Incredible Metroidvania with great music, fresh mechanics, and lots of items, weapons, and techniques to try.

This game reminds me a lot of Castlevania Symphony of the Night, which is high praise. It has the RPG element that keeps Castlevania engaging enough to enjoy. Additionally, you can switch between two characters at will and sometimes solve basic puzzles with the two characters (have this character pull this lever, while the other jumps past an obstacle etc.) Love the game. Plenty of fun to be had.

Recently got into the Castlevania series thanks to Simon and Richter being added to Smash Bros Ultimate. Even though I have played maybe 1/2 - 3/4 of this game, it is probably one of my top favorites.

This while not being one of my favorite is an amazing castlevania game that has alot to offer gameplay wise. This game gives you a varied range of weapons to choose from and great settings to traverse. After finishing the main game how ever you can unlock multiple bonus modes to replay the game as classic Richter and Maria famed from Rondo of Blood or this games own Stella and Loretta Vampiric sisters in their own quest through the castle. Their is also a bonus mode to try playing as the Old Axe Armor, iconic to the Castlevania series.

I have been playing this for about a week and absolutely love it.

I thought it was mediocre returned it 3 days later with playing once but not worth keeping

This is probably the best Castlevania game I've played on DS. Honestly, I'm a hardcore Castlevania fan; I have the time line memorized etc. etc. but Portrait of Ruin was jaw-dropping. Dawn of Sorrow was great, maybe it would have been perfect without the touch screen gimmicks. Order of Eccesia was okay for new comers, but fans HATED it! Portrait of Ruin's storyline is aimed a little more towards kids, but its still good. Gameplay is superb and the sprites(graphics) are INCREDIBLE. The sprites in this game put all others to shame. If you are a fan of the series like myself, or a newcomer, this game is great!

Once again, another Metriod-vania title holds the candle to the Castlevania franchise. Vampire hunting is as fun as ever as you play Jonathan Morris, wielder of the Hunter's whip, and Charlotte, his magic-using friend. The typical video-game duo. Unfortunately, this game is haunted by something more than just ghost and ghouls. For all the fun in this game, it's new gameplay elements aren't very well thought out. Whose bright idea was it to have a mastering system for sub-weapons? It's merely an excuse for level-grinding. Not only that, it's annoying! Whenever you try to use sub-weapons constantly to level them up, you tend to run out of MP too quickly and you have to collect hearts somewhere. If no more hearts can be found, you have to re-enter the room. Again, and again, and again. Lather, rinse, repeat. It get tiresome and repetitive after a while. Also, who knew Richter Belmont (or at least, the Whip's memory of him) was weak against Cream Pie, one of the many weird sub-weapons you thought was useless? Are the Belmonts lactose-intolerant? As for the heroic duo's teamwork system, it's a great idea, but not very well executed. Even though they have to work together to solve puzzles and proceed onward, it's a far cry from other games involving teamwork. In the end, it's like you're playing Castlevania 3 for the NES whereby you could switch between characters. Even though the final bosses (SPOILER ALERT!!) Dracula and Death tries to use the teamwork system against you, which you'd think would prompt the player into pulling off something only BOTH of our heroes can achieve, but in fact, can be beaten by a single expert player. What a waste of good potential.

I received my DS for Christmas 2009 and I bought Portrait of Ruin at the local Gamestop a few days later. I have loved the Castlevania series since the NES days--except for Judgment for the Wii (Don't buy it!). I am not disappointed with this game. The graphics are great. The soundtrack is superior and fits every location. Not being a hardcore gamer, this game has its challenges. Even though I have the strategy guide (both th Brady one and one from the net), I can't seem to get past Death aka the Grim Reaper. I like having the option of have both characters (Jonathon and Charlotte) on the screen at the same time. I don't necessarily understand Wind's quests, but that may be just me. Also, there are areas where enemies continually pop up, so if you want to increase your experience, you can visit these places (of which I am doing--shooting for at leat 700 exp. points). Overall: good game, lived up to Castlevania standards, and if you have the chance, get a copy!

this was my second castlevania game that I ever owned. this and dawn of sorrow are by far 2 of the best ds games ive ever played. the bosses are hard if you dont have the right weapon or dual crush equipped and if you do, well all that i would say is to watch their attack patterns. the game is fun to either mess around with or actually try to beat( I recommend actually trying to beat it) this game has many fun and challenging quests, fun weapons and magic to discover and buy, and the enemies are varied and the bosses can be actually fun to face ( if you know what you are doing). for those who want the most from the game, I recommend using the strategy guide to help with the quests.