Topic: Harmony of Despair (The next Castlevania game?)

[corneliab]

yet single player and story isn't going to convince players to keep playing for years to come.

Actually, a strong single player campaign is what DOES keep people playing for years to come. The gimmick of multiplayer can only go so far, especially online multiplayer, which will only last as long as the server does.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

It is the strong single player campaign that Corneliab just mentioned, that keeps us going back to pretty much every Castlevania to date (except Judgment).
We keep going back and talking about the mythos, the references, and the story, trying to piece things together, based on that single-player mode.

There are very very few games set up like Castlevania (adventure/platforming) in which people rave about the multiplayer mode, except maybe the Mario games (and that's a Huuuuuuuge maybe).

We've been going back to all the older CV games for years, but I can guarantee you that once the (already dwindling, based on the responses on this form) Fame of Harmony of Despair fades, you won't even be able to find partners to play with you through the game, 'cuz no one will really care.  Do you really think, going down the line, in five or six years, that you'll pick up the game and find people actually playing it?  Color me skeptical, but it might be just about the same number of people who are on, right now, in OoE or PoR sharing their Shop Codes and having their game shop open.

Then again, I could be wrong, but based on the evidence so far, I don't think I will be.

Again, who  knows?  I suppose it 'could' be a great game, but I wouldn't put my hopes up on it.

[Hydrostorm]

Guys,

1] http://castlevaniadungeon.net/forums/index.php?topic=1260.0

2] Let's party. Who's dressing up as a Belmont for Halloween?

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I have the outfit but my Chronicles Simon gets easily confused with "Transexual of the Night".

[Holycross]

Actually, a strong single player campaign is what DOES keep people playing for years to come. The gimmick of multiplayer can only go so far, especially online multiplayer, which will only last as long as the server does.

I think this is going to be a great new step for castlevainia and to see how it does with the new co-op and multiplayer mode. I just cant wait to get it.  Anyone want to add me?

[shelverton.]

A game like Harmony of Despair would probably have made a kinda cool unlockable in Lords of Shadow or something, anyone agree? Cause it honestly doesn't look like a standalone game, more like a bonus feature. I would've been less critical about it if that was the case..

[angevil]

A game like Harmony of Despair would probably have made a kinda cool unlockable in Lords of Shadow or something, anyone agree? Cause it honestly doesn't look like a standalone game, more like a bonus feature.

Maybe the other way around, with HD being the main game. And LOS would make a crappy bonus feature anyway.

[shelverton.]

Maybe the other way around, with HD being the main game. And LOS would make a crappy bonus feature anyway.

Hahaha. That would be like putting greatness such as Symphony of the Night as a bonus feature in Pong. Except Pong is a good and original game, HD can't compete with that. 

[corneliab]

Maybe the other way around, with HD being the main game. And LOS would make a crappy bonus feature anyway.

You're a fucking idiot.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Hey now, none of that.
Let's try to be respectful of others regardless of their opinions.

[Sumac]

Harmony of Despair will truly revolutionize friends playing online together with the Castlevania flavor, and that's something never experienced before at this level of nostalgia, quality online and big screen goodness with some Castlevania favorites available and possible room for expansion!!!

Oh, my...
The level of the zealousness is incredible in this one!!
Even if the game will be succesful it wull not revolutionize anything.

[Wallachia]

New screens at IGN: http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/077/077650/imgs_1.html

[angevil]

You're a fucking idiot.

Sad to see these kinds of responses. Everyone has right to their own opinions on things. I guess I better go enjoy Castlevania music or play CV games and spend less time going to forums.

[affinity]

Actually, a strong single player campaign is what DOES keep people playing for years to come. The gimmick of multiplayer can only go so far, especially online multiplayer, which will only last as long as the server does.

And servers can last for years, especially being supported by Xbox Live.  And online multiplayer keeps bringing players and friends back for more more frequently.   Most really don't feel like going through a story campaign more than once a year or every few months. 

But online multiplayer in the industry has proven to keep dedicated players playing a game on a daily basis! 
 
With 300 items to find, multiple characters to master, and plenty of pick up and play Castlevania goodness,   players won't even need to worry about cutscenes getting in the way of their gameplay sessions and the routine of skipping them.  Story is really an afterthought after the first time. 

I just finished SOTN again since I haven't played it for about 2 years now.  But I don't feel like playing it again for maybe another year or two. 

Maybe if it had online co-op and more characters I would play it again at least weekly, if not daily.  But SOTN is in great need of multiple difficulty levels, which Harmony of Despair will seem to have at least 3 difficulty levels to choose from.  And without experience levels, it may be a little more challenging and fun for a greater amount of time.   

People who play alone really underestimate the fun and replay value that online co-op/multiplayer offers.         A game played together with people online is better than playing the game alone.

[Abnormal Freak]

A game played together with people online is better than playing the game alone.

Nope. I never play games online, and rarely do so these days with people in person. I just don't get that much enjoyment out of it; playing alone is a lot better. I like single player games and the stories they offer. I also can absorb everything when I'm alone and not distracted. It's like watching movies: I generally get far more enjoyment out of watching them by myself, with some exceptions like outrageous romps, such as Braindead.