The
famous Castlevania series needs no introduction among most gamers. From its NES
debut more than twenty years ago, through its many sequels, Castlevania has
consistently been one of the most rewarding and entertaining electronic games on
the market. The Playstation edition more than lives up to the tradition and
innovates new features in several important gameplay areas - many of which have
returned in the more recent DS version. This legendary installment
continues the saga of the Belmont clan and their eternal battle against the evil
Dracula. The game begins with the player taking the role of Alucard, the son of
Dracula who is half-man and monster. Once players get past the gorgeous opening
cinema, the action begins. The game itself is very familiar to veterans of the
saga. Most of the conventions and play mechanics that made the older games in
the series so appealing remain intact. Some players may find the pre-amble of
replaying the climactic battle from Castlevania:Bloodlines a bit off-putting. It
seems a bit pointless but it does set the stage for the adventure and closely
links the plot.
You
can say that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a traditional two-dimensional platform game with RPG
elements, but it's actually more than that. This is an
excellent combination expertly implemented, since it infuses what could be a standard action-title
with deep strategic longevity making this one of the best PS games ever made
from a pure gameplay standpoint. Players battle a wide variety ghouls and goblins
throughout Dracula's castle while also accumulating an arsenal of powerful weapons such as
swords, special power ups and magic spells that increase's Alucard's powers and
abilities. You gain strength as they
progress through the game and have ability to leave some special weapons in
their arsenal for the tough end-bosses, which is another key element that makes
the game so entertaining. The castle is a huge area that players
must navigate which is much larger than the levels in previous games, you'll
have to spend a lot of time backtracking and retracing your steps, which can be
annoying but also adds to the challenge. Another
big change from previous installments, is that the levels are designed in such a
manner that is an entirely non-linear game.
Players will visit many areas on multiple occasions, with each revealing new
secrets and special items as the player acquires more strength and experience.
Thanks to the many secrets and power-ups, it constantly renews itself for the
player. There are many special rooms in which gamers can save progress and
replentish their health. These rooms seem to fit into playing organically,
helping that game's flow seem natural. This
system is superior to remembering awkward passwords and absolutely a change for
the better. As the game progresses, the player may acquire an on-screen map,
which helps make the adventure less daunting. Controlling and managing the
inventory of weapons spells and magic is intuitive thanks to the smartly
designed interface.
There
is much area for players to cover in this huge adventure. Its safe to say that
there's more than the average player can handle in a single sitting. The levels
themselves are straightforward enough that progress is frequent so that most
sessions with the game give the player a satisfying sense of achievement. Master
players may find the game too easy while average players will find the balance
perfect. It is important to point out that despite the RPG elements, it doesn't
really slow down play and action
is still the main thrust of the game. Castlevania fans needn’t worry, the
classic arcade style gameplay is still very much the main thrust of the game.
What was great about the series has only been improved by Konami's myriad
enhancements. The control is tight,
instantly familiar and gorgeous. Castlevania:SOTN’s main draws include it’s
rich gothic-flavored graphics. Appropriately dark and foreboding, the rooms
contain many horrifying visual chills and thrills. This is evident in the
beautiful character animation. Players can see Alucard’s cape flowing as he
moves. The huge bosses look incredible, the visual treats are plentiful. The
artwork and design are exceptional throughout, showcasing the game’s
distinctively ghoulish personality with plenty of detail and style. The
multi-planed backgrounds are elaborate and make stunning use of light-sourcing.
Players will notice Pentagrams on walls, dark storm clouds and even the
occasional corpse in the backgrounds. Foregrounds are also rich in visual
splendor with flickering gas lamps used to enhance the game’s horror-steeped
atmosphere. It’s obvious that much effort went into the special effects. The
richly colored attacks are quite stunning at points. Each
level has its own distinct feel, visually - making for a game that is quite
beautiful.
The
‘symphony’ in the game’s title is apt as the game’s soundtrack only
enhances and enriches the atmosphere. The ‘night symphonies’ range from
semi-classical to re-worked versions of classic themes from earlier games. Some
are instantly recognizable, giving the game a surprisingly high hit of
nostalgia. Each room in the castle
has its own ominous theme. The music is memorable and makes the game stand out
in the crowd. The sound effects of grunts and groans are clear and of
exceptionally high quality. The voice-overs of the characters are the lone
drawback. The acting is overwrought and somewhat disappointing given the
otherwise outstanding presentation. This is a very small blotch on what is an
otherwise sterling soundtrack. Players will find much that is familiar and many
surprises throughout the game. This is the game’s main strength and
recommendation. Some may argue that
the game breaks little new ground, that despite the graphics, special effects
this is still just more of the same old Castlevania. That point is moot. The major reason to purchase the game doesn’t lie in revolutionary technology. Far from
it - this is about as conservative in approach as you can get. This title
showcases the perfect technique to enhance and reinvigorate a series to make it
fresh and entertaining. This is a thin line to walk without throwing away what
works. Konami has walked that line like an expert, and this is a reason why the
game has achieved such legendary status over the past decade. Symphony of
the Night definitely remains one of the high water marks for the series
and its reputation has only increased over the past decade. It definitely
set the template for the games to come on the Game Boy Advance and DS. Add addicting, entrancing
music and lush graphics, not to mention a thoroughly
enjoyable experience and you’ll understand why this is such a highly sought
after title on the collector's market. It's rumored inclusion on Xbox Live
plus the port apparently appearing on the upcoming Dracula X remake on the
PSP should make it more accessible for a broader audience, which should
give this classic installment of the series an even higher degree of
esteem. - Michael Palisano
Grade: A+
