Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is a game in Konami's Castlevania series of video games. The game was released on December 5th of 2006 for the Nintendo DS.

Story
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Portrait of Ruin gives the player control of two different characters: vampire hunter Jonathan Morris and the young sorceress Charlotte Aulin. Jonathan and Charlotte were childhood friends both descended from legendary clans devoted to the protection of mankind against the forces of evil. Jonathan Morris is the son of Castlevania: Bloodlines' hero, John Morris. Unlike the Belmont family, to whom they are related, the Morrises cannot use the full power of the legendary "Vampire Killer" whip by default. Charlotte Aulin is descended from the Fernandez/Belnades clan, a bloodline known for their magical prowess.

The Vampire Artist, Brauner, has revived Dracula's Castle in order to bring ruin to the world, and it is up to Jonathan and Charlotte to stop him. Upon reaching the castle, Jonathan and Charlotte are met with Vincent, a priest who was sent in order to assist in the destruction of Castlevania. While exploring the castle, Jonathan and Charlotte encounter a mysterious ghost by the alias of Wind, who is able to impart his knowledge and skills with the pair, while acting as a mentor towards Jonathan. Shortly afterwards, Jonathan and Charlotte discover one of Brauner's many portraits, used to control the castle powers. Understanding the composition of the Portrait, Charlotte was able to deduce that in order to sever the link, and essentially weaken Brauner, that they must enter the world within the painting and destroy the evil within. After defeating the headless knight, Dullahan, they are met with Stella, who informs them that they had marginally weakened Brauner's powers.

After discovering the second portrait, Jonathan and Charlotte encounter Brauner himself, who denies any plot to revive Dracula, citing that he has no allegiance with the Dark Lord due to his continued failures. While traversing one of the many hallways, the pair eventually encounter Death, who is under the belief that Dracula has already been revived. When he discovers otherwise, Death understands the situation and devises a plot to use Jonathan and Charlotte for his own needs.

Shortly after this, Jonathan and Charlotte encounter Stella in the Tower of Death, upon her defeat, drops a pendant revealing the true nature of the vampiric sisters, and the ghost Wind. After seeking the truth, Wind reveals that he is actually the ghost of Eric Lecarde, and that Stella and Loretta are his daughters, he asks that Jonathan and Charlotte try to find a way to restore them to their former selves. Later on, the pair encounter and challenge Death, despite Death;s desire to not be associated with Brauner, and reluctantly fights them. After much exploration, Charlotte was able to learn the Sanctuary spell, a powerful spell with the innate ability to dispel the curse of vampirism, and allow the dead to rest in peace, it becomes clear that this is the only way to save Stella and Loretta, resulting in Jonathan and Charlotte hunting down the sisters in an attempt to rescue them.

After the relentless battle, Stella and Loretta regain their senses, and tell Jonathan they are able to awake the dormant powers of the Vampire Killer. Jonathan takes them up on their offer and fights against the Whip's Memory; the legendary Richter Belmont. After the battle, Jonathan was realised as the true heir to the Vampire Killer and was able to awaken its powers. After being warned not to overuse the power of the whip, Jonathan was told that in order to defeat Brauner, he and Charlotte must enter Brauner's studio, which was sealed with the power of four locks. After gaining access to his studio, Jonathan and Charlotte are finally able to defeat Brauner, at which time, he curses them and says he was only trying to protect his family. At this time, Death notices his opportunity and deals the finishing blow to Brauner, thus destroying the seal on the Throne Room of the castle, and allowing Dracula's revival. During the subsequent battle, Dracula and Death are nearly defeated, when Death offers his soul to Dracula, to awaken his true form. After a fierce battle, Dracula was finally defeated, and Castlevania destroyed. With his soul no longer bound to the castle, Eric was to soon fade from the Earth, and in one last goodbye, managed to see his daughters and tell them to not blame themselves. The adventure comes to a close with Jonathan, Charlotte, Stella and Loretta all frantically searching for Vincent, who is believed to be trapped in the rubble of Castlevania, unbeknownst to them, he was trying to catch up to them.

Character Gallery
See also 

Gameplay
Like "Julius mode" from Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, gamers will be able to switch freely between the two heroes to best utilize their abilities in the battle against the vampires' army. They will also be able to combine their powers to use combo attacks.

Jonathan and Charlotte will explore environments such as Egyptian deserts and misty towns via paintings which Brauner has dispersed throughout the castle. During the adventure, the heroes will fight over 150 enemies. As they progress, the duo will learn new skills and acquire equipment and items. Much of the equipment found is unique to each character (i.e. the Holy Veil is only for Charlotte, and the Samurai Helmet is only for Jonathan).

Portrait of Ruin supports the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection with a co-op mode and shop mode.



Stages
In-Castle Stages
 * Entrance - BGM Invitation of a Crazed Moon
 * Great Stairway - BGM Jail of Jewels
 * Buried Chamber - BGM Silent Prison
 * Tower of Death - BGM The Gears Go Awry
 * Master's Keep - BGM Gaze Up At the Darkness

Portraits
 * City of Haze (In Entrance) - BGM Victorian Fear
 * Nation of Fools (In Great Stairway) - BGM Chaotic Playground
 * Sandy Grave (In Great Stairway) - BGM Hail From the Past
 * Forest of Doom (In Tower of Death) - BGM The Hidden Curse

Bonus Portraits
 * Dark Academy (In Master's Keep, Remix of Forest of Doom) - BGM Crucifix Held Close
 * Burnt Paradise (In Master's Keep, Remix of Nation of Fools) - BGM Behind the Gaze
 * Forgotten City (In Master's Keep, Remix of Sandy Grave) - BGM Sandfall and In Search of the Secret Spell
 * 13th Street (In Master's Keep, Remix of City of Haze) - BGM Iron Blue Intentions

Related Pages

 * Category:Portrait of Ruin
 * Category:Portrait of Ruin Items
 * Castlevania:Portrait of Ruin Bestiary
 * Castlevania:Portrait of Ruin Bestiary

Related Products

 * Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Original Soundtrack
 * Castlevania 20th Anniversary Deluxe Music Collection - This sampler Anniversary CD was given away as a preorder bonus to this game
 * Gallery of Labyrinth Flash Minigame - A related flash minigame on the Japanese official page for this game
 * Official Koma - Comic panels associated with this game
 * Castlevania: Bloodlines - The game this game is a sequel to
 * Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - The previous game in the Dual Screen series (not chronologically)
 * Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - The next game in the Dual Screen series (not chronologically)