The Castlevania Dominus Collection on the PlayStation 5 is a throwback for fans of the long-running gothic action-adventure series. Bundling together three well-received titles from the franchise’s Nintendo DS era (Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia), this collection offers both a nostalgic journey and a fresh challenge. However, while the package, which also includes a redesigned version of the original Haunted Castle, is filled with classic gameplay and atmosphere, not all aspects of the collection are flawless.
The narrative threads of the included games weave together the dark and intricate world of Castlevania with the familiar yet ever-evolving lore of Dracula’s resurrection. Each game offers a unique protagonist and story: Soma Cruz’s battle with his fate in Dawn of Sorrow, Jonathan and Charlotte’s tag-team exploration in Portrait of Ruin, and Shanoa’s quest for the stolen glyphs in Order of Ecclesia. These stories, though distinct and easy to enjoy in any order, share the series’ signature blend of gothic horror, ancient prophecies, and the eternal struggle against Dracula. For returning players, these narratives are as compelling as ever, while newcomers may find themselves intrigued by the rich, if occasionally convoluted, lore.
Gameplay is where the Dominus Collection shines brightest, showcasing the evolution of the series’ signature blend of exploration, combat, and RPG elements – especially for those who never played any of the DS games. Dawn of Sorrow introduces a robust soul-capturing mechanic, allowing players to collect and combine enemy abilities to forge powerful weapons. Portrait of Ruin builds on this with its unique character-switching mechanic, offering a dynamic way to tackle puzzles and combat scenarios by swapping between Jonathan’s physical prowess and Charlotte’s magical expertise. Finally, Order of Ecclesia adds a layer of strategy with its glyph system, where players can absorb and deploy various magical symbols in combat, creating a highly customizable approach to fighting Dracula’s minions. Each game’s distinct mechanics provide a satisfying challenge, but some players might find the difficulty spikes, especially in Order of Ecclesia, to be a bit daunting.
The controls in the Dominus Collection are faithfully recreated, with the transition to the PS5 being mostly smooth. The touchscreen elements from the DS originals have of course been reworked, but not always in the most intuitive way. While the PS5’s (rarely used) touchpad is serviceable, it lacks the precision and immediacy of the original DS controls, which can make certain sequences (like the seal-drawing in Dawn of Sorrow) feel a bit clunky. This adaptation issue is minor but noticeable, particularly for players who remember the fluidity of the original handheld experience – we felt a bit nostalgic for our stylus pen.
Visually, the Castlevania Dominus Collection captures the beautiful pixel art and atmospheric backgrounds that the series is known for. The gothic environments, ranging from eerie castles to foreboding forests, are detailed, and the character sprites are full of personality. The PS5’s enhanced resolution helps these visuals pop, making the games look crisper than ever, although the collection doesn’t feature any significant graphical overhauls. This might disappoint players hoping for a more modern facelift, as the DS visuals are product of their time and platform. The inclusion of Haunted Castle Revisited, a revamped version of the original arcade game, adds a nostalgic bonus, but its simplistic design may feel a bit out of place next to the more refined DS titles.
The audio in the Dominus Collection is certainly a high point, with each game featuring a beautiful soundtrack that perfectly complements the dark atmosphere of Castlevania. From the melancholic melodies of Order of Ecclesia to the energetic tunes of Dawn of Sorrow, the music is as integral to the experience as the gameplay itself. The sound effects, from the crackle of spells to the clang of swords, are satisfyingly punchy, further immersing players in the gothic horror world. However, the sound quality hasn’t been significantly upgraded, which, while preserving the original experience, might feel dated to some, even though it sounds better than it ever did through the DS’ speaker.
In terms of additional features, the Dominus Collection introduces quality-of-life improvements like quick saves and a rewind function, making the challenging gameplay more accessible to newcomers and giving veterans the tools to experiment and explore without the fear of losing progress. These features are well-implemented and add significant value to the collection, especially when tackling the more difficult sections of each game or trying out something risky. However, the collection’s lack of extensive behind-the-scenes content or developer commentary is a missed opportunity for a package that celebrates such an iconic series – and perhaps three chapters that those without a DS never got to play before.
Overall, the Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for fans of the series and a great entry point for newcomers interested in experiencing some of the best 2D action-adventure games ever made for a handheld system. While the transition to the PS5 isn’t without its minor flaws, the sheer quality of the included titles, combined with the added features, makes this collection a worthy addition to any gaming library. Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, the Dominus Collection offers a hauntingly enjoyable journey through the dark, twisted world of Castlevania – and amazing value for money at a budget-friendly price point.
Score: 8.4/10
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