New Castlevania DS ditches the Belmonts, introduces new 'Glyph' attacks

More news has emerged from Konami's Gamers Day press event about its just-announced third Castlevania game for DS, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, including details about who you'll be playing and how the game's new attack system will work.

The game, which follows on from Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin, will be letting players take control not of a Belmont as is traditional but of a member of the Ecclesia (an organisation that has sworn to defeat the evil Dracula and his forces).

Your new character also comes complete with some new attack moves, based around a Glyph attack system, which will enable players to unleash a total of 100 different attack combinations against the Prince of Darkness's unrelenting minions.

Also new are the game's environments that promise to be more expansive than ever. For instance, instead of fighting solely inside Dracula's Castle you're able to venture outside, into locations that range from forests to oceans. There are 20 different explorable areas in total.

Final information on the game relates to its multiplayer options, which utilise wi-fi and allow players to both compete head-to-head and also trade items and equipment they've found while exploring. Added to these collectable items, the game's single-player longevity is further increased by multiple endings, which are unlocked depending on how you've completed the game.

"We have always felt that the Castlevania franchise has been an excellent fit on Nintendo DS," said Anthony Crouts, vice president of marketing for Konami, of the company's hopes for the classic side-scroller while munching on a garlic clove. "We fully expect Order of Ecclesia to ignite the fan base once again as it combines the classic Castlevania gameplay with an all-new combat system and outdoor environments."

But will it be as console-smashingly difficult as previous instalments, that's what we want to know. Probably, but as ever that shouldn't stop it being great. And the first screenshots released of the game (above) also show it should it's looking like the prettiest so far.

No release date has risen from its eternal slumber yet, but we'll keep you updated the moment we pin it down (with a stake through its heart).