Oopsie. I was in such a rush last night to post the screens for the new Castlevania that I forgot to look at the other info. Well, no time like the present, right?

According to Kotaku, this game will mark the first time that Castlevania will have featured a female lead protagonist, though I'm sure that Sonia Belmont sympathizers will disagree. This time out, however, the lady's name will be Shenoa.

The events of the game take place many years after the disappearance of the Belmont clan, though Dracula's reign is still going strong. There have been many organizations who have tried to stand up to him, but the only one even close to doing it capably would seem to be the titular (and suitably mysterious) Order of Ecclesia.

And as you can tell by the art, it looks like the more standard anime style has gone by the wayside, in favor of something more Castlevania-traditional. The combat has changed, too, now relying more on a "glyph" system that sees Shenoa absorb magical glyphs that let her get medieval on some asses with magical attacks.

Application of the glyphs is threefold: You can use them with your left hand, right hand, or even on your back. They can be used at will, but will sap magic points from your reserves; equip the same glyph to both hands, and you'll find the attacks to be quicker, but also more taxing on your magic points.

Another new addition is a world map which allows for travel beyond the castle walls. Now, areas such as mountains and sinking ships will be available to explore. And a friend can even join in via DS local wireless for co-op play.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia will be available in short order, come this Fall, and Koji Igarashi is promising to try to make sure the game makes it out on time, without delays.