• Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2008
Metascore
85 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 46
  2. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. It's the best game of the series since "Symphony of the Night" and those who buy it won't be sorry. This "100" is justified by the enormous quality and the care of how it was made, which is unusual to see on Nintendo DS.
  2. 100
    Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia's gameplay and presentation make it one of the best to date, alongside Symphony of the Night and other legendary entries.
  3. Providing you're up for the challenge, this is the high point of the DS Castlevania series. [Feb 2009, p.92]
  4. Order of Ecclesia proves that the Castlevania formula is still as fun now as it was ten years ago, and the new gameplay mechanics keep things fresh and interesting. It’s a 2D action masterpiece, and absolute required playing for any DS owner.
  5. An awesome Castlevania game and an awesome game on its own. If you're a die-hard fan of the series or just a fan of challenging 2d action games, don't miss this title.
  6. An old-school, level-oriented presentation with unrelenting difficulty, making it one of the most refreshing experiences to be had on the DS this holiday season.
  7. 91
    With this game, series director Koji Igarashi proves that he can still breathe new life into this long-running, often self-cannibalizing franchise.
  8. I cannot recommend this title enough, especially if you're a fan of the 2-D games in the series.
  9. It’s just a shame that the game is so utterly short; even with so much post-game stuff to do, there’s always that lingering feeling that there could have been more. Regardless, Order of Ecclesia is the most engaging Castlevania game in ages. Pick it up if you want something good.
  10. Because this game has a steep difficulty curve, you’ll consider it an insult if you don’t keep going back until you’ve nailed that section/boss.
  11. Ignoring the Wi-Fi Connection stuff, there’s still so much to see and do it’s hard to imagine gamers not absolutely devouring all the hidden details and ultra-rare items just to say “I did it.”
  12. The 2-D graphics are wonderfully drawn, the soundtrack is epic and the bosses are among the best we've seen. We don't like the boring two-player races and item trading, but overall, this is one of the best Castlevanias to date.
  13. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia serves up slick controls, action, and challenge while infusing some freshness into the formula and blending it with some of the best elements of the past two Castlevanias.
  14. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this game, and there are so many things to love about it. Excellent visuals and sound aside, the gameplay is just as great as any Castlevania has been in the last ten years.
  15. 90
    Despite minor quibbles about its online modes, Order of Ecclesia is a simply stunning handheld game. It ranks as easily the best portable game of the year and could very well qualify as the best Castlevania ever.
  16. 90
    Stronger than Portrait of Ruin, Circle of the Moon, and Harmony of Dissonance? Is this reviewer's opinion, yes. The best on DS, or top in the series? I just don't think so.
  17. It just goes to show that you can teach an old vampire some new tricks.
  18. Order of Ecclesia is one of the best Castlevania games ever produced. It manages to differentiate itself from the blatant self-reference of most post-Symphony games, and uses its unique setting, cast of characters, and engrossing gameplay to stand almost totally apart from its predecessors.
  19. The story is top-notch, the graphics are excellent, the controls are great, and the gameplay, while difficult, is still rewarding.
  20. 90
    Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is a must buy for any fan of the 2D Castlevania games or for anybody looking for a solid action/adventure experience.
  21. With all the hidden stuff and abilities there are to be uncovered within depths of Ecclesia, players will instantly be submerged in Ecclesia’s extremely solid gameplay.
  22. It likely won’t unseat Symphony of the Night as fans’ all-time fave, but its inventive gameplay, outstanding visual presentation, and haunting music—always a high point in the franchise—easily make Ecclesia as good as the series’ DS debut Dawn of Sorrow.
  23. Everything that makes Castlevania what it is; huge bosses, monster-slaughtering, as well as weapon-gathering and castle-raiding, is all here, and it's done spectacularly.
  24. One of Konami's biggest franchises is back on Nintendo DS with one of its best entries. A great game that offers amazing visuals and an incredible gameplay, several game modes and an adult story. The Castlevania series takes a step forward; Igarashi offers us one of the best games for the handheld, and one of the greatest Castlevania games.
  25. 90
    These "Metroidvania" games may be a bit formulaic, but there's no denying that they're still great fun. Order of Ecclesia is a bit of an improvement over Portrait of Ruin, and it's right up there with the excellent Symphony of the Night and Dawn of Sorrow. This will be one of the best DS titles released this holiday season -- don't miss it.
  26. For hardcore Castlevania fans, though, this is the title that you've been looking for. It's long, it's challenging, and it doesn't fall over and die once you find the right weapon/subweapon combination.
  27. Order of Ecclesia is a top-notch Castlevania game. It has a few problems with linearity and length, but the flaws are few and far between. The gameplay is incredibly fun, the animations are lovely, and the overall enemy design is some of the best we've seen from recent Castlevania titles.
  28. Order of Ecclesia isn't a drastic departure from past installments, but it's a clear step up with tweaks to gameplay and level design and a cast of creative new enemies. Despite being broken up into smaller levels, there's still a heavy emphasis on exploration, and the merciless boss fights provide a satisfying challenge for any seasoned vampire hunter.
  29. A successful blend of the Metroidvania style of Symphony of the Night and straightforward, extremely difficult nature of older titles in the series.
  30. Ecclesia steps outside the castle walls and summons one of the greatest Castlevania titles in years.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. SeymourB
    10
    This is by far my favorite DS and Castlevania game. My only complaint would be the ridiculous amount of time it takes to level up; you are forced to grind an awful lot to make it past the tougher challenges. And those complaining about the difficulty of the game should just try harder. Truly challenging games are rarities these days, and you're only helping to exacerbate that by complaining to developers. Once I completed the story, beat both secret areas and leveled up to 99, I was able to beat EVERY boss without even getting hit. This game is my idea of a perfect platforming title and the best $30 ever spent. Full Review »
  2. Certainement un des meilleurs Castlevania avec SOTN le jeu est sublimes Shanoa est incroyable les animations sont a tomber par terre Les musiques sublimes bref le Perfect pour ce jeu. Full Review »
  3. Better than dawn of sorrow.