So remember when Castlevania was a more linear platformer adventure game? Yeah, there was a weird point where Konami decided to make a change to the formula of Castlevania, and weather it was going to be permanent or this was just a little experiment, the point is, Symphony of the Night changed the franchise for a good while into a massive explorative game, hence why they call these kinds of games Metroidvania. So, in short, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a damn good game.
Taking place a few days after the events of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Richter Belmont goes missing without a trace, only to end up in the hands of Dracula in order to end the Belmont bloodline. But, a new characters comes into the game, Alucard, the son of Dracula who wishes to help humans rather than hate them. He lays siege to the castle in the hopes of finding Richter and stopping Dracula once and for all (Even though he comes back in future games, but details). First off, the game is far different cause you got a massive castle to explore. And I mean this castle is freaking huge. Long corridors, a tall outside exterior, a huge library, a massive alchemy lab, a battleground, and so, so much more for you to see. The castle is not short on areas for you to go through. And you can explore this castle in many ways to find all sorts of secrets. As Alucard, sure, but also in his bat form to reach higher places, in his wolf form to get to closing doors, and in his ghost form to seep through crack and bars, to find secret items and treasures. Another thing different is how the game gets rid of the usual weapon, the whip, and allows Alucard to pick up and equip weapons and armor on the fly, like an RPG. I thought I had to use my current weapon, and as a result, got my ass kicked on the first time through before I learned what I needed to do. After that, I had to just work around not dying to the plethora of bosses and enemies. This game, just like the levels, has a ton of enemies that are so uniquely designed. Based on both classic mythology and literature, as well as being original to Castlevania, a lot of these enemies are horrifying or straight up cool. Even some annoying enemies make returns, like the Fleaman and the Medusa Heads, but are far less annoying than before. The bosses are also pretty fun to face. Even fighting Dracula for the twenty millionth time feels fresh and fun. And then we reach the Reverased Castle. After you think you got everything figured out and are ready to take on Dracula, the castle flips over, and you are forced to go through a completely different version of the castle. Some people would consider this back tracking, but no, I see it as something else. You’re perception of the castle is changed now, as well as the castle having more powerful bosses and much tougher enemies all around. It’s not backtracking, it’s a new level entirely. And we can’t talk about this game without bringing up the soundtrack. It’s not called Symphony of the Night for nothing. The music has a ton of great tracks, all ranging from slow and ominous to fast paced and grand. A real classic from the franchise that has already had some bangers of scores, ever since the days of chiptune.
Symphony of the Night was a game that really took the franchise in the right direction, if you ask me. It’s hard to talk about the best Castlevania games in the franchise without talking about this all time classic, and why would you leave it out anyway. I’m glad that Castlevania is being brought back into memory thanks to Smash Ultimate, even when Konami refuses to acknowledge it. And I will happily play this game again no matter how many times they re-release it.
Come little children
Come with me.
I’ll take you to a land
Of fantasy
Please little children
Don’t you cry
Hypno wouldn’t even
Hurt a fly
Please little children
Don’t you squirm
These ropes, I know
Will hold you firm
I know I said
This isn’t true.
But sadly,
Hypno lied to you
Now, little children
You weren’t clever
Now you’re trapped with me
Forever…
And then the police broke in, beat me up, and arrested me on several accounts of attempted pedophilia. I guess I should have tied them up in a cave instead of a big white van with candy in the back
Come with me.
I’ll take you to a land
Of fantasy
Please little children
Don’t you cry
Hypno wouldn’t even
Hurt a fly
Please little children
Don’t you squirm
These ropes, I know
Will hold you firm
I know I said
This isn’t true.
But sadly,
Hypno lied to you
Now, little children
You weren’t clever
Now you’re trapped with me
Forever…
And then the police broke in, beat me up, and arrested me on several accounts of attempted pedophilia. I guess I should have tied them up in a cave instead of a big white van with candy in the back