Introduction
Basic information
Developer Name: KONAMI
Full Name: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia — Dominus Collection
Release Date: 2024
Released on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X|S/One, PC
Cross Play: Not applicable (single-player)
Initial thoughts
The Dominus Collection feels like cracking open a well-kept cartridge case and breathing in the late-DS era again. It preserves the sharp edges and quiet elegance of Ecclesia while smoothing just enough of the old friction with thoughtful options. Credit to KONAMI: this is preservation handled with care rather than compromise.
I have always been a big fan of Castlevania, so this Dominus Collection sparks hope for a finally new 2D Castlevania game! Seeing Order of Ecclesia restored on modern systems stirred the same mixture of respect and nerves I felt in 2008.
Story and setting
Plot overview
Shanoa’s journey is a measured, melancholy push against Dracula’s shadow. The Dominus glyphs are both salvation and burden, and the narrative keeps its dignity by showing more than it tells, small rescues, wary alliances, and a steady walk toward the inevitable castle.
World building and immersion
Shanoa’s composure and gradual self-reclamation remain compelling. Villagers aren’t just quest markers; rebuilding their lives nudges the town from desolation to community. Each face you help gives the world a little more light.
Character development
Ecclesia’s ending still lands, and the road there is dotted with quiet, personal victories: a shop reopened, a promise kept, a boss pattern finally understood. Nostalgia deepens the ache; the collection lets those beats breathe without rushing them.
Emotional impact
From storm-kissed coasts to moonlit forests, areas feel like folklore chapters. The collection’s display layouts keep maps and lore accessible, so exploration retains that one more room rhythm that defines classicvania flow.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story, and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with a 9.
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
The Glyph System is the star in this game. There are back slots, spell-strikes, and traversal tricks that invite experimentation. Stage-based progression funnels naturally into the sprawling castle, turning skill checks into celebrations of everything you’ve learned.
Difficulty and balance
Tough but fair. Early enemies teach spacing and timing; late bosses demand intention, not grind. Rewind and quick saves (if you use them) feel like practice tools, not shortcuts, great for rehearsing tricky sections without dulling the satisfaction.
Pacing of the game
Village rescues unlock shops, quests, and move-set opportunities at a steady clip. The world map keeps momentum brisk, then the castle slows you down in the best way: deliberate, methodical, and rewarding.
Innovation and uniqueness
Among 2D Castlevanias, Ecclesia still feels distinct: curated stages before the grand sprawl, glyph loadouts over loot spigots, and movement tech (like magnetic anchors) that reshapes routes.
Controls and user interface
Responsive inputs, sensible button mapping, and clean menus. Dual-screen information is handled gracefully with modern layout options, no squinting, no guesswork.
Microtransactions
None. This is a one-and-done purchase with features that respect your time.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with an 9.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
The quality of the graphics evokes a sense of nostalgia. I loved revisiting all these places, and traversing them made me stop at certain points to admire the scenery. Or even the dangerous monsters on the journey.
Technical performances
Stable and snappy across platforms, with quick suspend/resume and low input latency. Pixel art scales nicely; optional filters help if you prefer a softer look.
Environment and design uniqueness
Ecclesia’s art direction is disciplined: stark coastlines, severe stonework, and elegant enemy silhouettes. It’s not flashy; it’s confident—and that confidence has aged beautifully.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 8.5
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
A setlist of steel and velvet, melodies that push you forward without coddling. Tracks feel like letters from a time when game music had to be memorable, not just loud.
Sound effects quality
Crisp strike sounds, readable tells, and environmental cues that make rooms feel alive (or properly dead).
Voice Acting
Minimal and unobtrusive, the music and atmosphere do the narrative lifting.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 7.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
A substantial campaign with plentiful side hunts, villager requests, and post-castle clean-up. It’s dense without being bloated.
Extra Content
Quality of life options like rewind, quick saves, display presets add modern comfort. Challenge runs and completionist goals are more approachable without losing pride of mastery.
Replay value
High. Glyph experimentation, time-trial mindsets, and 100% town restoration make repeat runs feel purposeful rather than perfunctory.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Castlevania Order of Ecclesia with a 9.
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
– Add optional developer commentary or art galleries tied to areas and bosses.
– A curated challenge room rush with preset glyph loadouts.
-A few extra pixel-scaling presets per platform for purists.
Comparisons
Compared with Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin, Ecclesia is leaner and sterner, closer to Rondo of Blood in temperament. Within the collection, it’s the anchor piece: a study in restraint that still thrills.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
I really liked revisiting the difficult Castlevania game; there is a lot more to explore compared to other games, monsters to hunt, villagers to rescue, and secrets tucked behind try this glyph here moments. Coming back felt like meeting an old teacher: still demanding, still fair, and somehow kinder because time has taught me to be more patient.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Castlevania Order of Ecclesia, I give it a personal rating of 9.5
Last words
Pros
- Superb Glyph System with deep loadout expression
- Tight, fair difficulty that teaches rather than punishes
- Stage-to-castle pacing that builds momentum and payoffs
- Town/villager restoration that meaningfully impacts progression
- Elegant, enduring sprite work and enemy silhouettes
- Evocative soundtrack that balances drive and melancholy
- Rewind/quick save that work as honest practice tools
- Smart dual-screen adaptation with readable maps/data
- Strong performance and responsive controls on modern hardware
- No microtransactions; respectful, complete package
- High replay value via challenge runs and completion routes
- Nostalgic presentation that honors the DS era without fossilizing it
- Thoughtful UI and sensible button mapping
- A difficulty curve that rewards learning, not grinding
Cons
- Visual purists may want even finer-grained pixel/filter options
- The on-ramp can still be stern for newcomers
- Sparse VO may leave a few late-game scenes underplayed
The Dominus Collection doesn’t just reissue Order of Ecclesia; it restores its context and its confidence. It’s a reminder that 2D Castlevania could be exacting without being cruel, stylish without being gaudy, and heartfelt without saying much at all. This is how you keep a classic alive and how you make a new generation fall in love with it. Now give me a new 2D Castlevania!
FINAL RATING
9
Please let me know what you think of Castlevania Order of Ecclesia in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review. I hope to see you in the next review!
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Fans of the series this is a must play! For some reason didn’t feel the music as much as other entries.
The music is also a bit personal!
Sounds like I should definitely play this one once I get to the collection!
Thanks for showcasing this game! 😁
I hope you will enjoy the game!
Great reviews! I’d love to play them all, but I just can’t seem to find the time.
Where to look for time?
Woah, that’s a really high rating… Guess I’m too young to properly enjoy these, lol. 😆
Fun fact, the throne room seen in the Screenshot of the Week #169 (final fight, between Shanoa and Dracula) is the one used as a model for the room in the Dead Cells x Castlevania collab!
Lol, I know, but I still need to replay Dead Cells again!
The art-style and the amount of care they took to design those levels make it very appealing, and I would have gone for even a bit higher score in that section. 😀
And that glyph system sounds like it would do great for a rogue-like game—the boss rush mode with random glyph rolls sounds appropriate!
It is a very fun system; I like switching glyphs!
Looks indeed interesting. Thanks for the review. :-). I might give it a shot someday.
Maybe you should!
The game looks amazing. Thank hou for making this review to show us whether it is worth getting or not.
I am glad you liked the review!
So its a game that might be a lil tough at first to get into, but once you persevere a bit, you will not be able to get out!
I had a fun time exploring every nook and cranny!
I really enjoy the visual pixel style. You say “Tough but fair” … sounds very good to me! Nowadays I am much more into not-so-hardcore games. I don’t want to spend too much time on grinding
You might need to grind a little bit!
The game looks good from all angles, and finally something that is available on PC!
You should try the collection, it comes with two other fun games as well!
thats quite a positive review… damn i guess gotta try it even tho i dont like the genre
Maybe you should try it!
The more castlevania reviews I read here, tho more I think I should give them a go. But I’m sooo bad at this kind of game XD
You will learn and get better!
Yea it looks like it is really a great game, im just curious to see the video next. I liked your previous reviews of old Castlevanias and it seems new Castlevania does not disappoint. On my wishlist, i think it isnt selled seperataly but as a collection?
It is indeed a collection; the other game is fun as well. Still need to play the third!
Pretty good to be able to play this on PC, it’s a nice collection
Yeah, I do believe this is on Steam.
Love the notes about respect for the original and more importantly, no microtransactions!
No microtransactions are the best!
I’m interested in the game, and reading your review makes me even more interested.
The only thing keeping me from playing this game is priority, time, and graphics..I’m not really a fan of NDS’s graphics.
The graphics have been spruced up a lot, if that helps!
Thanks for the presentation. A great compilation for those who aren’t familiar with the license.
I am glad you liked it!
A great compilation for those who aren’t familiar with the license.
The dual screen layout has been adapted quite well 🙂
It has indeed been adapted well!
The rewind/quick save function you mention will be a saver and remove a lot of stress for me, as I am not one that is great at platformers/action games. I hope they restore more older games this way.
They really should restore more older games!
“A difficulty curve that rewards learning, not grinding” sounds really nice! The game seems very well crafted and looks quite unique! I like the sound of duality between battles and emotional moments in the story!
It is indeed a good story, and a lot of neat battles!
Looks like a fun, nostalgic trip down memory lane. I really used to enjoy the Castlevania when I was younger, and it’d be nice to have them all, updated, and on steam.
Yes, I also want all the other Castlevania games on Steam!
The mix of atmosphere, challenge, and story here feels like classic Castlevania at its best, even if the DS visuals don’t hit for everyone
It is indeed a classic game!
I like this game. I like atmosphere and gameplay.
I am glad you like it!