As a portent of things to come last month, a rating for Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia turned up in the Entertainment Software Rating Board's online database. Naturally published by Konami, the online listing indicated Order of Ecclesia would be the Belmont family's third trek onto Nintendo's DS behind 2005's Dawn of Sorrow and 2006's Portrait of Ruin.

　　Speak softly and carry a big sword. As part of its Gamers' Day event today, Konami unsurprisingly confirmed Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for the DS, saying the game would arrive on Nintendo's platform this fall. The ESRB couldn't be bothered with spilling details on the game when it rated it T for Teen, so Konami's announcement today shined more light on what gamers can expect later this year.

　　As a member of the oath-sworn Order of Ecclesia, players assume the role of a heroine named Shinoa, which producer Koji Igarashi called a code-name in an interview with GameSpot. Vampire hunting is once again paramount to the game's story, and players will employ a number of tactics, including the new Glyph attack mechanic, to defeat Dracula's minions.

　　Order of Ecclesia's single-player experience offers 20 different areas to explore, with environments ranging from forests to oceans. The game will also put to use the DS's Wi-Fi Connection for head-to-head multiplayer battles, and players will also be able to go online to buy and sell items they acquire during their journeys.