Julius can attack with the whip in any Direction in Harmony of Despair

[@nicoalecapunpon3761]

I know this is 1 year late and I just discovered your love for Igavania but try Castlevania Rondo of Ruin ( it's a rom hack ) Castlevania Rondo of Ruin is a Castlevania Portrait of Ruin romhack aiming to modify most of the games content. There is a new story, new items, sprites, weapons, music, and most of the games areas are modified in both small and big ways. Set 5 years after the events of Symphony of the Night, join Richter Belmont, Maria Renard and their companions as they work to unravel what has caused Castlevania’s early return to the world of humans.

[@SimplyAJ]

Haha never too late for a suggestion! I've actually heard of that, but haven't checked it out yet. I'll def give ita go though. Seems like the perfect thing to throw onto a Steamdeck to play. I'll be sure to check it out!

[@nicoalecapunpon3761]

@@SimplyAJ Please do you'll be surprised! Also, check Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow Definitive Edition+ that one is a Masterpiece 10/10.

[@BackPalSA]

Would love to see Jrose play Crystal Clear some day, and hell yeah AJ! I'm subbed because I love the castlevania games and your voice, so here's hoping it's all this high quality!

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! I'll pass it along to him haha. Glad you're enjoyin' my content too!

[@wawazx5215]

The music is indeed incredibly amazing.

[@WayUpHigh777]

I spent so many hours attempting Richter mode on Hard Max Level 1. Getting to the final boss was easy, but I was never able to beat the 2nd phase. Maybe if they do release a collection, I can give it another go!

[@SimplyAJ]

Most definitely you should! Regarding the second phase of the final boss, I want to say there is actually a way to cheese it, which gets him to repeat his floating attack where he rains down fire, forever, but if you mess up the pattern, then, well... Yeah haha

[@chapstik165]

I just love your videos and your nostalgia for the classics. Amazing work! Please keep ‘em coming.

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! Haha, honestly, that's the plan! Got a TON of ideas listed out, it's just a matter of having the time to get them all made.

[@rockwarriorofoak]

I also mostly used Jonathan on my first play through. Your channel is very informative and it really makes me want to play the games all over again. Well done sir. Keep up the good work.

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! They're definitely worth visiting again if ya got the time to. I've been having a blast replaying all these.

[@winglesshawk6970]

I'm always baffled when you do these Castlevania videos...there's just so much CONTENT

[@SimplyAJ]

I'm super curious how it's gonna go when I revisit the third and final DS one, cause, it's uhh... pretty beefy too! But yeah, kind of wild how games used to just toss us all sorts of different modes and playable characters, and now we're lucky to get a single complete experience in a game haha.

[@winglesshawk6970]

Ez 40 minute video

[@SimplyAJ]

@@winglesshawk6970 I dunno if my voice could hold out for that long

[@SamWithoutAPlan]

@@SimplyAJ I’ve heard you talk for longer 😂

[@ishield20]

Aj video! Heck yeah! Love this game. The gameplay was top notch. Hearing Johnathan! Charlotte! Brings back memories. Great video as always.

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! Makes ya wonder if those voice actors are doing anything relevant today haha.

[@yuumijungle548]

portrait of ruin is my favorite castlevania, above symphony, above aria, i think its the perfect castlevania experience.

[@massacerer]

I have been watching your channel periodically when I go in and out of my Castlevania manic obsessions, and I would like to thank you for your continued passion for games I am also passionate about. I really enjoy listening to other people who care about things that I do talk about them, because I am not particularly skilled at doing so. Thank you for your time and effort, and I hope you continue to enjoy creating content as much as I enjoy engaging in it

[@Thedesertguy75]

Ide say both Portrait of Ruin and order of ecclesia are my favorites. Naturally SOTN is legendary.

[@SimplyAJ]

I definitely think the DS games are some of the best. Each has theirs pros and cons, but across the board, they're just a really solid experience.

[@nweditor875]

Love Castevania Portrait of Ruin has my favorite cheat code of all time.

[@felix-ve8jk]

Just found your channel. Really surprised you dont have more views especially with the obvious time you're putting into these videos. Loving them. Subscribed.

[@SimplyAJ]

Aha, thanks so much, I appreciate it!

[@zachtwilightwindwaker596]

I think the reason why Johnathan can't use the whip is because he's not a direct descendant of the last person who used it. I usually use Johnathan but Charlotte does come in handy in certain scenarios. There's a boss that can charm Johnathan so using Charlotte is recommended. It is funny seeing Johnathan say that the boss is beautiful and then he gets charmed and apologizes to Charlotte after she beats the boss. I also used her black hole ability to block a Frankenstein Monster's machine gun. I didn't know you could open a dark gate.

[@ShadyHitchhiker]

Finished the video, definitely agree with your thoughts. I remember picking this game up in a Gamestop in America while on holiday, and they had their "Can return used games for any reason no questions asked for a full refund" policy in effect I used them like a free rental service while I was there, and picked up Portrait of Ruin fully intending to return it after completion, but I absolutely couldn't bring myself to do so. I ended up keeping it and 99.99% completing the game, by beating it in every mode and with every character, except for one mode: Old Axe Armour, on the hardest difficulty, capped at lv.1 I got to and fought the last boss hundreds of times, but it eventually broke my spirit and I never completed that particular challenge

[@SimplyAJ]

Sometimes, I like to go back to games years later with the mindset of "I'm better at games now, so I bet I could do it," so who knows, maybe if you tried again, you'd be able to beat the challenge! Or ya know, just replay the game and enjoy it however you want, cause it's great haha.

[@mark_eire]

Really enjoyed the video. Had never heard this game discussed before. Very curious to try now! Thanks for avoiding spoilers, got something new to look forward to playing ☺️

[@SimplyAJ]

For sure! It's a great game, definitely one worth looking into. I imagine at some point it'll get re-released for modern consoles. Fingers crossed haha

[@errorfilenotfound]

JRose brought me here! We need to hear the ridiculous rap! Please!

[@SimplyAJ]

Haha, in due time, I'm sure we can figure out a good way to release it! It's still 100% up to him though hahaha

[@hectorelmikeegomaster666]

I've come here after a week of having the Dominus collection announced. Not gonna lie I'd played this game on DS and 3DS XL and was magnificent. I'd also tried to emulate it and it froze at random points So a collection was at hand to give us another official chance to play it

[@AVJHalonen]

I'm here for "I'm a poliwhirl in a poli woooorld!" (I actually haven't heard that yet but looking for it)

[@SimplyAJ]

Hahah, hopefully in due time!

[@GamingtheOtter]

I absolutely love PoR just amazing!

[@SimplyAJ]

It's definitely a great game!

[@MegaHoro]

One of my favorite Castlevania s I re-played the DS trilogy last year for Halloween

[@Fattyshak]

Just wanted to shout you out for your amazing work editing!

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much!

[@pobbityboppity1110]

Gunna go develop a game where the circus comes to the desert just for this guy to make a video review of

[@mubarakzahruddin]

The first time I've seen Castlevania PoR I didn't feel like playing them bcs I just don't feel castlevania series as anime. That was until I found the hack that replace anime portraits with the traditional gothic style and I started playing it and loving it. I was an idiot. Although Konami missed their chance with multiplayer aspect of the game. A multiplayer Castlevania with actual lore and storyline would be awesome. I wouldn't even mind if they remaster Castlevania III with new graphics and movements along with PoR system. I think the timeline is the best to include multiple character. Maybe they can include Hector and pixel game CoD as dlc too.

[@SimplyAJ]

Luckily, the portraits are the least important thing when it comes to the gameplay haha

[@mubarakzahruddin]

@@SimplyAJ i know. I was stupid. I judged the game but its cover

[@grifftown]

imma need the extended version Jrose rap n them singles. Gotta make it into fire🔥 Looking forward to checking out your videos

[@SimplyAJ]

Haha, I'll pass it along. Thanks so much for the support

[@grifftown]

@@SimplyAJ You're the man! Keep up the great work 👍

[@xboxclown8922]

For me, Dawn of Sorrow is slightly better in a few areas. Portrait of Ruin is among my favorite Castlevania games. Also being a direct sequel to Castlevania: Bloodlines helps too.

[@sahelebrahimal-wasti4829]

This is my first ever castlevania game. And I love the series afterward ❤😍!

[@Zorgdub]

Well, it didn't take long to get to 3k subscribers. You go, AJ!

[@SimplyAJ]

Honestly, blown away, thanks so much!

[@RiderWithTheScarf]

Love the game. Spent an incredible amount grinding with Jonathan, it was very relaxing beating up skeletons and seeing the subweapons and techniques actively change once mastered. Always had a soft spot for the Dual Crush "Holy Storm / Thunder Crush(in japanese)" but there were other fun ones like "Axe Bomber", the pro wrestling tag move. 17:11 what you say about revisiting old tracks and re-doing them with new hardware and new tech is basically what Yuzo Koshiro does all the time, even in his spare time. The absolute madman wasn't happy with Actraiser's OST due to the limitations of the SNES' sound chip so he re-recorded and recomposed the tracks for the PC-88's CD tech, which was new at the time and he hid it as a "beta version". kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmKwmHenmdJjjck Ultimately, Actraiser released on SNES only and that beta stage ost never got fully released or finished. Then, nearly 20 years later, he got to redo the whole thing for the remake : kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5i1nIyEepaDiLc According to the man himself, he really enjoyed working on it once again.

[@SimplyAJ]

Oh that's awesome! Yeah cool to hear about someone so passionate about their own work that they want to revisit it and make it that much better.

[@ShadyHitchhiker]

Coming over here from the month of JRose to see a portrait of ruin review? For this reason I am IN

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much!

[@HalecksonHenrick]

As usual, great video, we can see u effort :D

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks!

[@lucysky2245]

Glad to see you've broken 3k already :) Love from Jrose fans ♥

[@SimplyAJ]

Yeah this has been wild and completely unexpected, but I'm immensely grateful!

[@kujian]

Awesome job on the month of jrose, time to watch some castlevania videos!

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much!

[@Ishidori85]

18:23 Nostra-freaking-Damus 😂😂😂

[@skateboardmemories]

I just realised Im enjoying a cup of java ☕️ while watching another great java castlevania videos 😂 gr8 video dude 👏👏

[@SimplyAJ]

Haha, awesome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@isaac3000]

YES! I loved it more than any other title!

[@NerevarineKing]

I absolutely loved what they did with the dual-character system in this game and the subweapon system was pretty cool. I really like playing as Charlotte, but I do prefer Jonathon's movement/defensive capabilities most of the time. I liked the idea of going into paintings, although I think it eventually took away from the experience and lead me to dreading every time I encountered a new one I had to explore in order to progress. The quest system is bit strange and lot of them are just a slog to complete. Portrait also has one of the coolest final bosses in the series.

[@SimplyAJ]

I think my ONLY gripe with the dual-character thing is that I wish Charlotte had some good movement tech at the end of the game, too. She deserves it.

[@unknown95140]

18:25 you were right hehe

[@greatrulo]

Hell yeah!

[@coffeedude]

Great video! Are you still planning on doing one about Order of Ecclesia?

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! Yeah I actually already did a an Order of Ecclesia one, if ya haven't seen it yet!

[@coffeedude]

@@SimplyAJ oh yeah! I don't know how I missed it on your channel. Thanks!

[@fae_gavan7582]

For Portrait of Ruin, I think it could use a little more time in the oven. It's good, but some tweaks, like to make the buried chamber less forgettable, fix the crashes, and balance the hard mode would definitely elevate the game even further.

[@SimplyAJ]

I agree it probably could have used a bit more time, especially to make Charlotte feel just a liiiitle better over all (like, she doesn't get the same type of movement tech Jonathon does, which is a shame). I can't say I've ever experienced any crashes though.

[@DrsJacksonn]

As much stuff as portrait has and as much as dawn had a number of problems, I can't help but feel that dawn just felt bigger and more challenging. And I liked the soul system better than the magic powers you had in portrait.

[@MattyIcecubes]

I love the imagery of PoR, as well as it's setting along the Bloodlines branch of the series; but it does feel like the weak link of the DS collection IMO.

[@fpsfanatic9461]

This is what I think. Everybody has there own favorite ds castlevania game, there is no bad one. It all has to do with which one someone played first.

[@SimplyAJ]

I wouldn't say it necessarily has to do with which game someone played first. I played Dawn of Sorrow before Portrait, and still prefer Portrait. Same reason a lot of people prefer Mario 3 over Mario 1, even having played Mario 1 first. But yeah of course everyone has their own favorite DS Castlevania games, all three are honestly fantastic.

[@JeannieLove]

Lol, we just got the DS collection! Portrait of Ruin looks better than I expected, just finished Dawn of Sorrow, and I hated it. Definitely the worst of the 3, Order of Ecclesia is my favorite.

[@meterojinn]

Totally agree it has the best final boss fight... but it's my 3rd best castlevania

[@NT35000]

Getting better man. We love to see it

[@SimplyAJ]

Aha, thanks dude!

[@UNSTABLE111]

the ds games are some of the best metroidvania style games, that rival and in some ways surpass Symphony of the Night if i may be so bold to say that

[@calvinheslop2585]

I love these castlevania games but I really dislike the mortal kombat fatalities input you have to do just to get some basic spells/attacks.

[@iamLI3]

WOAH this guy looks like a jrpg character XD

[@CodEmTee]

Ahh, Remembered when i threw DS when i'm 8 when i got game over first time, luckly my DS isn't die by throwing, after that, i never touched that game ever again. i'd grab and play this game again when i'm free.

[@retrogamer41_sepiamta]

Portrait Of Ruin is good, but sadly it's my least fave in the DS Trilogy. It can drag a little long due to the different paintings you have to enter, but at least the progress was worth it in the end.

[@SimplyAJ]

I think if they could have prevented that feeling had they either just cut the final 4 paintings, or made them unique areas unlike the originals. Doing each theme twice definitely can feel a bit like padding. Hell, another solution would be cut those paintings and just expand the castle itself.

[@retrogamer41_sepiamta]

@@SimplyAJ I kind of getting what they are doing given they did the same thing before(on HoD(GBA) & SOTN) to lengthen the game further. Despite that drawback, perhaps this game has my fave look of Death in the series, IMO.

[@wallacesousuke1433]

IMO OoE is the best but PoR is quite close, just wish it didnt have so many recycled enemies and they ditched the anime tone and style for traditional Gothic style

[@lonedruid710]

Subscribed from jrose nice editing. Hope your channel grows too. Congratz on 3k. Road to 10k 😁🎉🎉

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! Honestly blown away by the support from his community.

[@phoenx6336]

Damm, i came to the video for the title, i thought it might be related to Java language programming somehow, lul

[@luthlexor123]

Order Of Ecclesia when!!!

[@SimplyAJ]

Tomorrow, actually!

[@luthlexor123]

@@SimplyAJ Yoooooooo, awesome! Been binging them while away on holiday and I'm already up to date :)

[@VJFranzK]

it's the most different C.V!

[@richardalcala4125]

Love it keep it up bro.

[@hadesKIU]

If you don't mind me asking, what caused you to dislike Circus Levels? I have VERY little experience with them, only playing one in Wario World and possibly one in a Mario game (maybe? Once upon a time?) and I don't specifically remember hating them.

[@SimplyAJ]

Honestly, I think its just the aesthetic, and the music. The generic "circus" music you hear just doesn't vibe with me. Take for instance Carnival Night Zone in Sonic 3. Where as it's a carnival and not a circus, the music is pretty similar. Design wise, a lot of the circus themed levels are also typically very gimmicky. Strange level layouts that clash with the rest of the game's structure, etc. Just not a fan haha.

[@hadesKIU]

@@SimplyAJ Carnival Night Zone. That explains it a lot. I haven't played Sonic 3 but even *I* know the evil spinny platform gimmick in that level! You also make a great point about the level layout. There's a reason that carnival/circus stages being fundamentally problematic: They're usually small and very specifically laid out. If you make an accurately laid out carnival/circus level, it's a bad video game level design. If you make an inaccurately laid out one, it's disingenuous and defeats the point of the theme in the first place. After that, all you're left with is (as you said) aesthetic and gimmicks. I don't encounter them enough to dislike them on sight, but now I can see why you do!

[@chinitonamoreno]

Great review. Very energetic! PoR is my first Castlevania that I have played by myself.

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks so much! The other games in the series are definitely worth checking out if you're interested!

[@Rain-sr9pp]

Loving the content

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks man! Glad you're enjoyin' it

[@gilfrancisjeno.panchoanime9675]

Charlotte is my main character throughout the missions.

[@nobodycares9579]

The best, BY FAR! subbed.

[@SimplyAJ]

Aha, thanks, I appreciate it!

[@SaintKnight42]

Brilliant game, as these are from this time frame ❤🖤

[@jackruby6696]

You doing for guts from berserk haircut?

[@SamWithoutAPlan]

JONATHAN CHARLOTTE JONATHAN CHARLOTTE JONATHAN CHARLOTTE JONATHAN CHARLOTTE JONATHAN CHARLOTTE

[@foxelius7071]

I see an alternate timeline 90s ad where an apartment building is in an uproar over the “loud couple” next door, just to reveal some dude sitting on his couch playing this game.

[@numapompiilius]

I love the DS games but wish they didn't swich to the anime style.

[@alejandrofrancetich4607]

@18:26 Guess what?? 😀

[@yuumijungle548]

here is a good advice: dont ever sell your longsword, learned the hard way

[@brianteague840]

Is there any way to play this now, without a DS?

[@SimplyAJ]

Mm, well there hasn't been any sort of re-release if that's what you mean. So officially? No. Unofficially? Well, a quick internet search will give you the answer and method haha

[@slothsauce4043]

👍

[@Zarathustra-rj4yz]

JONATHAN

[@pablocau3792]

Day 10: Yes. I'm also here to say that Jrose should play Pokemon Blue Kaizo. This is getting out of hand...

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

Sadly there's still no DS collection 🥲

[@SimplyAJ]

Still hoping it happens, one day!

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

@@SimplyAJ im seriously checking Castlevania news every week just to see if something is in the works, no luck yet... but im still hopeful for sure!

[@alexh2790]

There is now!

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

@@alexh2790 my man, you just made my day, i've been waiting for this for sooooo long

[@alexh2790]

@@EmilForsberg_GRYBO Mine too!

[@salamanje]

YOU ARE beautiful

[@pedroruiz6719]

jrose brought me here =D

[@SimplyAJ]

Hey there, welcome!

[@robertoahj]

I came because of Jrose11

[@SimplyAJ]

Thanks for comin' by!

[@DaddyDizz716]

Here because of JRose11 Keep me entertained

[@SimplyAJ]

Welcome! I'll do my best haha.

[@satansjihad6353]

Underated game.

[@SimplyAJ]

Agreed!

[@maxinekanner5434]

I think Order of Eclesia is better