Four years after the release of Castlevania X (a PC Engine game that never saw a US release) SOTN was the next entry into Konami’s series. This time instead of a Belmont, you play as Adrian Fahrenheit (aka Alucard), the son of Dracula.
Alucard has a wide array of weapons to wield, can back-dash and even cast Street Fighter-style spells by pressing certain buttons.
Gameplay
When it comes to 2D side-scrollers, few can match the level of excellence that Symphony of the Night delivers. The game’s fluid gameplay is a joy to behold. It’s easy to see why SOTN has become a beloved classic.
The game begins with Richter Belmont fighting Dracula in a re-enactment of the final battle in Dracula X. After defeating the vampire lord, players take control of Alucard, the son of Dracula, who sealed himself away after the events of Castlevania 3.
The player traverses through the first castle and its levels. This includes the Marble Gallery, the Outer Wall, and a grueling fight against Slogra and Gaibon, followed by a quest to find the Master Librarian and a trek through the Underground Caverns. Finally, the Inverted Castle awaits – where the player will fight against Galamoth and Fake Dracula in a boss battle that can be incredibly challenging without proper preparation. Throughout the entire castle, there are also numerous weapons and items to be found.
Graphics
The graphics in Symphony of the Night are stunning and incredibly detailed. Despite the NES’s limitations, Konami artists were able to create a convincing set of dark castle corridors and cellars, packed with bats, spiders and skeletons for Alucard to battle, and decked out with props like holy water, crosses and chandeliers.
The character sprites are a particular highlight, with most fans considering them to be some of the best 2D sprites ever created. Aside from the main characters, Alucard and Richter Belmont, the game also features a variety of spiritual helpers that players can enlist to aid them in their quest. These helpers can level up as they fight, giving them increased attacks and other capabilities.
The game was released in a standard edition and a luxury edition that comes hand-numbered and with an artist certificate of authenticity. It is available to purchase for a limited time through the official Konami store on their website.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack in Symphony of the Night is one of the best in the series, featuring many iconic tracks that still stand the test of time. The music from this game is a perfect blend of different genres, including classical, techno, gothic rock, new age, and jazz. Michiru Yamane’s compositions are truly timeless, and the game’s ambiance helps to create an immersive experience.
Whether you’re playing the original Castlevania games or the more modern ones, the soundtracks are always great. They’re also a great way to relax and unwind, especially after a long day of gaming.
Mondo, in partnership with Konami, is proud to present the soundtrack to one of the most iconic video games of all time – Castlevania: Symphony of the Night – on 2 eco-wax vinyl discs! Housed in a gatefold jacket. Includes 7 bonus tracks not found on the original CD version of the game!
Replayability
A definite classic, Symphony of the Night is everything a great video game should be. It has amazing graphics, great sound, an easy to use control system, a great storyline and plenty of replay value.
It also helped pioneer the “Metroidvania” sub-genre of action platformers, in which a character explores a large castle and collects items to progress through a story. Until this point, the Castlevania series had been known for stiff and difficult-to-control characters, but SotN has amazingly smooth controls for Alucard.
This is the first in the series to incorporate RPG elements. Throughout the game, players will find weapons and spells that can be used to kill enemies, as well as food and potions for restoring health. Additionally, the game has a leveling system that allows Alucard to gain bonuses as he progresses through Dracula’s cursed castle. These bonuses are earned by defeating hard enemies, and are balanced out so that skilled players won’t have an unfair advantage over newer players.