Castlevania: Harmony of Despair

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 53
  3. Negative: 11 out of 53

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  1. Yakuul
    Aug 16, 2010
    7
    An interesting idea for a game. I give it a 7 versus a lower score due to it being a relatively novel idea and working well in what it attempts to accomplish (i.e. being a multiplayer metroidvania style game). However, it can feel sluggish at times, and the feeling of exploration and discovery is noticeably absent once you've finished the paltry 6 levels. Granted, finding new items isAn interesting idea for a game. I give it a 7 versus a lower score due to it being a relatively novel idea and working well in what it attempts to accomplish (i.e. being a multiplayer metroidvania style game). However, it can feel sluggish at times, and the feeling of exploration and discovery is noticeably absent once you've finished the paltry 6 levels. Granted, finding new items is always exciting, but it seems like there is too much grinding to be done. Overall, I find HoD to be a positive experience and worth a try, but perhaps only for those who are fans of the series. Playing a game like this really makes you thirst for a real Castlevania 2-D adventure on an HD console, though...… Expand
  2. Andy
    Aug 12, 2010
    6
    GameZone 55 The entire game can be completed in under an hour with an organized team, although a Hard difficulty will test the skills of the most devoted fans. Beyond that, there is nothing to keep players' interests past an initial run.
  3. ericGraves
    Aug 14, 2010
    6
    Sacrifices were made to change castlevania into a multiplayer experience. Unfortunately the dissection of a large castle into many smaller ones reduces the need to explore past sections the way other castlevanias did. Then to increase longevity they made really amazing drops very rare. While these sacrifices do severely hamper the castlevania experience they do allow for multiplayer fun.Sacrifices were made to change castlevania into a multiplayer experience. Unfortunately the dissection of a large castle into many smaller ones reduces the need to explore past sections the way other castlevanias did. Then to increase longevity they made really amazing drops very rare. While these sacrifices do severely hamper the castlevania experience they do allow for multiplayer fun. On the other hand the single player experience is more of a crawl. If you find games fun where you are farming bosses for loot (like an mmorpg end game) and are a fan of good responsive 2d gameplay you will find this game enjoyable. Just don't go in thinking it will feel like castlevania.… Expand
  4. storygamer
    Mar 16, 2022
    7
    As a hardcore Castlevania fan, I was a bit disappointed of Harmony Of Despair. It lacks the oldschool vibe, even if the 2D look is kind of charming. It´s not bad at all, but it lacks innovation and fan service...

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 62
  3. Negative: 6 out of 62
  1. GameZone
    55
    The entire game can be completed in under an hour with an organized team, although a Hard difficulty will test the skills of the most devoted fans. Beyond that, there is nothing to keep players' interests past an initial run.
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  2. BigPond GameArena
    60
    If you aren't familiar with the difficulty of the Castlevania games previous to SotN you will probably see Castlevania HD as nothing but an exercise in frustration. If you want to get into Castlevania you can pick up the excellent Symphony of the Night from the Xbox Live Marketplace - and while it doesn't have multiplayer you're much more likely to have a good time.
    Read full review
  3. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    70
    Once you've clocked enough playthroughs to upgrade your character's stats and worked out each enemy's attack patterns, the game starts to open up and you'll find yourself enjoying the run-throughs.
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