Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia/Gameplay

Glyphs
Unlike previous Castlevania games, Shanoa's main attacks are glyphs. She has three glyphs: main glyph, sub glyph, and back glyph. Main and sub glyphs are attacks, while back glyphs are usually supportive. Each glyph uses a certain amount of MP, but MP recharges quickly when not attacking. Each glyph is also associated with a specific attribute.

Glyphs can be obtained in several ways. Some randomly appear after an enemy is defeated. Some can only be absorbed when an enemy is using a glyph. Others can be found in statues. Glyphs are absorbed by holding. Each glyph absorbed adds 1 point to all attributes and replenishes 10 hearts.

By pressing and either  or, a glyph union will be performed, which is a stronger attack. Glyph unions cost hearts instead of MP.

Attribute Points
Attribute points are gained when enemies are defeated with glyphs. There are six attributes: slash, strike, fire, ice, lightning, darkness, and light. The more points gained, the stronger the glyphs become.

Status
There are three status effects that Shanoa can experience.
 * Poison : Drains HP and lowers stats.
 * Curse : Drains MP.
 * Stone : Shanoa becomes immobile. Keep tapping the Dpad to break free.
 * Freeze : Same with Stone. But cannot break free with just tapping until you get hit again.

Items
A variety of items can be found throughout the game. Shanoa can equip a head gear, body gear, leg gear, and two accessories. There are also several use items that replenish either HP, MP, or hearts. Many use items don't have a functionality other than a requirement for quests.

Chests
Throughout the game are five kinds of chests that contain various items. Each chest can only be opened once, except for wooden and green chests. They can be opened each time after revisiting a map. Each map has a set pool of items which the wooden and green chests randomly select from.