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Better then the best sex.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: July 28, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Quite frankly you are smoking rocks if this game doesn't become one of the most pleasantly infectious gaming memories of your life. I should really hate this game for the hundreds of hours it has managed to detract me from doing things society would label as "important". I love this game more than my mom and I've told that to her face. Even if you don't end up liking this game I believe everybody owes it to themselves to try it out.

With that said, this game is poetry in motion. From the music to the artwork, everything is simply a pleasure for the senses and when coupled with solid simplistic and fun gameplay you really can't argue.

The game has a sprite based watercolor feel to it and you aren't going to find an artistic direction like this in many other games because the lead character designer on this game, Ayami Kojima, is entirely self trained. The art is perfect for this game though. From the most obvious to the smallest detail you ARE in Dracula's castle. Nothing feels out of place. My only gripe here is that if you aren't playing the game on an overclocked Saturn then you're going to experience some lag when a lot is going on meaning that sometimes they were a little too ambitious with their work.

The music sets the mood perfectly in this game. I kind of like video game music from time to time, but I own this album and listen to it regularly. The music can be serene and creepy for underground areas or drive powerful metal guitar riffs for those more intense moments. Again, everything is paired perfectly (environments and music) and not a single area rubs you the wrong way. There's also a hidden music track on this game if you put it in to a CD player which is kind of funny, so check it out.

The gameplay, what's not to like here? Taking everything cool about RPGs and pairing it flawlessly with everything good about action/platforming games. The controls are solid, you can belt spells out Street Fighter style at a moments notice or backdash for dodging without thinking about it. My only gripe is that the game can be super easy once you know what you're doing, but I really don't care because the game is such a joy to play.

It's not necessarily obvious upon completing the game but there are TONS of replay modes and different endings to get. You can play through with a different character, and several different sets of starting stats by entering a different name when you start the game. There are also certain items, like the Duplicator, that are only available after you have cleared the game once.

I could go on for days about the pleasures of this game but I've told you what you need to know. With this game now being on the 360 arcade and supposedly coming out on the PSP there is no excuse not to play it. I dream of the day when a true console sequel is made for this game with Guilty Gear Isuka quality graphics *DROOL*...

Worth every penny

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: August 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is extremely rare. I'm not sure why Konami isn't still printing this game because it is so good. You will most likely have to pay anywhere from 30 to 60 dollars to play this game, but let me tell you that it is worth it. I waited and looked around and was lucky enough to purchase it for only ten dollars. I can't believe I almost never played this game because I didn't want to pay an outrageous price for a used copy. After playing the game I can certainly say that if I lost my copy I would be willing to pay 80 dollars to replace it. This is the best videogame I have played since Chrono Trigger.

BUY THIS GAME NOW!

Incredible old-school 2-D gaming from Konami

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 11, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Castlevania: SOTN is an amazing game! Konami has put together this huge 2-D installment of the popular Castlevania game series. This game has beautiful graphics, great play control, a huge and interesting quest, and lots of replay value. Those who miss the old 2-D games of the past will love Castlevania:SOTN. Even if your new to video games and are used to 3-D, you will still enjoy this game. BUY IT!

A great sidescroller/Rpg!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 08, 1999
Author: Amazon User

This game blends sidescrolling gameplay, with the Experience points system, to create a new blend of Action/RPG.

First I'll talk about the graphics. This is a 2D game, however it still has wonderfully smooth graphics, and stunning special effects. Out of 10, on the graphics, i give them an 8.7

Next i'll discuss the storyline. The storline in this game may seem a little... done-it-before, but, it actually proves to be very interesting. As Alucard, you play Dracula's son. You must go through his whole castle, and destroy him. Along the way, you'll find tons of secrets, Cool spells, And hard bosses. For storyline, i give it a 9.0

Now for sound. The sound in this is defently the strongest part. The sound is simply the best music i've ever heard in a game soundtrack. It's better than FF7-surprising as it may seem. The only weak point, was the sub-standard voice acting, but hey, you'll live with it. For sound, i give this game a 9.9

Overall, this is one of the greatest games I've ever played period. It blends classic Sidescrolling adventure, with Rpg Gameplay. It's a superb blend indeed. It's also the longest game i've ever played... It outta take you about 90 hours to beat, with most of the secrets. If your a fan of good games in general, this game is for you.

The BEST Castlevania in the series...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: June 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

The Sony Playstation debuted and along came a slew of games that would propel it to greatness. One of the games that made every kid want to own one is none other than Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. An excellent Playstation title and there's no doubt in my mind that it's the greatest Castlevania game on the face of the earth. Don't believe me? Too bad, now read on anyway:

THE GOOD
You play as Alucard, the son of Dracula, and he's improved over his Castlevania III(NES) version. The whole castle environment is done in the same vein as Zebes was in Super Metroid; in fact, the whole game borrows from Super Metroid! You might think that's bad, but the gaming geniuses at Konami utilized that tactic and made it worthwhile. The soundtrack kicks...especially Richter Belmont's theme (speaking of which, he's also a playable character). The graphics were state-of-the-art for the Playstation's debut and they're very stylish and, of course, in the Castlevania style. Also, being a huge fan of Super Metroid and Castlevania, this game not only throws in its own goodies, but has that good ol' "old school" feel to it. This game also has items GALORE and you can collect cards to cast magic spells and use familiars.

THE BAD
Aside from the ending credits song that grates on my nerves ("I am the Wind"), I find absolutely nothing wrong with the game. If you do find something wrong, consult your physician.

OVERALL
Some might claim this as the best game of all-time; I can't claim that, but it's certainly the best in the long-running Castlevania series. I doubt there'll be a Castlevania that will beat this one (for all you 64 lovers, Castlevania 64 and Legacy of Darkness AREN'T that great!). Its superb gameplay and style marks this as a great game and it should never be forgotten. If you've never played a Castlevania game before, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU START HERE. If you hate this game, "Have at You!"

Castlevania Rules

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: December 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This Game Is The Best

It's Big!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: December 26, 2003
Author: Amazon User

"Symphony of the Night" is considered the pinnacle of the Castlevania series, and with good reason. At a time when side-scrollers were falling to full 3-D games, Konami proved that there was still room for a good 2-D game in the gaming industry.

"Symphony" boasts impressive environments, huge bosses, multiple endings, creepy music, and more weapons and items than you can shake a stick at. My only problem is that it's just too much for me to remember--when I'm being mauled by Beezlebub is not the time to look up the "Dark Metamorphosis" spell. If you take the time to learn all your spells, as well as the ins-and-outs of all the Familiars, though, you won't have that big a problem.

I have just a few picks about the game:
1.) As stated before, the inventory/spell system is HUGE and can be intimidating.
2.) Voice acting. Aughh. Wish there was an option to turn the original Japanese voice acting on, like you can in "Lament of Innocence."
3.) Bosses. Bosses are typically easy, provided you have enough health-restore items. However, I frequntly found myself being turned into a bloody pulp (literally) by the sheer numbers and strength of ordinary enemies--isn't it suppossed to be the BOSSES who kill you over and over again?

Don't get me wrong, "Symphony" is one of the best Castlevania titles to date--but if you're looking for a more user-friendly Castlevania game, I suggest "Aria of Sorrow" for the Game Boy Advance.

Addictive and fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 02, 1999
Author: Amazon User

Castlevania, Dracula's cursed home, has once again appeared in the world of the living, and this time a Belmont has summoned it into existence! Now it is up to you, Alucard, son of Dracula, to banish Dracula and his castle from our world once again.

This game is an instant classic. Hours of gameplay, hundreds of items, weapons, sheilds, and artifacts to find, many levels to explore and several bosses to fight. To the first-timer, this game is a challenging maze filled with creepy monsters and cryptic puzzles. Finding your way around is as fun as listening to the ultra-cheesy dialogue between the characters. The bosses will be tough, as you slowly discover their weaknesses and yours.

To the returning player, SOTN is a whole new challenge to find all the hidden items you were sure not to find (without looking thru strategy guides) the first time through. Secret weapons, newfound strategies, and magic spells will make the game a little easier, but much more fun.

I love the original Castlevania games, which is why I appreciated the 2D scrolling view so much more than the 3D environment of Castlevania 64. While SOTN may not be as challenging as C64, it is definatley more fun to play over and over again. This is the kind of game that you can play to death, and then forget about for months, but as soon as you see it played again or hear someone talk about it, you just have to start playing it again. In fact a friend just borrowed my copy, and as soon as I saw him playing it, I almost went out and bought myself another copy that day! Very addictive.

I would recommend this game over C64 any day of the week. You will not be disappointed.

The only Castlevania worth playing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 13, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Most people will not like this game for three reasons: 1) You have to be smart to get through it, 2) It is 2D, meaning you can not run around like you do in Mario 64 or Tomb Raider, and 3) there is dialouge and an actual story to it.

This game doesn't play like most 2D games (early Mario Bros. and Genesis Sonic). You get to pick up items, use different weapons, gain experience and become stronger by killing enemies, as well as certain bonuses like using magic and buying new supplies with money you find on dead bodies.The game is pretty short, but depending on how you play it you get to see 4 different endings which are all memorable. The sound effects aren't very good, but the music and gothic tone make up for it. This is probably Konami's best game, other than Metal Gear Solid.

Kick[in']

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Ok, I'm going to keep this short and sweet. This game is NOT for those reared on the likes of Final Fantasy VIII and Metal Gear Solid. The graphics, while good, are almost exclusively 2D, the voice acting is pathetic, the few instances of CG are boring at best, and the story is almost nonexistant. If this fails to bother you, go out and get the ... game. It has an insane amount of hidden moves and secrets, a gigantic, Metroid-ish level setup, some great RPG-style gameplay features, and one of the best soundtracks in a video game to date. And most importantly of all, every second of this game is incredibley fun. And in the end, that's why we play video games in the first place.

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