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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Castlevania Judgment
Generally unfavorable reviews
Based on 33 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 26 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre(s): Fighting
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 18, 2008
Summary
Developed by legendary Castlevania series producer Koji "Iga" Igarashi, Castlevania Judgment bridges the past with the present as it pits several generations of the Belmont clan against a host of characters that span the franchise's 22-year history. With 3D environments rendered on Wii, players can choose sides in an epic battle of good versus evil using iconic Castlevania characters designed by famed manga artist Takeshi Obata. Using the motion-sensing controls of the Nunchuk and Wii Remote, players can slash, stab and whip their way across a variety of stages and environmental elements with various surrounding objects as weapons. Select characters can also set traps and make use of monsters on the field to achieve victory in a clash of epic proportions. As an added bonus, players are also able to compete head-to-head using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and connect with Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia on the Nintendo DS to unlock bonus gameplay content. [Konami]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
IGN
In the list of games I'm dying to play in the Castlevania series, a 3D fighter was about as far from the top as possible, but Judgment was a pleasant surprise.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
If you forgo your expectations of what a Castlevania game should be--or are simply looking for a respectable 3-D fighting game--you should have a good time with Judgment. [Holiday 2008, p.77]
games(TM)
The game feels more like a boss-rush version of a big action game that it does a traditional fighter, and somehow comes off as the best 3D Castlevania game Konami has produced so far. [Jan 2009, p.110]
NintendoWorldReport
If you work at learning the game, and view it as something that’s not necessary Castlevania proper, Judgment can provide a decent romp. If you're looking for a good lighthearted fighter, Judgement is outclassed by Brawl. However, if you like Soul Calibur but don’t own a PS3 or Xbox 360, Judgment is your only real alternative, and it’s not as terrible as people have been saying.
Read Full Review >Official Nintendo Magazine UK
It's by no means as bad as you may have heard. [Apr 2009, p.89]
XGN
Looking at the graphics and sounds, Castlevania is fine. The controls are very simple, but at the same time not always that good. Overall a great Castlevania game, but not for full price.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
The game is a mixed-bag, for sure, but the highs slightly outweigh the fighting genre side effects.
Read Full Review >GameTrailers
It's a case of missed opportunity with Castlevania Judgment. The concept sounds so enticing, but it doesn't take long to realize that the series has not done a good job of creating memorable characters. It tries to implement creative ideas, but nothing really clicks and both die hard fans and fighting game enthusiasts will be discouraged by gameplay that's anything but immortal.
Read Full Review >Destructoid
Castlevania Judgment is a lot better than it should be given its brief time in development and small budget, but still not half as good as it could have been. Thanks to the injection of some good ideas and heaping piles of love for the series, Judgment does justice to the Castlevania name, though just barely.
Read Full Review >GameFocus
Judgment is by no means terrible, just mediocre. It’s as if someone was reading "Making Fighting Games for Dummies", and literally followed the instructions step by step, without thinking about ways to make it something more. Considering the history of the series, there’s so much that could have been done, and just wasn’t.
Read Full Review >Gamers' Temple
Instead of treading in familiar action territory, Castlevania Judgement introduces us to a fighting genre with Castlevania characters but the overall Castlevania feel and quality that the series usually displays suffers quite a bit with this change.
Read Full Review >GameZone
We don’t mind a Castlevania fighting game when it’s done right but Judgment just isn’t able to pull it off well thanks to a number of problems that make this a unimpressive fighting game. All is not bad, though, seeing as the collection of characters bring something different to the battle, but it’s not enough to recommend this one.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
The simplistic combat as well as the shoddy graphics sink this title to a near-unplayable status.
Read Full Review >Gamervision
Multiplayer over WiiConnect 24 works surprisingly well, but a functioning online system isn’t enough to get over the broken, unresponsive, and unentertaining fighting mechanics of the game.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
The end product fails as a fighter, as a part of the Castlevania series, and as a video game in general.
Read Full Review >Zentendo
On top of all of this, the gameplay is generally too simple for its own good. Judgment is an adequate if simplistic fighter, taking a step in the wrong direction for each original and unique thing it attempts to do. It doesn't even pay good homage to its source material.
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
It isn't even a half decent fighter! [Apr 2009, p.77]
Gamer 2.0
Castlevania Judgement copied conventions from the right games, but everything was almost done completely wrong.
Read Full Review >Kombo
It is hard to tell what the purpose of Judgment was, and how it would further increase the franchise's legacy. Yes, there is one interesting thing, but it is buried underneath a subpar game. It is hard to recommend this one.
Read Full Review >Meristation
A judge is what this Castlevania really needs. This franchise first time on Wii is a time-waster for anybody who wants to expend a nice afternoon playing with some friends. Not even its graphics are what they should be. Its a very poor game on every aspect except for its decent sound, but nothing more than that.
Read Full Review >Gamestyle
It tries to make the most of a stupid idea, and compared to previous efforts at a 3D Castlevania game it’s quite a triumph.
Read Full Review >Teletext GameCentral
Turning Castlevania into a one-on-one fighter is a dumb idea but at least this tries to be different.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer Spain
Judgment is the worst offering in the long running Castlevania series. It's a mediocre game, where all of its aspects show wrong decisions in design and implementation.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Castlevania's switch from 2D side-scrolling to 3D fighting is an endless stream of missteps that will frustrate even series devotees.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
Castlevania fanatics will hate the unnecessary liberties taken with their favorite characters, fighting game enthusiasts will abhor the crippling lack of character balance, and everyone should just cross their fingers that the next game to bear this franchise's once vaunted name is put together with a lot more care.
Read Full Review >GamePro
While I want to give Konami credit for trying something new with the series, the obvious missteps and overlooked elements of Castlevania Judgment makes the game look and feel like a cheap cash-in.
Read Full Review >GameDaily
Story Mode is utterly boring and Survival Mode plods along with room after room of lifeless challenges. Online play through the Wi-Fi Connection is also here, but isn't worth the time.
Read Full Review >NGamer UK
Ultimately, there's no good reason whatsoever to play Castlevania: Judgment, save morbid curiosity. If you love terrible games as kitsch, it's worth a look. [Feb 2009, p.66]
GameShark
The night of fun has long passed for this underwhelming game and the morning heralds a test that it doesn't have the chops to really pass with flying colors.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
As the basis for a full-on action game, Castlevania: Judgment might have worked, but the dull arenas, limited enemy monsters, and horrible storytelling means that we're only left with a poor fighting game instead.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
The soundtrack is the only thing in Castlevania Judgment that does proper homage to the series.
Read Full Review >1UP
As a fighter, Castlevania Judgment employs too many design ideas that are neither well planned nor well executed. It's a strange misstep for the beloved series, one that Konami hopefully learns from.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 5.4 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bill T. gave it a2:
If you are thinking of buying this game, make sure you rent it first before spending your money. The controls and camera are broken, the characters are unrecognizable, the story and dialogue are cheesy, and the gameplay is tedious. IGN went pretty easy on it (maybe because they are advertising the game), just read some of these other reviews to get a true picture of how flawed it is. Awful attempt at a fanservice game, and a very flawed fighter.
Joe C. gave it a10:
Cool game, it has lots of features and is a fresh spin on the Castlevania series. Don't listen to 1up's incomplete review of the game as they fail to mention many of the game's modes. For a better comprehension take a look at IGN's review.
