Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls (悪魔城ドラキュラ Grimoire of Souls Akumajō Dorakyura Grimoire of Souls?) is an action-adventure platformer game, part of the Castlevania series, developed and published by Konami. The game incorporates role-playing elements, such as character growth and an experience-based system, and includes a variety of single player and multiplayer modes (co-op and PvP).
The original version of the game was released on smartphones (iOS and Android) on September 20, 2019, exclusively in Canada, and was discontinued on September 9, 2020.[2] This version implemented the use of in-game currency and microtransactions.
On August 13, 2021, Konami announced that the game would be coming to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS and Mac via the Apple Arcade subscription service on September 17, 2021.[3] This re-release implements a number of changes over the original game, such as revised layouts, improved graphics and 3D models, and the removal of the "power system" since the game is no longer free.
Ayami Kojima returns as character designer for this game and the music score was provided by longtime composer of the series, Michiru Yamane.
Overview[]
- "A future where Count Dracula has been completely destroyed. It seemed like eternal peace came upon the world.
However, a letter delivered to Genya Arikado was about to put an end to that peaceful era.
In order to verify the meaning of the words written in the letter—“The Grimoire has ran wild and Count Dracula will be resurrected”—Genya Arikado heads off towards the letter’s sender…" - — Official synopsis
The storyline borrows elements from Castlevania: Harmony of Despair such as the Grimoire and the presence of characters from past Castlevania games that existed in different time periods.
Plot[]
- Main article: Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls/Plot
Prophesized to rise every hundred years,
descending the world into darkness."
"But there are those who stand
before the rising tide, heroes all."
"After centuries of battle, Dracula's
Castle was finally sealed within the
solar eclipse of 1999."
"Count Dracula was destroyed,
but then, one day..."
"While working with national security,
Genya Arikado receives a mysterious envelope."
"Unknown to many, his true identity
is Alucard, the son of Dracula."
"Within the envelope is a letter..."
"'The Grimoire has awoken.'
'The darkness comes.'"
"Beset by doubts, Alucard diligently
checks the moonlit sky to ensure
Dracula's Castle has not reappeared,
before setting out on a journey to find
the sender of the letter."
Grimoire of Souls,
a new page of a tragic history."
After receiving a letter from Lucy Westenra, Arikado ventures to the Elgos Building. There, Lucy addresses him on the Grimoires, magic books which contain information on all the past events of Castlevania, which are overflowing with dark power and beyond their control, hence needing the help of Arikado to restore order on them. Then, with appropriate magic created by Elgos, Arikado must enter the Grimoires and defeat the monsters inscribed into them for the dark power to dissipate, mainly the Core Monsters which have control over the Grimoires.
Characters[]
(voiced by Ryōtarō Okiayu/Chris Nelson) |
A persona of Alucard, assigned to a secretive Japanese government agency, his existence known only to a few. Incredibly striking features, but constantly perplexed by the intricacies of social interactions. | |
(voiced by Ryōtarō Okiayu/Chris Nelson) |
A dhampir born to a human mother and Count Dracula. While he has inherited dark powers, his mother's influence has allowed him to keep a human heart. | |
(voiced by Hideo Ishikawa/Ryan Drees) |
The most famous vampire hunter of the Belmont clan. An ultimate warrior possessing a body tempered through intense training and constant conflict. | |
(voiced by Yumi Kakuzu/Emily Reams) |
A gifted young witch affiliated with the Church. Powerful enough to be seen as the final weapon in the battle against Count Dracula, but lacks experience. | |
(Rondo of Blood) (voiced by Akari Kitō/Diana Garnet) |
A young vampire huntress distantly related to the Belmont clan. Despite being only 12 years old, she already possesses incredible magical prowess. | |
(voiced by Houko Kuwashima/Hannah Grace) |
A Glyph Master from the Order of Ecclesia. Absorbs Glyphs through the large rune on her back, using them to recreate anything in existence. | |
(voiced by Rie Takahashi/Thina Shimada) |
A young magical researcher assigned to the anti-Dracula agency. Possesses skills greater than her youth would suggest. Supports Arikado on his journeys into the Grimoires. She's housing him too... | |
(voiced by Kiyoyuki Yanada/Matthew Masaru Barron) |
Renowned as the strongest member of the Belmont clan, possessing an incredibly strong sense of justice. A master of unparalleled martial prowess. Acts as a brother to Maria. | |
(voiced by Takahiro Sakurai/Jon Sabay) |
A descendant of the Belmont clan of vampire hunters. Fought Dracula with his childhood friend, Charlotte Aulin. Despite appearing to completely lack drive, he is an accomplished warrior. | |
(Symphony of the Night) (voiced by Akari Kitō/Diana Garnet) |
Maria Renard at 17 years old. With greater control of the Four Sacred Beasts and skills honed on the bones of the vampires she has destroyed, Maria is a force to be reckoned with. | |
(voiced by Toshihiko Seki/Knox Clendenen) |
Ecclesia's Chief Researcher, combining scientific development with practical magical application. Channels glyph energy into bullets with his magical gun, Agartha. Acts as a brother to Shanoa. | |
(voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa/Jack Merluzzi) |
A reincarnation of Count Dracula. Possesses the ability to use the souls of monsters he has defeated in combat with his power of dominance. | |
(voiced by Yasunori Masutani/Michael Turpin) |
Along with Alucard, formed the first party to have ever defeated Dracula. Dramatically changed the fortunes of the Belmont Clan, who had been feared for their enormous stature. Simon's ancestor. | |
(voiced by Sayaka Ōhara/Hannah Grace) |
||
(voiced by Norio Wakamoto/Vinay Murthy) |
Alucard’s father and the legendary castle lord said to resurrect once every hundred years. He was sealed away in the 1999 eclipse and destroyed once and for all. | |
(voiced by Masaharu Satō) |
Dracula’s right-hand man. Vowing obedience for all of eternity, he will do anything for his master. |
Gameplay[]
- Main article: Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls/Gameplay
Gameplay is similar to 2D side-scrolling games in the series. Quests can be done in co-op with a second player, and there are multiplayer modes which can be played with up to four people. Characters can be improved to grow stronger, and fallen allies can be resurrected with a mechanic dubbed "Soul Resurrection".
The game made use of in-game currency and microtransactions, but all were removed in the Apple Arcade release.
Dialogue[]
- Main article: Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls/Script
Development[]
Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls was first announced on April 17, 2018. The game then went through closed-beta stage and was slated to be released on the iOS platform. The closed beta ended on May 22, 2018. The game, according to a Konami press sheet, would also be available on Android devices and be released worldwide in 2019.[4] Two more Castlevania products were released in the meantime: Castlevania Anniversary Collection and Castlevania Requiem.
News on Grimoire of Souls still being in development reemerged on September 2019, when an official trailer of the game was suddenly released without any prior announcement, although a release date was still not given. The game was finally made available on the Google App Store in Canada on the 20th of that same month, again, without any major announcement.
On July 8, 2020, it was announced that service for the game would be discontinued on September 9, 2020,[2] without never having seen any export release. To coincide with that date, players were no longer able to purchase Gems since the day of the game's closure announcement.
However, twelve months later, on August 13, 2021, Konami announced that the game would be re-released on Apple Arcade. Multiplayer mode was removed in this version.
Beta inquiry report[]
- Main article: Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls/Beta inquiry report
Gallery[]
- Main article: Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls/Gallery
Videos[]
- Main article: Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls/Gallery
Trivia[]
- Grimoire of Souls is the first game to state that Soma Cruz is Japanese in the English versions. Although this tidbit was mentioned in the Japanese versions of the Sorrow games, the English localization of Aria of Sorrow instead indicated that Soma had been a foreign transfer student in Japan.
- It is also the first game to have Alucard playable in his Genya Arikado identity (as Julius Mode for Dawn of Sorrow had Arikado reassuming his true identity as Alucard).
- Technically, this is the fourth production to have Alucard and Simon Belmont interact, after Captain N: The Game Master, Castlevania Judgment and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls product page at Google Play. (archived: July 15, 2020)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Siliconera (July 8, 2020) - Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls Will Shut Down on September 9, 2020
- ↑ Commented on the official website. Also be seen on the Apple Arcade Store.
- ↑ TouchArcade (January 31, 2019) – Konami Confirms Global Release for ‘Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls’ this Year
External links[]
- Official website
- Boss Rush gameplay video
- Character demo video
- Google Play
- App Store
- Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls ~ Shanoa vs Eligor Boss (Android/iOS)
- Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls Walkthrough part 1 iOS
- Game Press - New Player Guide
Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls |
---|
Characters |
Playable Characters |
Alucard/Genya Arikado • Simon Belmont • Maria Renard (Rondo of Blood) • Charlotte Aulin • Shanoa |
Assist Characters |
Soma Cruz/Dark King Soma • Jonathan Morris • Richter Belmont • Maria Renard (Symphony of the Night) • Albus • Trevor Belmont |
Supporting cast |
Lucy Westenra • Hermina • Annette |
Antagonists |
Dracula • Seward/Death |
Bosses |
Giant Bat • Dullahan • Wyvern • Legion • Eligor • Carmilla • Lesser Vampire • Balore • Gergos |
Locations |
Elgos Building |
Grimoires |
Ch I. Dracula's Castle • Ch II. A City of Fog • Ch III. Ash Banquet • Ch IV. That Witch Writhes • Ch V. Dark Laughter • Ch VI. Accursed Cranium • Ch VII. Death’s Reign • Ch VIII. Demonic Visions • Ch IX. A Vessel for the Lord • Ch X. Dracula’s Curse |
Optional |
Whip's Memory |
Multiplay areas |
Dracula's Castle Abyss • Cursed Castle Den |
Archives |
Inventory • Bestiary • Missions |