I've sat down and cleared the first full stage and spent a totaly of 2 hours with it so here is a mini review
Gameplay: The longer you play the better it gets. As you defeat more and more enemys Leon learns a host of new attacks. Already I have this awesome move where, mid combo, leon grabs any lightweighted enemy, draws them in, and then you can do another full combo set off of that with say...the cross sub weapon. I've got up to 52 consecutive hits with over 400 in dammage (on the boss). The control is TIGHT, responsive, and flows perfectly. There really is no "Once you get the hang of it" its that smooth from the start.
Leon also has a host of dodge moves that also can be leveled up. For example I am on level 2 on my Dodging attacks so I can use a quick side step then a back flip to get in font of an enemy behind me, a few quick hits then do a double summersault mid combo to another part of the room or to dodge. A few reviews have complained about not being able to fill your MP gague quickly...they obviously didnt play very long. Early on Leon gets the "Perfect Guard" feature that works like the Just Defend system in MOTW. If you guard at the VERY last second a little "perfect" appears and you get a very conciderable ammount of MP back as well as hearts.
The HP and MP system does not work on a RPG scale, which is not a problem at all. These are upgraded by HP and MP containers you find strown throughout the castle. Added to the mix is an assortment or armor, accessories (like the Bloody Cape from SOTN) and items.
There is more to the gameplay but that should be enough for anybody to get their gums wet for this game.
Graphics: These are some of the most smooth and well put together polygons to grace the PS2. Everything in this game screams quality. I'll admit the rooms for each stage are a bit repetitive, but imagine trying to recreate say...the clocktower stage from SOTN in full 3D...it just wouldnt work. Each area has its own certian feel to it so the locals are not redundant for very long. But, for being a tad unoriginal in design, the backgrounds are simply beautiful, well sculpted, and ROOMY because of the awesome combat system.
Sound: There is nothing more to say of the music except that it is the BEST soundtrack I've heard since SOTN. Nuff said. The US version comes with a japanese/english language option. I have yet to hear the English, but the Japanese is top notch...and Leon's voice actor kind of sounds like Vash from Trigun when hes not being wacky. Its very very good. The sound effects themselves are traditional castlevania fair, nothing really new here.
Lasting appeal: The game does start out kinda slow in terms of the over all fun factor...but trust me, by about 40 or so minuites into the game (give or take depending on how fast you tread through a game) you'll be hooked. The game is damn difficult as well which is very much unlike SOTN where I breazed through the game the 20 or so times I've played through it. I've yet to find the game repetitive and know I'll be playing through the game over and over once this wave of good games stops comming. Its defininatly up there with the best of the castlevania games. LoI paints something new and mixes it with the best of the old. I think its a triumph as a game and can hardly wait for the next.
Overall: I DID NOT want a 3D SOTN, which is what I think a lot of people were expecting with it being from the same team. If I wanted another SOTN rehash I'd go to the GBA for that. As much as I love that formula in the Castlevania atmostphere, I was ready for something different and I think that LoI delivers that ten fold.
***As an english major, I would have say that this review is an absolute gramatical mess. My excuse is that it was typed in 4 minuites. This is due to the fact that I need to play more Castlevania.
can't wait to see what's in there.
