Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku Gaiden - Legend of Cornell [Model NUS-ND4J]

悪魔城ドラキュラ黙示録外伝 ～レジェンドオブコーネル～ © 1999 Konami Company, Limited.
(Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku Gaiden - Legend of Cornell)

Konami goes for the throat with a bone-chilling prequel to Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku.

Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku Gaiden gives gamers four frightening quests to complete in the same horror-filled landscape that haunted televisions in Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku. This new edition of Akumajou Dracula is not an entirely new game, but devoted vampire hunters will be impressed with improved graphics, two new adventures and an engaging cast of new characters.

Eight years before Reinhardt and Carrie ended Dracula's reign of horror in Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku, a powerful werewolf named Cornell found himself wrapped up in a similar situation. Dracula's minions kidnapped the man-wolf's younger sister, forcing him to hunt down the devilish bloodsucker.

As Cornell fights his way through the cadaver-filled landscapes of Dracula's domain, the plot becomes intertwined with the storyline which will drive the adventures Reinhardt and Carrie eight years later.

Players familiar with the first game will notice that many of the seemingly familiar landscapes are filled with unexpected twists. Konami re-used the texture maps and basic level design from Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku, but in Legacy of Darkness the puzzles and landscapes have been rearranged. A building which was demolished in Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku, for example, could be in perfect condition in Legacy of Darkness.

Cornell explores some all-new levels throughout his journey as well, including an eerie ghost galleon guarded by a toothy lake monster. With hi-res graphics supplied by the Expansion Pak, old and new areas alike look much better than in the previous Akumajou Dracula.

Once players defeat Dracula using Cornell, three additional quests await. The second adventure stars a demon-hating ruffian named Henry. The action takes place eight years after Cornell's adventure, in the same time period as Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku. Players should recognize the brave hero, because as a child Henry was saved from certain death by Cornell. To complete Henry's portion of the game, players must rescue captured children throughout Dracula's domain within an allotted amount of time.

As an added bonus, Reinhardt Schneider and Carrie Fernandez -- the stars of Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku -- are the third and fourth characters available in the game. Players skilled enough to unlock this gallant duo must complete each hero's individual quest against Dracula to conquer the game.

Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku Gaiden may not be the all-new adventure that fans of the series are looking for, but it would be a mistake to brush it aside as a mere regurgitation of Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku. Redesigned levels, superior graphics and two all-new heroic quests make Legacy of Darkness a worthwhile play for any gamer with the guts to re-enter Konami's dark world.