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Screenshots thanks to Rob Turner.
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This is where Soma and Mina end up after they step through the shrine gate. Mina will
wait here throughout the course of the game - although she doesn't do anything more
than giving tips on where to go, at least she manages to not get herself kidnapped.
Hammer will also set up shop here once you find him.
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The usual entrance hallway is actually pretty large - though there's a straightforward
path to the Chapel, there's still a lot of ground to explore in case you want to find
some extra equipment.
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Though it's missing the nice scrolling clouds effects from Symphony and Harmony, the chapel
is still filled with large, spacious rooms to climb. In the center area you'll
fight the Manticore, though the upper region is occupied completely by a series
of dancing spectres.
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It's the usual library-type area, filled with minotaurs and ectoplasms. Beat the knight boss
here and you'll gain the precious double-jump ability.
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A silly little waltz plays as Soma fightings through more marble hallways. Take note
of the painting in the right screenshot - it's the same as the Game Over screen. Below the
ballroom is the wine/meat cellar, where you'll find the rock monster boss. Once you clear this area,
you'll also meet Hammer, who will sell you stuff if you head back to the castle entrance.
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The decor is here much like the final level of Castlevania Chronicles, right down
to the insane ninja maids. You'll find a rabbit that will warp you to the past - there's
nothing to do with him at the moment, so don't worry about it. Instead, beat the Headhunter
boss and continue on.
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Similar to the Lost Woods in the original Legend of Zelda game, the floating garden
features several hallways who seem to warp around one in another. If you wish to make progress, don't
turn around - simply keep heading left to get to the clock tower, or right to get
to the area with the black mist door. Remember this - once you've accomplished some of
your important goals, you'll need to come back here.
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A Castlevania without a Clock Tower wouldn't be a Castlevania game, I guess. The usual assortment
of gears, harpies, medusa heads and spikes will challenge you, although it's nothing particularly new.
The Grim Reaper awaits to do battle, after which you'll find the ability to swim. I guess
Dracula still uses water to make the clocks work (useless fact - this was invented
by the Chinese.) How environmentally conscious.
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You thought that boatman was a crazy old rambling coot, but when he's not around you see
the result - crazy canoes out of control, crashing down waterways. This area is one of
the first that you can access, but you can't really go anywhere until you gain the
ability to swim. This will lead you to the underground cemetary.
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This is a little creepy here - Soma seems to be ruining a parade of colorless men that
seem perfectly harmless - until you realize they're just part of the Legion boss at
the end of the area. You'll obtain the Galamoth soul after you beat it and can finally
get past that rabbit.
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This is pretty much just like the colliseum in Symphony of the Night, though thankfully
much easier than the hellish trials of Circle of the Moon. Right before you descend
the elevator to the boss, you are given the option of enterting on the three challenge rooms,
which are large streams of enemies constantly attacking you, like the horde of
beam skeletons in the screenshot on the right. Make it through alive and you'll
snag some nice items. It's also good to level up for a fairly difficult fight with Balore. Once
you make it out alive, you'll get the bat soul.
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It's been awhile since we've seen a ghost ship in a Castlevania game, so that's
pretty cool, but otherwise the only interesting thing about the forbidden area
is that its hidden is rather hidden. The first time you're likely to come across this
area, you'll hit a locked door. This is actually the exit. To get in, you'll need
to get past the waterfall in the Underground Waterway (get the Kali soul.) Inside
you'll find plenty of great loot, and one of the necessary books.
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This is it - the final area. Only with the flying bat soul can you make the trek past
all of the walking guards, succubi and other demons that prevent you from your final
meeting with Graham.
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This should all look pretty familiar - you'll run across many different rooms, although
their layout is pretty...well, chaotic. One time you'll exit the screen and come across
empty space. Another, you'll be walking through the castle corridor and end up in
the underground waterways. Even with the lack of a map, it's pretty linear, and just
leads up to the final boss.
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