Those are the first things I felt when I played the Lament of Innocence demo, featured on the Winter 2003 Sony Jampack. It didn't stop there - each area is wide-open, rectangular rooms that, while well detailed and atmospheric, just aren't very interesting. At least this allows for a very well focused camera. The game seems to be structured upon killing all of the enemies in a room, then moving to the next. There is some degree of exploration (although the map is disabled), but this is a bit disappointhing - hopefully later levels will show more flair. Still, at least it has nowhere to go but up.

But since gameplay is focused on combat, at least that's exceedingly well done. The game plays and feels a little like a quicker-pased version of Rygar for the PS2, which is a very good thing. Leon has the usual double jump, along with a block attack and a nifty backflip. He also has two primary attacks that can be strung into a few combos, though these will supposedly grow in number as the game goes on. What's really cool are the special attacks - the weaponry system is exactly the same as Harmony of Dissonance, where you combine your current subweapon with a colored orb for a unique attack.

The levels are populated with the usual gamut of Castlevania enemies, ranging from skeletons to flea men to mermen - many of these who explode in blood when killed, owing to the M rating. The level boss is a big golem - given that this boss was boring and overused back in Harmony, its subsequent appearance in Aria and again here in Lament just hammers in that maybe some more creative minds need to be in control of the design.

If it sounds like I'm being negative, it's not entirely intentional. Gameplay-wise, Lament is undoubtedly a step up from the N64 games. But don't go in expecting a deep Symphony-style title - this seems to be a base action title, albeit a well-done one. This is only a small portion of the game, and there's still plenty of room to shine. In any case, enjoy the pictures. Click on any of them to bring up a bigger-sized version.

Stylish whip shot #1	Stylish whip shot #2
This is the regular dagger subweapon - so fast you can't even see it. It also keeps up the longstanding Castlevania tradition of being almost entirely useless.	This is better - combine the dagger with the red orb and a stream of daggers will dash around the screen, destroying pretty much everything. Very cool.
There are some keen paintings. Here is one of them.	These items appear to be unobtainable, but you can jump on the platform on the back and reach up.
Dagger + Blue Orb = explosive purple projectile.	It's nice to see Peeping Eyes in 3D, I guess.
The regular cross subweapon has been altered - it now surrounds Leon for a few seconds, acting like a shield - similar to the old Bible attack.	Combine the cross with the red orb to create a cross image that apparates in front of Leon. Run around and cause havoc.
Putting the cross and the blue orb will summon the usual cross item crash.	These merman bleed nicely.
Another vaguely nifty painting.	This is the crystal subweapon - they pretty much act as land mines. Also a show-off of light sourcing techniques.
Combining the red orb and the crystal will summon ice glaciers - just like Harmony of Dissonance.	The crystal and blue orb will cause some magic beams to rain for a few seconds.
Another keen action scene. That knight will shoot fire.	Level Boss: The Golem.
Leon's flame kick looks silly here, but it's actually pretty cool looking in motion.	After you've broken the Golem in half, he'll lash his arms out and get stuck. This is the best time to attack.