News: The XBLA-exclusive has a release date.
Konami has announced a release date for the Xbox Live Arcade-exclusive Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. The game will arrive August 4, which is smack dab in the middle of the five-week Summer of Arcade. This also means that we now know the third annual promotion will begin on July 21.
Harmony of Despair will be the first multiplayer Castlevania game (not counting Judgment) when it launches this Summer. Up to six players will be able to take part in the whipping good time:
In Castlevania Harmony of Despair, fan favorite vampire hunters from throughout the series come together in order to return Dracula to his eternal slumber. Joining forces with friends on Xbox Live, up to six players can explore massive levels inspired by the worlds of Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia via online co-op play. As players employ their cooperative skills to unleash devastating attacks and fight the forces of darkness, they can discover hidden locations, special items and equipment to help in their quest. Fearless players can even choose to engage in competitive Survival Mode with friends to and determine the best slayer of evil. Featuring detailed 2D art with the ability for players to zoom in and zoom out of the entire map of each level adding in a completely new dimension of gameplay, Castlevania Harmony of Despair will provide players with a thrilling, next generation experience coupled with the classic Castlevania aesthetic. To keep the momentum after initial launch, there are also plans for downloadable content featuring new characters along with new levels.
The release order of the four remaining Summer of Arcade selections (Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Lara Croft and the Guardian of the Light, Limbo and Monday Night Combat) has not been decided.
We'll have more soon.