Castlevania symphony of the night

[dreamcast4ever83]

Well I planed on doing a review of this game when I finish it but in the meantime I just wanna say that this game has pretty much broken my castlvania cherry. Sure I have castlevania 1-3 but to be honest it's been son long since i have palyed those I have forgotten quite a bit so this feels new to me.

The thing is I recall castlevania dracula's curse to be my favoret on the nes I also enjoyed both the first and simon's quest despite the hate that game get's Although aspects of it I found to be quite frustrating.


So far I have played Symphony of the night for say 4 hours and I really love it!! I would say that this is by far the best out of all the one's I have played. It's a perfect mix of fantastic traditional 2d graphics mixed with great gameplay, Story and even better the fact you get cut scenes and voices. This fo me is the perfect castlevania game it just feels right and like this would be a peak in the series which is honestly scaring me now.

Im enjoying this so much im afraid to go on to the next one that was made on ps1 and so to the 3d realm of castlevania. I feel that this game is meant to live in a 2D world and I don't wanna go on and be disappointed using this game as a standard. So my really question is to all of you fans out there.

Where shall I go after i finish this one? I plan to get every ending

[Nemoide]

It's definitely a great game and what makes Castlevania such an awesome series.

Sadly, the only other games in the series in its vein have been the handheld titles for Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Those are all definitely worth playing. Well, maybe not Harmony of Dissonance.

[flojocabron]

theres pretty much two endings.

I just dont want to spoil it too much.

check out the cameos from other games and dont get too frustrated.

Theres plenty of save points, but kinda early in the game theres a couple of places where it gets harder.

There are plenty of games similar to this like nemiode said.

After SoTN, pretty much all (castlevania) games went with this formula.

If you're gonna get some sequels, get the Caslevania Double Pack for the GBA.

Lots to do there.

[BurningDoom]

SoTN is the pinnacle of the series, IMO. If you want more of the same, like other have pointed out, look to the GBA and DS. The other Castlevania games with similar gameplay:

-Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (GBA)
-Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA)
-Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA)
-Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
-Castlevania: Order of Ecclessia (DS)
-Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)

If you love these style of games, and you haven't already checked out the 2D Metroid games, then you must. Very similar, and just as well made (if not better). Cave Story on PC and Wii Ware is also fantastic, and in the same vein, but short.

[Xeogred]

Broke your Castlevania cherry, wow! ...

Actually I think SoTN does have a big fault to it, despite it probably being my favorite in the series as well... it is mindblowingly easy. Seriously one of the easiest games out there. Even the "X" (won't spoil it) mode isn't an upgraded challenge at all.

So this is one thing I really like about the handled Metroidvania's since they're quite a bit more challenging. CoTM has some insane bosses, especially the final one. And Ecclesia just doesn't mess around at all.

I'm going to say my favorite ones on the handhelds in the SoTN style are:
- Order of Ecclesia
- Aria of Sorrow
- Circle of the Moon

Harmony of Dissonance is the only one I didn't like at all, mainly because they messed up the physics big time and the music just kind of sucked.

Just be sure you really finish SoTN, and don't miss out on half the game. You're going to want to go for 100%+ completion for all of them to get the best endings and typically a lot more content within the game is unlocked as well, new stages and bosses, etc.

All the old classic CV's are absolutely worth playing as well though. The first three on the NES, Super IV, Bloodlines, Dracula X and Rondo of Blood.

So basically you just need to play every 2D Castlevania. ASAP.

[Onikage]

I'm also playing it, the Japanese version, because the voice acting is better.

[dreamcast4ever83]

I'm also playing it, the Japanese version, because the voice acting is better.

Ya the voice acting is quite laughable but really does not bother me one bit although I'd say voice acting not as good as say popful mail (not perfect though by any means) and way better then resident evil original

[brunoafh]

I agree with all of Xeogred's post, particularly the bit about the difficulty. I love SotN as much as the next guy, but the utter lack of challenge bogs it down a little bit, especially since when you think Castlevania, you think of a game with a high level of difficulty. Not only can you pretty much steamroll the entire game without trying once you have a hang of things, there are also several ways to break the game and pretty much straight up cheat. Every boss in the game can be beaten with the shield rod trick in a matter of seconds.

One thing I always liked about the game was the amount of depth there is to be had with Alucard's moveset and with the weapons. It was one of those games where you slowly figure out new tricks and attacks. Loads of secrets and hidden areas too. I didn't know about that teleport attack you can do with the Alucard Sword until years after I first played the game. In the long run though the expansive moveset you're given is more or less useless aside from looking cool though because the game is so easy. If there was some challenge the game would feel much more rewarding and be better for it. Heck I would have loved the entire thing to be bone-crushingly hard.

Order of Ecclesia brings back the difficulty that was lacking in the series for some time. Circle of the Moon had some challenge but overall I don't remember having any trouble with it. The Sorrow games were more steamroll games. It also alters the formula quite a bit and winds up making the franchise feel fresh again. It's the reason I bought a DS and one of the only reasons I still keep one around.

[retrosportsgamer]

Actually I think SoTN does have a big fault to it, despite it probably being my favorite in the series as well... it is mindblowingly easy.

I liked this part about it - I think the length of the game mitigated some of 'easiness' for me. Still felt like an accomplishment to get 100%.

[isiolia]

Actually I think SoTN does have a big fault to it, despite it probably being my favorite in the series as well... it is mindblowingly easy.

I liked this part about it - I think the length of the game mitigated some of 'easiness' for me. Still felt like an accomplishment to get 100%.

It does make the game more about trying to find things than just surviving or getting through. My Order of Ecclesia save is still sitting at the last boss with most of the bonus dungeons untouched because the challenge in doing them just isn't fun to me.