Shanoa is a character in the Castlevania series, and the protagonist of the 2008 video game Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia.
Concept and creation
editShanoa is a female protagonist in Castlevania, a relative rarity in the series.[1]
Appearances
editIn the medal game Eternal Knights 2, the player's character can be fashioned into a Vampire Hunter as part of a Castlevania crossover, where the female character will look like Shanoa.[2]
Reception
editThe Mary Sue writer Jonathan Ore regarded Shanoa as one of his favorite characters in gaming, feeling that she fits in perfectly with the Castlevania universe. He praised her for both her strong qualities, such as her independence and physical prowess, as well as the restrained beauty of her design. He appreciated that she was sexy without resorting to things like "boob armor," armor typically contoured to emphasize a woman's breasts. On her backless dress, he commented that it was more similar to something one would wear on a runway rather than a wet T-shirt contest, finding it "racy, but not necessarily vulgar."[3] Shanoa was praised by Club Nintendo magazine staff, referred to as one of the most enigmatic characters and interesting heroines in the series. Writer Antonio Suárez fell in love with the character, finding her story more interesting to follow than typical Castlevania protagonists.[4] Diehard GameFAN writer Alex Lucard was critical of Shanoa's characterization, believing that despite there being a story reason for her lack thereof, it still made it hard for him to empathize with her. He felt her smile at the end felt wrong, but hoped to see Shanoa in another game where she is characterized better. Her appearance in Castlevania Judgment was more well-received by Lucard, who believed that it was an improvement over her appearance at the end of Ecclesia.[5] [6] She went on to be a nominee for character of the year for her role in both games at Diehard GameFAN.[7]
Play writer Dave Halverson praised her design, particularly the way she reveals her back when she absorbs Glyphs, commenting that she evokes Alucard's movements. Identifying her as the first female slayer in the series, he felt such a thing would help in a sidescrolling Castlevania game on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.[8] In Play Magazine's sixth volume of the magazine Girls of Gaming, Shanoa was praised for "exud[ing] the very essence" of the series, and Konami was commended for making a lead in the series who was worthy of being compared to Alucard.[9]
References
edit- ^ Nishikawa-kun (August 28, 2024). "『キャッスルヴァニア ドミナスコレクション』レビュー。DSの『悪魔城ドラキュラ』3作を収録！ タッチ操作は簡易的になり便利機能も盛りだくさん。アーケード版の新作アレンジまで!?". Famitsu. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Sakutaro, Fukuda (December 16, 2008). "ＫＯＮＡＭＩ、ACメダルゲーム「エターナルナイツ2」稼働直前! ディレクター東氏インタビューも同時掲載". Impress Watch. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Ore, Jonathan (October 20, 2014). "Revisiting the Kick-Ass Female Lead Of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia". The Mary Sue. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
- ^ "Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia". Club Nintendo. No. 7. July 2011. p. 52, 53.
- ^ Lucard, Alex (October 28, 2008). "Review: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (Nintendo DS)". Diehard GameFAN. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Lucard, Alex (November 21, 2008). "Review: Castlevania: Judgment (Nintendo Wii)". Diehard GameFAN. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Lucard, Alex (December 25, 2008). "Diehard GameFAN's 2008 Gaming Awards Nominees List!". Diehard GameFAN. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Halverson, Dave (October 2008). "Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia: New World Order". Play. p. 84, 85.
- ^ "Shanoa". Play Magazine Presents: Girls of Gaming. No. 6. Play Magazine. p. 23.