Castlevania: Shadow of Ecclesia – Prologue
Version: 1.0.0a
Build Date: 30 March, 2025
Developer: Project Dread
Contact:
🌐 https://www.facebook.com/ShadowOfEcclesia
💬 https://discord.com/invite/yXBwxt3Gzw

📜 Introduction
Welcome to the Public Early Access Build of Castlevania: Shadow of Ecclesia – Prologue!
This is a free fan-made game, created in tribute to Order of Ecclesia. The Prologue chapter introduces players to the Nightmare Castle and lays the groundwork for the full adventure to come. Your feedback and support will help shape future updates.

📥 Installation & How to Play
1. Extract the game folder to a location of your choice.
2. Run Shadow_of_Ecclesia.exe to start the game.
3. Controls can be configured in the settings menu.

🖥️ Changing Resolution
- Press "F1" - Change game to native resolution
- Press "F2" - Change game to x2 scaled resolution
- Press "F3" - Change game to x3 scaled resolution
- Press "+"  - Change game to Full Screen mode
- Press "-"  - Change game to Windowed Mode

🎮 Gameplay Notes
This build includes the full Prologue Chapter, featuring:
- The Nightmare Castle
- A reimagined combat system
- Three bosses: The Creature, Rusalka, and The Trio
- A custom soundtrack and newly designed areas

💬 Patch Notes
 v1.0.0a:
- Fixed game breaking bug where Keyboard players could not leave Map and Config screens.


Note: Some areas of the castle are inaccessible in this Prologue. Additional content is planned for future releases.

🔑 Abilities & Input Guide

Ability                             Input
----------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------
Heavy Attack                        Press [UP] + [X] / [Y]
Slide Kick (iFrames)                Press [A] while holding [DOWN]
Neutral Back Dash (iFrames)         Press [L]
Forward Dodge Roll (iFrames)        Press [FORWARD] + [L]
Holy Water                          Press [FORWARD] [FORWARD] [Y]
Holy Grenade                        Hold [R], then press [FORWARD] [FORWARD] [Y]
Glacial Dash                        Hold [R], then press [UP] + [L]
Holy Cross                          Press [FORWARD] [FORWARD] [X]
Knee Kick (iFrames)                 Press [DOWN] [FORWARD] [X]
Spin Kick (iFrames)                 Press [DOWN] [FORWARD] [X] Twice
Shiki Kick (iFrames)                Press [DOWN] [FORWARD] [X] Three times

⚠️ Important Note: Game Directory Compatibility
The game’s save system may fail to work properly if the game is located in a directory with non-ASCII characters (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, accented letters, etc.).

✅ To avoid issues, please extract and run the game from a folder with only standard ASCII characters (A-Z, 0-9, basic punctuation).

Examples of compatible directories:
	C:\Games\Shadow_of_Ecclesia\
	D:\Projects\Castlevania\
	E:\Downloads\SoE\

Examples of incompatible directories:
	C:\游戏\Shadow_of_Ecclesia\
	D:\Mis Juegos\Castlevania Épico\

⚠️ If you encounter issues saving or loading the game, try moving the game folder to a compatible directory.

🐛 Reporting Bugs & Feedback
If you encounter bugs, crashes, or balancing issues, please share them on the Discord server. Use the format below to help us reproduce and fix them:

📌 Issue Description: Brief summary of the problem
📌 Steps to Reproduce: What actions triggered it?
📌 Media: Screenshots or video if possible

🔗 Submit feedback here:
👉 https://discord.com/invite/yXBwxt3Gzw

⚠️ Known Issues

🎮 Gameplay
- Forward dash sound may not play during rapid consecutive dodges
- L/R Glyph Loadouts may need to be disabled
- Lag when music begins in some stages
- Some music tracks do not loop cleanly

🖥️ UI & Visuals
- Equipment colors in UI icons may not match actual gear
- Relic combo icons missing from Start screen
- Some item descriptions overflow their UI box

⚠️ Major Bugs & Softlocks
- Maria's cutscene in Dark Archives may reset under specific conditions (unconfirmed)
- Certain dialog sequences may cause a softlock (tentative fix applied)

✅ Fixed in this build:
- Weapon select UI reflects X/Y loadouts
- Arena exit issue resolved
- Grant boss orb spawn fixed
- Maria cutscene softlock resolved
- Map screen navigation restored

💬 Additional Notes
- This game is freeware and made for fans of the Castlevania series.
- Please do not rehost or redistribute the files outside of official mirrors.
- Constructive feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you for playing Shadow of Ecclesia! 🦇

🎨 Credits

🖥️ Programming & Development
Chris "Dragon" Sellars

🎨 Sprites & Graphics
- Shanoa Sprite Mods & Map Layout – Kuro Kurome
- Shanoa Spin Kick Animation – Micael Senpai
- Shanoa Shiki Kick & Dodge Roll – Riklaionel
- Relic Glyph Sprites – Drameloch
- Start Menu UI Sprites – Siikikala

Grant Sprite Contributors:
T-800 Fat Albert, PT_Ahms, Elpegaso7, Serio’s Castlevania Fighter Team

Other In-Game Graphics:
Konami

🙏 Special Thanks
- LagoLunatic – DSVania Editor
- Ben (Ramen Shaman) – Feedback, Testing, Software Support
- fnkycoldmadeanr – Glyph Absorb Effect
- NaitorStudios – Rain Effect Shader

🎵 Stage Music

Original Tracks by PopCat (https://www.youtube.com/@mike_pop):
- Touch the Moon
- Unholy Chapel
- Enter the Deadly Dream
- Gloomy Tostadas
- Pantaloons of Evil

Remastered Arrangements by PopCat:
- An Empty Tome (OoE)
- Chamber of Ruin (OoE)
- Hard Won Nobility (OoE)
- Study (OoE)

Legacy Tracks – Michiru Yamane / Konami:
- Heroic Dawning (OoE)
- Piercing Silence (OoE)
- Dissonant Courage (OoE)
- Stones Hold a Grudge (OoE)
- Welcome to Legend (OoE)
- Door to Heaven (OoE)
