From SectionX2 by newest NP (Nintendo Power I believe?) info:
- Game takes place in mid 1800s when Belmont went missing
- All people unsuccessful at combating Dracula until Ecclesia formed
- Shanoa is the main character - first time a female stars
- Shanoa can use Glyphs (have many abilities) - source of Shanoa?s power
- ?No real weapons in this game? - Glyphs used for every attack with MP
- Glyphs can change form: Ex - turn into a sword
- Glyphs located in environments, found when enemies dropped them, and other ways
- New layer of strategy due to glyph MP consumption with glyphs
- MP refills quickly when not attacking
- Can create combos
- Glyph Union special attack: Huge sword travels across the screen, constant barrage of knife hits -requires hearts
- Glyphs can be used in other ways: Ex - Produce magnetic field and cling to metal rods
- Barlowe part of Order of Ecclesia - gives tips and teaches you about your abilities at the beginning
- Albus also part of the Ecclesia group - Takes Dominus at the start of the game(the best Glyph weapon against the Dracula) - Shanoa loses her memory + power)
- World map utilized
- More than 20 locales in the game, Shanoa travels to find Dominus
- Save statues, teleport rooms return
- Side quests given by rescued villagers - villager data available in menui
- Game looks more mature, somber, painted than other games on the DS
- Michiru Yamane handling sound again
- No returning characters except for Dracula
- Returning from previous versions: Leveling-up, dodging (L/R buttons), select button to switch between map and stats, hard difficulty setting, multiple endings, Wi-Fi support
- Wi-Fi: New item interface: you can have your own shop, vs. competition considers items used and damaged received to determine winner
- Other features NP can?t talk about
P.S. That is indeed better than Kojima IMO!