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Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

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Welcome to Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, a true exclusive for the Nintendo DS! This action-RPG plunges you into a gothic world where you'll play as Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin, a vampire hunter and a magic-user, as they explore Dracula's ever-shifting castle. You'll be jumping, whipping, and casting your way through hordes of monsters, uncovering secrets within its many rooms, and facing off against powerful bosses.

This guide is here to help you master Jonathan's combat, navigate the castle's labyrinthine structure, and uncover all its secrets. We'll cover everything from basic movement and sub-weapons to advanced techniques, ensuring you can conquer formidable foes like Brauner and ultimately break Dracula's curse.

Dracula's Castle After Sandy Grave [wa05]

Find Goggles, Axe Bomber, MIND Boost, STR Boost, Poncho, Potion, Tonic, and Tome of Arms 2 in Dracula's Castle After Sandy Grave in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Save your game in the nearby save room.
  2. 2
    Go west and make your way to the top of the room, then exit in the upper left corner.
  3. 3
    In the room with Skull Archers on platforms, jump up and kill them while progressing to the top.
  4. 4
    Head one room right and kill the Great Armor, then continue right.
  5. 5
    Go up, killing Lerajies, and take the [Goggles] at the top.
  6. 6
    Break the wall right of the Goggles to find the [Axe Bomber] Dual Crush skill.
  7. 7
    Drop down and go left to find the [MIND Boost] magic skill in the lower left corner.
  8. 8
    Jump upwards, defeating Lerajies, Mimics, and Larvas, watching out for floor cracks, and exit in the upper left corner.
  9. 9
    Avoid the wooden sticks thrown by skelerangs and make your way to the upper left exit.
  10. 10
    Walk two rooms left and activate the warp point.
  11. 11
    Go back one room right and follow the flying Ukoback upwards.
  12. 12
    At the top, go through the right door. Kill a Glaysa Labolas and continue right.
  13. 13
    Head back left to a huge stairway guarded by Hill Guard enemies.
  14. 14
    Kill the Hill Guards and walk left down the stairs.
  15. 15
    Use the platforms in the middle of the stairs to reach the upper left part of the room and find the [STR Boost].
  16. 16
    Go back to the platforms, then jump left to three small ledges to collect [Poncho], [Potion], and [Tonic].
  17. 17
    Drop to the bottom, kill Skeleton Flails, and head east to find [Tome of Arms 2], guarded by Lerajies.
  18. 18
    Go to the bottom left of this room and exit to another room with a huge stairway.
  19. 19
    In this new stairway room, find the [HP Max Up] in the lower right part.
  20. 20
    Collect [Monochle], [Uncurse Potion], and [Jade Corset] from the three platforms in the middle.
  21. 21
    Exit the room in the bottom left corner.
  22. 22
    Drop down to the room with two Skull Archers to find an area with a red gate on the left.
  23. 23
    Return to the eastmost stairway room where you found the STR Boost.
  24. 24
    Below the STR Boost, in the upper left corner, there is an exit. Walk through it.
  25. 25
    In the cold-looking stone cellar area, kill the Skeleton Flail in the upper part.
  26. 26
    Ignore the platform in the upper right corner and head west to a balcony with a crossbow armor. Take it down.
  27. 27
    Exit the balcony area by going further left.
  28. 28
    In the next area, there is a platform above leading to the next portrait; do not jump up yet.
  29. 29
    Drop down to find an [Iron Plate] in the lower right part and [Whip Knuckles] in the left part.
  30. 30
    Drop down from where the mimic enemy is and perform a double jump.
  31. 31
    Exit in the lower part of the room and keep walking to find a switch. Press it to open a gate.
  32. 32
    Back in the cellar area, head left to another balcony and keep walking left until you reach a red gate.
  33. 33
    Walk through the red gate to reach the entrance part of the castle.
  34. 34
    Avoid the larva enemies and exit left.
  35. 35
    In the area where the music changed, push the green block left to reach a platform in the upper left.
  36. 36
    Collect the [Nebula] up here.
  37. 37
    Drop back down to the very bottom of the room with the green block.
  38. 38
    Break the wall in the western end, near the slinger enemies, to find an [HP Max Up].
  39. 39
    Go back right two rooms.
Tips
  • Be aware of cracks in the floor in the area with Mimics and Larvas.
  • The skelerangs can be a bother; try to avoid their projectiles.
  • The green blockade in the upper right area can be left alone for now.
  • The switch in the stone cellar area opens a permanent path between the westmost stairway room and the cellar.
  • Use a double jump after dropping down from the mimic enemy to reach the lower exit.

Backtracking To Find Hidden Areas [wa11]

Guide to finding all hidden areas and collectibles in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin using the Owl and Toad morph spells. Achieve 100% map discovery.

This section guides you back to previously visited portraits to find remaining hidden areas, requiring the Owl and Toad morph spells. Completing these will result in 100% map discovery for the affected portraits, excluding Dracula's Castle.

Remaining Areas in City of Haze — 100 % Discovery!

  1. In the middle of the area with the train wagon (longest room in the southern part of the map), break the ceiling and use the Owl morph spell to fly up. You will find a [Sachertorte] and a [Healing Mail] in the room above.
  2. In the northeastern part of the map, in a room with many platforms and enemies like Slingers and Death Masks, use the Toad morph spell in the upper left part of the room to sneak through a narrow passage. You'll find the [Milican's Sword] on the other side.

Remaining Areas in Sandy Grave — 100 % Discovery!

  1. In one of the eastmost rooms on the map, where a rolling boulder is present, use the Owl morph and fly to the upper right corner to find a [Lorica]. A hidden area is also present in the lower left end of this room, where the Sanctuary spell was previously found.
  2. In the room outside the westmost save room, use the Owl morph to fly to the upper left corner and grab the [Kaiser Knuckles].

Remaining Areas in Forest of Doom — 100 % Discovery!

  1. In the dark area in the middle south of the map, filled with frog enemies, break the ceiling in the middle and use the Owl morph to fly upwards to find the [Dark Gate] Dual Crush skill.

Find the Aura Blast in Dracula's Castle

  1. Head to the room with the elevator (below the area where you beat Death) and use the Owl morph spell in the lower left corner to reach the [Aura Blast] Dual Crush Skill.

Return to the room left of where you beat Stella & Loretta, and enter the westmost portrait to reach the Forgotten City.

Forgotten City [wa12]

A complete walkthrough for the Forgotten City in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, detailing item locations, enemy strategies, and progression through the area.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    From the portrait, go left to find a warp point. Continue left, fighting Mummies and two Devil Wheels. Slay the Demon Head and Flame Demon, then defeat the poison worm on the hill.
  2. 2
    Continue left, defeat Mummies and a Dodo enemy. Progress left to a new area where a Quetzalcoatl attacks.
  3. 3
    Left of the Quetzalcoatl, find and take the [Eye for an Eye] spell. Return to where you fought the poison worm.
  4. 4
    Sink into the quicksand to find a new area. Drop down again.
  5. 5
    Kill Laura. Go right to find a small triangle-formed room, then drop down.
  6. 6
    Slay the Ghosts and Armored Fleamen. Exit in the upper left to find a save room.
  7. 7
    Below the save room is another warp point. Drop down in the lower right corner to find a room with an Old Axe Armor and ghosts.
  8. 8
    Grab the [Super Tonic] to the right of the Old Axe Armor. Ignore the lamp to the left for now. Drop down to exit in the lower right corner.
  9. 9
    Kill Ectoplasm enemies. Drop down into the gap in the left part of the room to fight Armored Fleamen and get the [Curry].
  10. 10
    Exit by dropping down in the lower right corner. Kill the Ectoplasm and Lesser Demon.
  11. 11
    Grab a [Super Potion] in the upper right. Backtrack to the area where you fought Laura, then go left to find another small triangle-formed room.
  12. 12
    Drop down to a new room. It contains Armored Fleamen. Drop down and exit in the lower left end.
  13. 13
    Defeat the Old Axe Armor at the bottom. Grab the [Attica Helmet] to its right.
  14. 14
    Exit this room in the lower left corner. Defeat the Quetzalcoatl. Examine the room, noting the upper left part can be hard to map. Drop down in the lower left corner.
  15. 15
    Examine the room, kill ghosts and an Old Axe Armor. Exit in the lower left corner.
  16. 16
    Kill two Demon Heads. Drop down in the lower left end to find another room.
  17. 17
    Exit this room in the upper right end to find another save room. Head left from the save room.
  18. 18
    Kill two Lesser Demons at the bottom. Use the owl morph spell to fly to the upper left corner and find the [Griffon Wing] relic. This is the final relic.
  19. 19
    Exit in the lower right corner. Run through a small corridor.
  20. 20
    In the next room, slay two Quetzalcoatl enemies. Continue right to a room with spikes in the ceiling.
  21. 21
    Defeat the Gorgon and Laura. Grab the [Princess Tiara] from the right end.
  22. 22
    Go left, back to the room with the two Quetzalcoatls. Drop down below the dark platform.
  23. 23
    You'll arrive in a stairway with many ghosts. Drop to the bottom, go right.
  24. 24
    In the room with a rolling boulder, use the owl morph to reach the upper left corner for the [Book of Death].
  25. 25
    Use the toad morph to reach the lower right corner for the [Meteor] Dual Crush skill.
  26. 26
    Make your way right past the rolling boulders, exit right.
  27. 27
    Defeat three Lesser Demon enemies. Exit right.
  28. 28
    Drop down to the bottom of the next stairway room. Choose the passage leading west.
  29. 29
    Kill Elgiza enemies. Exit in the left end.
  30. 30
    Slay a Gorgon and a Lightkeeper. Head left and grab the [Platinum Corset] near the westmost wall.
  31. 31
    Return to the stairway room. Choose the passage at the bottom leading east.
  32. 32
    Defeat a Jack 'O Bones enemy, go right to defeat another. Exit right.
  33. 33
    You'll find a stairway room split into three parts (lower, middle, upper). Drop to the bottom of the lower part, then head right through a mummy-infested room.
  34. 34
    At the other side, find a warp point and a save room.
  35. 35
    Go back to the top of the upper part of the last stairway room. Defeat Red Skeletons on your way. Exit left. Ignore the exit at the top of the stairway for now.
  36. 36
    In this area, defeat a Demon Head and some Jack 'O Bones enemies. Exit left.
  37. 37
    In the next area, kill a Tanjelly. Grab the [$2000] from the lower left corner.
  38. 38
    Head up to the path above. Slay a Tanjelly and an Old Axe Armor.
Tips
  • The Griffon Wing relic allows you to jump extremely high by holding UP and pressing the L button. Practice using this new ability.
  • Some areas may be difficult to map; explore thoroughly.
  • Be mindful of Dodo enemies, as they run away quickly.
  • Pay attention to environmental hazards like spikes and rolling boulders.
  • Eye for an Eye (Spell)
  • Super Tonic (Item)
  • Curry (Item)
  • Super Potion (Item)
  • Attica Helmet (Armor)
  • Griffon Wing (Relic)
  • Princess Tiara (Accessory)
  • Book of Death (Item)
  • Meteor (Dual Crush Skill)
  • Platinum Corset (Armor)
  • $2000 (Currency)
  • $2000 (Currency)
  • Venus Brooch (Accessory)
  • MP Max Up (Item)
  • MP Max Up (Item)
  • HP Max Up (Item)
  • Holy Mail (Armor)

Burnt Paradise [wa13]

Navigate the treacherous Burnt Paradise in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Find all items including HP/MP Max Ups, Great Axe, and Tome of Arms 3 with our detailed walkthrough.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Start by running right through a room with two swinging blades, then proceed to a room with a fire wheel. Kill a Guillotiner and head right to find the first save room in Burnt Paradise.
  2. 2
    Go one room back left, then drop down to a new area with a Tanjelly. Exit right to a small outdoor area with blue curtains. Head right to an area with a swinging blade below. Avoid the blade and exit in the lower right.
  3. 3
    This area has Medusa Heads, an Armor Knight, and Tanjelly enemies. Grab the [Tinned Spinach] from the upper right rooftop. Drop down in the lower left corner.
  4. 4
    In the next area, kill a Tanjelly on the wall and a Jack 'O Bones on the bottom. Jump upwards in the middle and go left from the swinging blade to find [Spoiled Milk].
  5. 5
    Take the [Great Axe] hidden right of a flame wheel, then exit in the lower right. Kill the DoubleAxe Armor and the Old Axe Armor. Exit right of where the Old Axe Armor was, by dropping down.
  6. 6
    In the underground passage, head right into a room with blue curtains and a save point. Drop down left of the save point.
  7. 7
    Kill a Gorgon, head left to slay a Guillotiner, then drop down past the burning wheel. Find a small room with an [HP Max Up] guarded by Ripper enemies.
  8. 8
    Go back up and exit right of the burning wheel. Watch for Buster Armor projectiles and take out Skeleton Tree enemies. Use the Griffon Wing Jump to reach the top and exit right into a passage.
  9. 9
    Exit upwards to a room containing an [MP Max Up]. Drop back down. Avoid the swinging blade, drop down to a new area, then further down, left of a swinging blade.
  10. 10
    Slay a Death Warrior, head left through a room with blue curtains, then drop down into the underground passage near Vice Beetles and Jack 'O Bones.
  11. 11
    Take the [Financier] in the lower right corner, outside the house. Walk through the house, kill enemies, and exit left.
  12. 12
    Past another burning wheel, drop down, head to the upper left corner, kill the Armor Knight, and take the [Tome of Arms 3]. Exit in the lower left corner.
  13. 13
    Kill Tanjellys and an Armor Knight, then exit again in the lower left corner. Drop down and exit left into a room with many Ripper enemies. Kill them and break the box in the upper left to find a [Truffle].
  14. 14
    Slay Yoricks in the ceiling of the next room. Drop down, ignore the boss gate, and head right to find a save room. A warp point is left of a swinging blade.
  15. 15
    Return to the room above the boss gate, head left to a new area with Rippers. Continue left until you see a red item near a swinging blade. Use the toad morph to cross the passage and grab the [Super Tonic].
  16. 16
    Jump upwards out of the next area, kill a Ripper, and grab the [Engagement Ring] inside the house. Exit in the upper left corner.
  17. 17
    Kill Jack 'O Bones inside the house, grab the [Ice Cream], and exit at the top. Exit left to reach blue curtains. Kill the DoubleAxe Armor and exit upwards.
  18. 18
    Head left, take out a Vice Beetle, then jump upwards to an area with Medusa Heads and a fire wheel. Reach the top for an [MP Max Up].
  19. 19
    Drop down to the room with Medusa Heads and exit in the upper right. Kill Buster Armors, exit in the lower right.
  20. 20
    Slay a Vice Beetle, drop down to the small room below, and take the [HP Max Up]. Jump back up and exit right.
  21. 21
    Take out Rippers, head left, slay a Gorgon, and jump upwards to find a new Save Room. Head right from here.
Tips
  • The area contains numerous hazards like swinging blades and fire wheels, requiring careful platforming.
  • Enemies include Tanjelly, Guillotiner, Jack 'O Bones, Medusa Heads, Armor Knight, Old Axe Armor, DoubleAxe Armor, Death Warrior, Buster Armor, Skeleton Tree, Gorgon, Ripper, Vice Beetle, and Yoricks.
  • Key items found include Tinned Spinach, Spoiled Milk, Great Axe, HP Max Up (x2), MP Max Up (x2), Financier, Tome of Arms 3, Truffle, Super Tonic, Engagement Ring, and Ice Cream.
  • Utilize the toad morph to access certain areas.
  • The guide suggests collecting items before fighting the boss for a more enjoyable experience.

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