Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2003
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 125 Ratings

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  • Summary: Set in the 11th Century, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence thrusts players ten centuries into the past and casts them in the role of Leon Belmont, the forefather of the legendary Belmont. Leon is a nobleman about to be engaged to his beloved Sara. However, when his young lover disappears oneSet in the 11th Century, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence thrusts players ten centuries into the past and casts them in the role of Leon Belmont, the forefather of the legendary Belmont. Leon is a nobleman about to be engaged to his beloved Sara. However, when his young lover disappears one fateful evening, Leon sets out to rescue her. Armed with only a dagger, it is not until an unexpected ally, an alchemist, offers him a protective whip that Leon is ready to begin his hunt. The rich story of Castlevania: Lament of Innocence follows Leon through the perilous forest and into Dracula's foreboding gothic Castle. Upon entering the castle, players will step into an ethereal world that is guarded by blood thirsty guards and ruled by Dracula's wicked whimsy. Players will face five doors - each one leading into a dark area of the castle - the Cathedral, the Theatre, the Garden, the Alchemist Laboratory and the Dungeon. Trekking through hundreds of rooms, players will battle over 35 different kinds of enemies before facing the final boss. Fighting tooth and nail in each monster battle, Leon must combine his whip and five sub-weapons (Holy Water, Dagger, Cross, Axe and Crystal) to defeat the monsters. Additionally, seven orbs can be combined with 10 action relics in order to create powerful attacks and stunning special effects. Featuring a fixed camera and intuitive controls, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence delivers a groundbreaking action/adventure experience that is designed to satisfy core Castlevania fans as well as players that are new to the series.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. GamePro
    100
    Complete with giant bosses, exciting gameplay, days of exploration, and an involving narrative, this is the best Castlevania game in years. More importantly, it’s Castlevania in 3D but done right.
  2. IGN
    90
    While it can definitely be beaten the first time through in less than eight to 10 hours, its plethora of hidden goodies, unlockable playable characters, and incredible Halloween-like atmosphere should give fans more than enough reasons to go back. But more than anything else, it's just plain fun.
  3. Deeko
    85
    The camera is a bit odd and the fact that almost all of the RPG elements have been removed may turn some people off, but the fact remains that Lament of Innocence is a fantastic classically inspired game that both hardcore fans of the series and action/platform gamers can enjoy.
  4. Game Informer
    80
    Almost feels like an exercise (albeit a beautiful-looking one) exploring many of the franchise's classic components. But the end result just proves that Castlevania is more than a set of ideas, it's a gameplay experience that remains not fully realized. [Nov 2003, p.138]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameReviewer
    78
    But when you forget about those flaws for a minute, the fact remains that the game can easily pull you into its grasp and keep you there for 10 to 20 hours. When the credits roll, you'll likely feel quite satisfied.
  6. GameNow
    75
    Once you get bored with the combat, Lament of Innocence will get pretty tedious. But luckily, the combat is pretty cool. [Dec 2003, p.52]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Gamer.tv
    50
    This game plods, frustrates and bores in equal measure - stick a stake in it.

See all 45 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 55
  3. Negative: 2 out of 55
  1. LopsterPopster
    Mar 27, 2012
    10
    Probably my favorite game of all time. Maybe it's just the nostalgic value, but I am still madly in love with this game. I've memorized allProbably my favorite game of all time. Maybe it's just the nostalgic value, but I am still madly in love with this game. I've memorized all the cutscenes and can recite them by heart (and have been for years). The character development is wonderful, the storyline is great (I loved the fact it showed how the Belmont clan began), the soundtrack is SPECTACULAR, and the gameplay was incredibly addicting. I love playing as both Leon and Joachim, but the Pumpkin was incredibly silly and fun. It was the first attempt at a 3D Castlvania game since Castlevania 64 (another great one) and Konami did not fail to deliver a great game. The Forgotten One is the most grotesque and most difficult boss in the game, but the black orb received after beating it is quite worth it in my opinion. It's an amazing game that I reccommend to everyone.… Expand
  2. JimmyW.
    Nov 24, 2003
    10
    The game is a lot like devil may cry but the fact that the monsters come back is good because if you complete the game you can just go back The game is a lot like devil may cry but the fact that the monsters come back is good because if you complete the game you can just go back and fight for fun and if you complete the game you can play as Joachim the vampire with the five swords swinging around him I think the over all game is very good best castlevania yet.… Expand
  4. Joob
    Jan 10, 2021
    10
    Fantastic game worth every single penny. Has the best 3D CV atmosphere, great combat, fantastic bosses, and the music is amazing. 10/10.
  5. MathewG.
    Oct 29, 2003
    9
    It would get a 10 but its looks a great rip-off of devil may cry.
  6. GuillermoT.
    Nov 28, 2003
    9
    It's what everyone expected.
  7. ylnylmn
    Sep 24, 2021
    8
    It was short but good. The story was good, I personally loved the voiceovers. Graphics and atmosphere are good. The music is great. BossIt was short but good. The story was good, I personally loved the voiceovers. Graphics and atmosphere are good. The music is great. Boss fights are good but easy.Level design is somewhat repetitive. And since there are no teleport rooms, backtracking takes a little longer. I didn't like the skill unlocking thing. The variety of items is low, but the variety of orb and whip is nice. I wish there was a better level design, for example, the metroidvania feature was not good. It was a bit linear that I wanted a more complex Some puzzles were nice. in general, it was a good game, I enjoyed it, I was not bored. Especially the last part of the game was very good.… Expand
  8. JimJ.
    Oct 28, 2003
    0
    This game is too much like a washed-out version of DMC. Zzzzz....

See all 55 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best PS2 Game of 2003
20
#20 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
29
#29 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003