Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

[GetImOliver]

This was the first Castlevania game I've played, and I enjoyed almost every minute I spent playing. I never realized how this game defined it's own genre. If I had to put a name to it, I'd say mix the platforming and exploration of the Metroid series with the wonton bloodlust and rare items of Diablo and you'd have a pretty accurate description. But anyone who's played the game could tell you the same thing ><

Anywho, the story for me goes as follows:


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**SPOILER ALERT**
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I played through most of the castle, made my way to Richter and assumed that was the end of it all. I reloaded the game and saw the taunting "84% complete" so I figured I'd go back through and get 100%. Luckily, I felt I r0x0rd enough to go through the whole castle, no problem.

I knew 100% meant going through that corridor of spikes on the left side of the Cathedral. However, for some reason I never explored the catacombs to get the Spike Buster Armor required to go through that hallway. I managed, somehow, to squirm my way over to the door as a bat, use a healing potion, and walk through the blue door with my half second of invincibility. I got the silver and gold ring, got the holy glasses from Maria, and defeated Shaft controlling Richter. As I teleported to the next area, I thought to myself "well sweet a little upsidedown room where I'll fight the real boss. Nope. The entire castle again, but upsidedown. I was blown away. Never before have I gone from feeling like a complete badass to absolute humility. It was awesome! I'm sure it came from the fact that I didn't go the "correct" way through the 1st castle so the whole 2nd castle felt like a big secret for those who could figure out the crazy spike/door puzzle thing.

Has anyone else experienced the feeling of going from complete awesomeness to the horrible empty void of being at the bottom again in any other game?




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**END SPOILER ALERT**
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If you have the means, go buy this game right now and don't let anyone tell you about anything in it!

[dementia_]

Hah ironic, I'm currently 117% done in the Saturn version right now.

The inverted castle is badass indeed.

[ClassicGameTrader]

Castlevania: SotN is without a doubt my most prized possession in video gaming. I imported it for PS1 and beat it with over 200% before it came out in the US. Then bought the saturn and us versions and did the same thing with both of those. I was a little disappointed at the saturn versions tendacy to slowdown but overall it was solid.

I just wish Konami would listen to the fans and release a sequel on the home consoles. I hear the new DS game is awesome but there is nothing like playing it on a big screen with stereo sound. Especially when the soundtrack is amongst the best in videogame history.

[mario2butts]

Castlevania SOTN is definately one of my all time faves. I already knew about the inverted castle thing before I started playing but it was still awesome. I think I got 196% altogether.

Another must play Castlevania game would be Akumajo Dracula X: Chi No Rondo (Dracula X: Rondo of Blood) for the japanese PC Engine Duo (US Turboduo). Its way expensive (at least $130) but worth it. Remember when you play as Richter at the beginning of SOTN? That's the end of this game. I guess its not quite as good overall as SOTN in my opinion, as its level- based, not Super Metroidey like SOTN, but still a must play.

Congrats on playing one of the greatest games ever made!

[bazariah]

SOTN was the pinnacle of the castlevania series in my opinion.. the spells, the gore, the music and the atmosphere reeked of awesomeness... getting the familiers was sweet, and being able to turn to mist, wolf or bat was a superb touch

it also has my faveroute item in any castlevania game :d that being the duplicator (if you've never had this item i suggest you go on a mad hunt with the trasure gem sword thing, you'll be able to buy it then go nuts :D)

[Kim Possible]

I had an experience similar to yours, having "beat" it and then uncovering the inverted castle on my way back through. I remember thinking 'wow, I beat that alwful quickly." Then I went back in and went "holy crap, there is like a whole other game in here!"

Wonderful game, one of the best video games I have ever played. I still pull it out and beat it at least once a year.

[CocoVG]

I agree with all the sentiments here - one of the best games ever, absolutely no question. Certainly the pinacle of the entire Castlevania series. I continually pull it out and beat it, just for fun - because it's just that good. Thank goodness for the Crissaegrim, one of the cheapest (and most fun) weapons I've found in any game. :)

[MarkMan]

This is a coming of age title for me... when I first played through this game and discovered how deep it was I simply fell in love with the Castlevania series... even more so than I used to be... now I have every single game in the series except Rondo of Blood... one day!

Anyone know if it's fully emulated yet?

[Zing]

I knew 100% meant going through that corridor of spikes on the left side of the Cathedral. However, for some reason I never explored the catacombs to get the Spike Buster Armor required to go through that hallway.

Did you read FAQs or a walkthrough while playing the game? I have never even heard of "spike buster armor".

I played this game for the first time a couple weeks ago. I had read absolutely zero hints about the game and didn't even really know what to expect. All I knew was people creamed their jeans about it. I was actually pretty disappointed.

Here is a summary of my game experience, quoted from my mini review on another site that brought out the zealots from all corners of the earth, raining down pillars of flame upon me:


So I have explored almost all of the "first castle". I don't actually know what the hell the second castle is all about as I didn't scramble for the cheat guides like I'm sure most people did (you are almost forced to). Frankly, I don't care to continue. I have spent my last two gaming sessions searching out every nook and cranny, fighting endless waves of enemies that die in a single hit, bosses that do 1 damage to me and don't take many more hits than the yard trash, getting a ridiculous amount of life and heart boosts, finding a ton of useless weapons and armor, and trying to get familiars to actually do something productive. By the time I got done exploring all I could, I just wanted to save the game and be done with it.

[-hellvin-]

This is a coming of age title for me... when I first played through this game and discovered how deep it was I simply fell in love with the Castlevania series... even more so than I used to be... now I have every single game in the series except Rondo of Blood... one day!

Anyone know if it's fully emulated yet?

You can play this game if you look for a torrent of the game and burn the iso. The game music and sound won't play correctly unless you have an analog cable connected to your sound card, because it won't play digitally. I believe there's another work around for the sound, but I don't know it.

SOTN is defenitely the best 2d game I've ever played. I love the great rpg system, the beautiful castle and enemy design and EXCELLENT boss battles! The bosses in this game are so enjoyable I can play through it any time just for that. My favorite one of all of them is when you fight Trevor, Grant and Sylpha from Castlevania III in the inverted castle.

[evildead2099]

SOTN was the pinnacle of the castlevania series in my opinion.. the spells, the gore, the music and the atmosphere reeked of awesomeness... getting the familiers was sweet, and being able to turn to mist, wolf or bat was a superb touch

I'd be inclined to agree with you, except that SOTN is far to easy. I like my Castlevania games nice and difficult, thank you. Although SOTN is fun to play, the ease at which one can breeze through key battles makes me favour Castlevania III: Draclua's Curse, Castlevania Bloodlines, and Akumajou Dracula X: Chi No Rondo.

[Avatard]

Make sure to farm the ghosts, what is the name? Shmooch? Anyways, keep killing them in the library untill you get the Crisagrim sword. 8-)

[sleepycal]

I just started this game the other day. Tried to breeze through here w/o reading too much.

Nice. My first castlevania experience (though I have several of the other games). Not that big on platformers, but this is one solid game.

[MrSmiley381]

BEST. GAME. EVER.

SPOILER:















Alucard is in Dawn of Sorrow! Don't equip the talisman from Mina before going to "the castle's center" to fight Celia, and you'll get Julius mode. Alucard is in there and becomes playable at a point.















END SPOILER

Anywho, play the hell out of that game and Rondo. Of course, I didn't pay $130 for mine LOL

[Haoie]

SOTN is the likely the best CV ever.

Even though Noctune is arugably better, it's totally obscure and unbearably expensive compared to Symp. Ditto Rondo.

[ShinobiMan]

In light of Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for the DS, I have decided to replay this treasure. SOTN is by far one of my favorite games of all time, easily my favorite PS1 game.

[Biff_McFresh]

A gem without a doubt. Best game in the series in my opinion, and lots would agree I bet.

[dementia_]

Even though Noctune is arugably better, it's totally obscure and unbearably expensive

Isn't it like $40 without the spine?

[-hellvin-]

Make sure to farm the ghosts, what is the name? Shmooch? Anyways, keep killing them in the library untill you get the Crisagrim sword. 8-)

Oh man! Talk about breaking the game. Although it is so much damn fun to use that sword it's almost irresistable ;D. The only thing I can think of that's worse is the Alucard Shield / Shield Rod combo. So hilarious watching Dracula die in about 5 seconds from you blocking.

Has anyone ever tried the 99 luck "skip death" trick? If you equip a certain amount of things and just barely step into the room where death takes your stuff, then go back and let the warg hit you, you will go FLYING through the room and bypass the cutscene ;D.

[Nez]

Make sure to farm the ghosts, what is the name? Shmooch? Anyways, keep killing them in the library untill you get the Crisagrim sword. 8-)

Oh man! Talk about breaking the game. Although it is so much damn fun to use that sword it's almost irresistable ;D. The only thing I can think of that's worse is the Alucard Shield / Shield Rod combo. So hilarious watching Dracula die in about 5 seconds from you blocking.

Has anyone ever tried the 99 luck "skip death" trick? If you equip a certain amount of things and just barely step into the room where death takes your stuff, then go back and let the warg hit you, you will go FLYING through the room and bypass the cutscene ;D.

Now was the 99 luck trick done on purpose?

[-hellvin-]

Make sure to farm the ghosts, what is the name? Shmooch? Anyways, keep killing them in the library untill you get the Crisagrim sword. 8-)

Oh man! Talk about breaking the game. Although it is so much damn fun to use that sword it's almost irresistable ;D. The only thing I can think of that's worse is the Alucard Shield / Shield Rod combo. So hilarious watching Dracula die in about 5 seconds from you blocking.

Has anyone ever tried the 99 luck "skip death" trick? If you equip a certain amount of things and just barely step into the room where death takes your stuff, then go back and let the warg hit you, you will go FLYING through the room and bypass the cutscene ;D.

Now was the 99 luck trick done on purpose?

Couldn't be...way too buggy, causes a distorted ambient sound like a broken record, plus your inventory is inaccessible until you save.

[AMG]

CastleVania:SotN is my all time favorite game in the CastleVania series.

The gameplay is awesome, the spells and item combos are a blast. The music is some of the best I've ever heard in a Video Game and the sound effects are just right. The graphics and animation are all great too.

I've played through and beat the game over 10 times with Alucard and got every sigle item the game has, plus covered the castles in full.

I also beat the game two times with Richter and it had a great old school CastleVania feel to it.

IMO this is one of the best games from the 32/64bit era and a must own for any fan of gaming.

[PentiumMMX]

Did you read FAQs or a walkthrough while playing the game? I have never even heard of "spike buster armor".


It's a item you get in one of the Underground Areas. You have to go through an dark room as Bat (Make sure you have the Echo of Bat relic) then on the other side, make your way thorugh a few hallways and you will find Spike Buster Armor!

CV:SoTN pwns! Though, CV:DOS looks like it might actuly be better then SoTN.

It's the best 32\64-bit 2D game ever followed by "Yoshi's Story" and "Mega Man X4", IMO

[Tron 2.0]

Make sure to farm the ghosts, what is the name? Shmooch? Anyways, keep killing them in the library untill you get the Crisagrim sword. 8-)

Oh man! Talk about breaking the game. Although it is so much damn fun to use that sword it's almost irresistable ;D. The only thing I can think of that's worse is the Alucard Shield / Shield Rod combo. So hilarious watching Dracula die in about 5 seconds from you blocking.

Has anyone ever tried the 99 luck "skip death" trick? If you equip a certain amount of things and just barely step into the room where death takes your stuff, then go back and let the warg hit you, you will go FLYING through the room and bypass the cutscene ;D.
Is that trick for real or a joke?

[-hellvin-]

Make sure to farm the ghosts, what is the name? Shmooch? Anyways, keep killing them in the library untill you get the Crisagrim sword. 8-)

Oh man! Talk about breaking the game. Although it is so much damn fun to use that sword it's almost irresistable ;D. The only thing I can think of that's worse is the Alucard Shield / Shield Rod combo. So hilarious watching Dracula die in about 5 seconds from you blocking.

Has anyone ever tried the 99 luck "skip death" trick? If you equip a certain amount of things and just barely step into the room where death takes your stuff, then go back and let the warg hit you, you will go FLYING through the room and bypass the cutscene ;D.
Is that trick for real or a joke?

It's for real...

Start a game after beating it with a certain percentage (forgot how much, sorry) and enter the name: X-X!V"Q. Then take off everything except for the Alucard sword, twilight cape, and necklace of j. Then when you're at the entrance to death's room, SLOWLY inch towards until you enter the screen, then immediately go back left. Head left and kill the first warg, and then stand in front of the middle one. Let it hit you, and you'll fly right by death before he can spawn. Pretty damn funny trick. I think I listed the correct items you have to be wearing...after you only have those items on, you should have a defense of 12. Afterwards, go save (don't fall in the gap!) and you'll be able to keep all your items.

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I, too, have been recently playing through this game and it is still awesome. I've been playing through the Saturn version again and, although its still a great game, it still suffers in many ways. By the way, does any one know where I can find some Gameshark or Action Replay codes for the import Saturn version? The ones on the Codebreaker site are mixed up with another game and I cant seem to find any on the web.

[kainemaxwell]

Question, has anyone here ever been able to get that extra .3% by going down to the aborted Underground Garden screens right at the start?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tw4KE9PaLg

[jwmollman]

Now I'll really have to check this game out. My first Castlevania game was Castlevania: Circle of the Moon for Gameboy Advance. I loved every minute of that game. Just typing about this brings back memories. I also played Castlevania for Nintendo 64, and I actually really liked that game, although some of my friends thought it was stupid. I've also played the ones for NES but didn't get into them all that much.

I've seen SotN on Amazon for around 20 bucks, so I'll have to check it out.

[SonicBoom]

While i love SOTN, It's not my favorite Castlevania, Super Castlevania 4 get's that title

[Dire 51]

Question, has anyone here ever been able to get that extra .3% by going down to the aborted Underground Garden screens right at the start?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tw4KE9PaLg
I've done it. It was a long time back right after the trick was discovered and I haven't done it since, but I have done it.

SotN is definitely one of my favorite games. Imported it sometime in early '97 and finished it completely, then picked up the U.S. version on day 1 and finished that.

But as much as I love SotN, though, it saddens me that it was basically the death knell for the series as it had been up to that point, the Castlevania I grew up with as it were. It's hasn't been the same since, the occasional foray back into the "old school vampire killing jam" type of game notwithstanding. Instead it's been portable Metroidvania after portable Metroidvania, halfassed attempts at bringing the series into 3D (including Lords of Shadow, which I am convinced was not a Castlevania game until Konami decided to slap the name on it), experimenting with genres that Castlevania never needed to be a part of and just a general feeling of "where the hell are they going with this now?"

Does anyone else feel the same way? Am I alone in missing the classic Castlevania style of gameplay, or what?

[bb_hood]

This is one of my top 3 favorites.. When it was released I rented it, beat the inverted castle, then later rented it 3 more times. Cant say that about any other game.

Soo much good music on this game, its just unbelievable. I think I own 2 or 3 different soundtracks for this game.

[The 1 2 P]

Question, has anyone here ever been able to get that extra .3% by going down to the aborted Underground Garden screens right at the start?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tw4KE9PaLg

I've never done that but I have gotten the full 200.6% that you need to get the XBLA achievement. I've beaten the US and Japanese PS1 versions but never got the full completion until the XBLA version demanded it.

[kupomogli]

halfassed attempts at bringing the series into 3D (including Lords of Shadow, which I am convinced was not a Castlevania game until Konami decided to slap the name on it), experimenting with genres that Castlevania never needed to be a part of and just a general feeling of "where the hell are they going with this now?"

I do have to say that while Lords of Shadow was never going to be a Castlevania title, and for that I don't call it as such, the game is absolutely amazing. In the short time it's been out and even shorter time since I finally purchased and played it, I have to say it's my favorite stylish action game. The progression in the game is perfect, to where you don't have that feel of repetition as you're playing through the game as you're constantly learning new and useful attacks.

The gameplay, the storyline, the graphics. All amazing. The game is truly a work of art and a must own for anyone who owns a PS3 or 360.

Castlevania Lament of Innocence despite the repetitive areas, I loved the game. The combat was excellent I've played through @Crazy repeatedly, even finishing the boss rush on the mode as well.

As for my favorite games, most of them are classic titles, SCV4 being my favorite in the series altogether. CV Circle of the Moon is my favorite exploration type though. I also like the N64 titles which happen to be disliked.

[kainemaxwell]

I've never done that but I have gotten the full 200.6% that you need to get the XBLA achievement. I've beaten the US and Japanese PS1 versions but never got the full completion until the XBLA version demanded it.

I have tthe full 200.6% already as alucard from the last time i played years ago. Know I finished as Richter once also but no save file, lol.

[kainemaxwell]

I've done it. It was a long time back right after the trick was discovered and I haven't done it since, but I have done it.


Now if I can finally do it, I'll be happy.

[Edmond Dantes]

My story is a lot like the OP's... I toughed through the spikey hallway (actually, I think I flew thru it as the bat, changed into mist or else toughed it to get thru the door, then turned back into a bat again. I, too, didn't know about the Spike Buster armor).

This game was my first experience with Castlevania, bought on complete chance when it was brand new, and oh boy. It instantly made me a fan of the entire freakin' franchise, even the ones that play nothing like it. It's THAT good.

For some reason I didn't like the GBA sequels as much. I tried to, but they just somehow lacked the same oomph.

[Lanzo]

I played this game for the first time less than a year ago on XBLA. One of the few games I got all the achievements for including exploring 200.6% of the castle. I thought it was a great game. The inverted castle was a nightmare in a few spots but definetly a solid game. After playing it I ended up purchasing the soundtrack. I had to look up the spike buster armor thing and some of the secret rooms. One room in particular is almost impossible to find without looking online. In involves flying through a cave with a bat and a wall will dissappear. It was to get a sword that increased the chances of finding valuable things I think. lol.

[Dire 51]

I do have to say that while Lords of Shadow was never going to be a Castlevania title, and for that I don't call it as such, the game is absolutely amazing. In the short time it's been out and even shorter time since I finally purchased and played it, I have to say it's my favorite stylish action game. The progression in the game is perfect, to where you don't have that feel of repetition as you're playing through the game as you're constantly learning new and useful attacks.

The gameplay, the storyline, the graphics. All amazing. The game is truly a work of art and a must own for anyone who owns a PS3 or 360.
I wish I could get behind you on that statement, but once the puzzles and fetchquests reared their ugly heads, LoS went from being a fairly enjoyable game to eBay fodder. I haven't been that turned off by a game I initially liked since being forced to go to work (and race fucking forklifts) in Shenmue.