In an interview with EGM, Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi has given some insight on the series' newest installment for the Nintendo DS. The game will be a direct sequel to Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, which was released a year and a half ago for the Game Boy Advance.

In the year 2036, cult founder Celia Fortner is trying to kill Soma Cruz, who did not fullfill his destiny to become Dracula's reincarnation. Soma however takes the initiative and heads directly for the cult's headquarters.

The newest addition to the series will follow the successful gameplay formula of Aria of Sorrow. Soma will move around in a traditional 2D side-scrolling environment. Per current series tradition, instead of linear levels, the game will feature maps reminescent of interlocked labyrinthine areas.

A huge arsenal of weapons, ranging from swords to spears to hammers will be at the protagonist's disposal. The Enemy Soul system will also make its return. Orbs dropped by enemies can be equipped and then utilized to unleash powerful special attacks. According to Igarashi, the number of these Enemy Souls has been increased. The DS' upper screen will display the player's current status and position on the map. While the game will be controlled mainly with the buttons, the stylus will be used to paint Magic Seals. Once you have reduced a boss enemy's health meter to zero, you are requested to draw a certain shape on the screen with the stylus to seal the enemy. If the shape is drawn incorrectly, the enemy will regain some energy and the player will be forced to keep on fighting.

The music will be created by Symphony of the Night and Lament of Innocence composer Michiru Yamane. Igarashi plans to implement a wireless option, allowing players to trade and exchange Enemy Souls and customized maps. Whether he will have the time to implement a versus mode, he could not tell at this point.

Castlevania DS (working title) will be available sometime this fall.

• EGM