Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Video Review (Xbox 360)

Is this US only? I cant find it on the market...

this game is best to get in a compilation because of similarity to older castlevania games

The character movement and animation looks awful. Just look at them run! It looks like they are always running against a gust of wind.

PSN's getting this game too with all DLC included in purchase.

ps3 release please

nate1222 well said man the game dose kick ass iv been playing since day 1 and hod is fun its nice to have a cold one and play with a buddy or 5 lol in my book this was the right way to go and with the new dlc it kicks more ass

I actually didn't think the review was too bad. It's inspired me to give the game another shot, despite playing the demo and not exactly getting it.

My brother downloaded Castlevania HoD and he loves it. We've been fans of the series since the 8-Bit NES days.

I can't believe this got the same review rating as Lords of Shadow. HoD is merely amusing, and that's only if you have a friend or two to play it with. Otherwise, it fails to live up to the legacy of the great 2D Vanias that came before it. Why not give us a brand new, full fledged 2D CV on the home consoles instead of this flash-in-the-pan multiplayer crap?

Man he's mumbling like heck

The review of this game is good, but it lacks any kind of enthusiasm. A good review becomes boring to watch or hear when the reviewer himself isn't giving his all to entertain us and drag us in.

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

This guy sound VERY boring...good game though.

I really like the co-op aspect, but I get the impression that the game is sort of rushed together and recycled. Put some love into it Konami

I played the game trial. It was really hard for me to get into...

why is this only for 360 M$ damn YOUUU!

I feel Konami is jumping on the multiplayer bandwagon only because it's been popular lately. I don't see why they'd release a Castlevania with high def dot art and make it multiplayer. It feels more like Harmony of Disgrace to the franchise just to make a buck out of the IP and the series, rather than a full fledged 2D Castlevania we've been waiting for that's not on a handheld. And I can't see the point of being able to see the whole level right from the start. It's like seeing a movie trailer where the whole plot and ending are revealed. Disappointing...

The review was bland in tone. I'm thinking about getting the game. not sure yet though.

The reviewer didn't seem very interested in the game but to be fair, neither am I!

lost me at 6 player co-op, get outttaaaa here.

Nice review. Looks pretty cool

@nate1222 I agree but then theres a difference between having a retro "vibe" and actually just using stuff thats 10 years old at least...when he said there are graphics lifted straight out of older games in the franchise he meant literally. Play through symphony of the night and you'll see a lot of the enemies and backgrounds (and one character in particular) that this game is recycling... Its just not on when a game is being billed and charged for as new :(

well...he makes it sound so thrilling.... and what is it with game developers today? Why do so many games have to based around multiplayer play!?!? I HATE multiplayer play Ive played enough I just want a good single player ... basically it annoys me how devs take a game I can depend on to be a great single player experience and turn it into something that I need complete strangers to enjoy properly...

Castlevania Harmony of Despair looks freaking sweet! If I were a 360 owner, it'd be on my "GET" list! I'm so very sick of reviewers griping about graphics. There are plenty of gorgeous games that suck. And as 2D games go, the Castlevanias look good. Part of Castlevania's charm is its RETRO 2D vibe. I still own and love the GBA and DS Castlevanias and SotN is a classik. ----------------------------------------------------It's bad enough that the console makers and mega-publishers bribe-out these damn reviewers, but then they try to shoot down really good niche games by dissing things that the fans don't even have a problem with.

Fml, I just HAD to get a red ring of death the other day...And yes my 360 is too old to send back and get a new one for free. Looks like I'm gonna have to buy a new one, either that or one of the red ring of death repair tricks. Nonetheless, this still looks like a great game and I'm still gonna buy it. I just wish that damn timer wasn't there...

Update to my previous comment: I downloaded the game last night. So far I've only played it single player, and I love it. However, it helps that I have played Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia and Symphony of the Night. I haven't even tried multiplayer yet. I have to say I prefer single player Castlevania, but I'm open to a new experience.

computer generated speech... wow...

Well, at least now I know why Giancarlo sounded so different. Do get well soon, Giancarlo!

Im sorry difficult? This game is mostly beyond easy, 5 minutes at most for each level me and my friends just keep dying on the(idk maybe spoiler alert?) last boss' final form

Take back what I said, just played this with friends and omg its good:) wish they had a level up system though and you can't really play it alone due to not being able to get alot of the chests but either way it is a fun game:) also...wish there was a story.

@irishkale There is a female voice reviewer. Jane Douglas reviewed Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

This was completely fanfare so i think it deserves a higher score but otherwise I agree with the review about the controls and the diffilculty but the music and visuals are spot on could they have done more on a 360 yes but they never were because its for the fans and the fans like the old graphics so they stuck with their strengths.

got the game its awesome its deep... if you have half a brain you can figure out how to play... but it drops people alot in game lobbies and in game... which leads to minor frustration overall a really rewarding experience though... if you think you might want it GET IT...

Why is there never a female voice reviewer? Hey bout promoting SOPHIA TONG to the review team, Gamespot bigwigs?

@jmaybury . With sincere respect, I had no intention of belittling Giancarlo and I hope his voice indeed recovers and wish him well. . My comment was purely that, a comment. His voice did sound computer generated or robotic and I found it really distracting to listen too. I would have preferred someone else to perform the voice over and wouldn't even suggest you use a robotic voice during your video reviews. . Get well soon Giancarlo and top marks for hanging in there!!!.

This Game Plays nothing like any of the "DS". You can only equip items and see your stat screen with you find a "Book Podium". So id you find a New Sword or Armor, you'll have to backtrack or wait till you find another Book Podium. Also even in single player, you cant pause the game, it still acts as tho you are Online. So if you need to walk away from the game for a minute, you will have to hide your characer somewhere safe. Also the 30 min time limit for each level makes you want to go to the finish right away rather than fully exploring the "Castle". If your looking for a "DS" Castlevania game, this ain't it. This is basically a streamlined Multiplayer Castlevania only. I say 5.0 out of 10. Def play the Demo First.

This looks like the awesomest DS game EVER!!! *someone whispers in my ear* What?! XBL? ... that's stupid.

oh and yes you can play single player. the game is just harder when you do

if you've ever tried one of the online modes for the ds versions you have an idea of what to expect here. actually the game really does feel like a bonus mode to the game they SHOULD have made. it's a decent challenge and it's entertaining enough but it doesnt scratch the castlevania itch i have. i actually booted up harmony of dissonance for the gba.

These comment sections are designed for people to discuss the game or the game review itself, which we are taking advantage of. If the reviewer was sick, get someone else to review it, otherwise the content on this site will suffer. Jmaybury, as an employee of gamespot you should not have to be told this. To JoeDivision, well...takes one to know one, I suppose.

@Sophia i dont want to be mean to the guy or disrespect him in any way, but if i was sick i would just hand it over to someone else so that the job would be done right and it would give the game a proper presentation and so that dumb people like me wont make silly comments like i did. I should have read jmayburry's comment so my bad on my part. Dont mean to disrespect you Glancario.

@MichaeltheCM read jmaybury's comment below. I'm sure it's much easier for you to communicate with text, but it's a bit more challenging to have to do a voice over while being sick.

I had no problem with his voice

jmaybury more like a bunch of massive pricks thats what they are

haha the reviewer shouldnt review another game until he takes some communication courses or training

@acer_062 @CrimzonPsycho @ Col_Kilgore Geeze people. You are so brutal. Giancarlo is a trooper, in real life land people get sick, and his voice is almost non-existent right now, but he's still here, working hard at his job to bring you this review in a timely manner. We could have used someone else to read it, or postponed it completely, but he wanted to present it himself. We are just normal people too. I can start to use a robot voice over all video reviews from now on if that?s what you really want.

@ rajhoot the older game castlevania sotn look and plays so much better than this and is cheaper than this and also it last long. this game is just pure crap download the demo and trust me u will be disappointed big time.

Looks fun

Can we at least hear more about how the single player functionality works? Can you even play the game singe player only? This review didn't do it for me. I am a hardcore Castlevania fan and would want to play single player!

Yeah I look like a fool with those buns...sure. lol