Castlevania: SotN

This version of the 1997 classic on PlayStation is an excellent port of the game but lacking a few things; particularly in the vein of syncing save data across devices to pick up where one left off from another device, and the ability to customize the controller input just like with previous versions of the game. Personally I am used to having my attack buttons assigned to Square and Triangle respectively. There was no way of knowing how to access some of the game’s features that have been readily available from the start, such as the Castle Map, when pressing the Select button (on older console versions) or the touchpad (on PS4); without having to research the function online. I hope these are things that can be updated over time as the game has always been quite enjoyable. It would also be nice to able to access a quick reference to Richter and Maria’s skills when at the pause menu. This version of the “Symphony” is the PSP port that would be used in later/current iterations of the game as of 2007; meaning Maria Renard is playable as well along with Richter Belmont. Using a controller synced to your mobile device makes playing the game as simple as operating from a console but the game itself isn’t as straightforward as previous versions, again owing to the altered mechanics for use with iOS. But it is well worth the $3.00 as you can now play “Symphony” right off your mobile. A must have if you are a fan of this classic game or the franchise as a whole, and you enjoy the “Metroidvania” format introduced with this game.

As other people have said, the touch controls are terrible, but I managed to beat the entire game, including beating Galamoth, with them, so you don’t actually need a controller to play this game. As such, my rating is based solely on the game itself. As it strands, Symphony of the Night is a classic, but I’ve found it’s aged quite a bit compared to the later Castlevania games, which improved upon its formula. The main issue with this game is that it is ridiculously unbalanced. The hardest part of the game was the opening section. This was probably mainly due to learning the controls, but a large part of it was that once you get a decent set of armor and weapon, most of the challenge goes away. The only things that remain difficult are a few of bosses (all optional except for the final boss) and one enemy in the late game. I did not even have to look up any exploits, I just used whatever items I found while playing, though I think Galamoth glitched up towards the ending of his fight which made taking him out easier. On the flip side, there are several points in the game where you essentially you to explore every last inch of the map to figure out where to progress in the game, not just find optional secrets, which is quite frustrating. The game is also missing many connivance feature that later Castlevania games have, ranging from being able to use items in your inventory to being able to access the enemy list at all times to a boss rush. It’s still a classic and pretty good for an iOS game, but I’d rather one of the DS games be ported.

Let’s go back to when this title hit America! This is really the best game ever made hands down (90s), and this is what transformed so many other games to replicate its authenticity! And yet Nothing can beat it because it is what fans wanted in all the other games? they will never replicate it and meet its match. Even if this game came out on the current phones we have now, Yes I approve of this game no matter what. It’s my love life and success I had as a kid and remembered all the sweat and sleepless nights achieving the most difficult of bosses and actually using my wits to improve my skills as a gamer. And actually studied and talked with friends about skills to use and actually learning spells through guides and handbooks that didn’t come out til new game magazines gave us hints and tricks to learn that YES more stuff in the castle was to be explored!!!!!! And yet. As an adult looking back at this game and downloading it made me look at my childhood and see what I have become today. Sure problems are here and there on this download and touching the screen and not enhancing the screen bigger and making the graphics a tide more tighter to today’s standards would help it. But I just want to say thank you for releasing this title to my hands. As I can see my inner childhood grow brighter!