Symphony of the Night - What's the appeal?

[kevin_psx]

Just played this game for the first time today.

What's the appeal? Looks like another hack'n'slash to me? (not my cup'o'tea)

Why do gamers rave over this game so much?
Why the extreme popularity that I see it
listed for $100 on Ebay?

[cyberfluxor]

Why the extreme popularity that I see it listed for $100 on Ebay?

Wow, $100?! I got mine for $5 a few months ago at a pawn shop and it was near mint condition 100% complete. Last time I checked it was $30 or so after shipping.

The reason there's a huge call for it is because the simple fact of it being a Castlevania game with pretty decent graphics and sound/music. Of course the voice acting blows chunks but oh well, I still love House of the Dead! :)

I don't regret buying this title, not just because it's cheap but because it is one of the more fun hack slash games I own. It's not a bad title by any means and is worth to look at to most gamers remotely interested.

[MrSmiley381]

Because it's made of awesome, win, godliness, soundtrack, and Alucard.

Not too mention replay factor off the wall.

Also, $100 price = LIES.

[-SuperYoshi-]

Symphony of the Night is like Metroid with a sword instead of a blaster, and is one of the biggest Castlevania games ever.

Oh, and that $99 one you see is factory sealed, also I find it funny that it's the GH version, too. I feel bad for anyone that buys that version for so much money.

Usually it goes for around $20-30, depending on whether it's GH or not. I got mine years ago off a friend for $10 complete (GH version, but I didn't mind, I just wanted to play the damn game).

On another note, am I the only one dissapointed that after SotN, all the new 2D CV games are more Metroid rip-offs? I've been waiting for Konami to get smart and make a new 2D CV platformer for years now.

[Lemmy Kilmister]

What's the appeal?


I don't know, maybe the fact that Konami took the best features of Super Metroid and the Castlevania series and made one of the greatest 2D games ever. Seriously, guy.. how could you not like this game? The music, the graphics, the gameplay and the overall depth of Symphony of the Night screams quality.

[gamedude369]

the price for this game IS crazy sometimes. i have about a dozen copies i pick them up when i find them cheap. it was in print for a while you could get them for 15 bucks new but not anymore. if you never played the castlevania games in their day then you wouldnt understand the appeal this game has......although i never played this game to any great length i though castlevania 2 and 4 were awesome.

[Anthony1]

What's the appeal?


I don't know, maybe the fact that Konami took the best features of Super Metroid and the Castlevania series and made one of the greatest 2D games ever. Seriously, guy.. how could you not like this game? The music, the graphics, the gameplay and the overall depth of Symphony of the Night screams quality.




You know what, to be totally honest, I don't think Symphony is all that great. At least the beginning of the game isn't that great. For whatever reason, my favorite Castlevania game is Super Castlevania IV for the SNES. That is one of the great action platformers. I know that SOTN is supposed to be one of the absolute best versions of Castlevania, right up there with Dracula X, but it just doesn't really do it for me. I like Dracula X much more too. The control of the character in SOTN just doesn't seem that fluid and intuitive.

[Dahne]

It STEALS men's SOULS and makes them its SLAVES!

[whoisKeel]

What's the appeal?

Well, in addition to all that was said previously, it came out at a time when 2D was dying. A time when Metroid (series) was the only game of its type.

But really, I just found it addicting. The soundtrack rocks too. I dunno, I've played through that game at least 4 or 5 times (but never as Ricter for some reason, I need to do that).

Don't worry tho, there's alot of *classics* that I just don't get either. Everybody's tastes are different. I say spend a little more time with it, and if it still isn't doing anything for you, find something else. Don't force yourself to play something just because everybody raves about it.

[exit]

Right now it may seem like a meidiocre mess to some, but back when it was released it was one of the best games around. Like others have said, aside from Super Metroid, there wasn't anything like it and that still remains true to this day.

[InsaneDavid]

Of course the voice acting blows chunks

Have at you!

Anyway, it's a great and beautiful 2D adventure game with some innovative little quirks. Also it was never praised as much as it should have been in it's day since it was a 2D sprite based game on an "all 3D all the time" hardware platform, the original PlayStation. Many people passed it up since "why would I want to play that? I bought a PlayStation for 3D" was common of the day. Of it's genre it's one of the greatest games to be released period and hasn't been eclipsed yet. Seriously though - complaining over an old game selling at a higher price than dirt (agreed, $100 is BS) is just stupid. "That's $30!" That's a game that's still worth the original retail sticker price for the content that it is comprised of.

We all had this "Rez is $50 used!" before it got blown out of proportion - hate to tell you, it was $50 at retail originally. Bad example, but same thing here. It holds it's value because it's a good game.

[smokehouse]

As far as I’m concerned, this is the best Castlevania ever made. Other than it’s horrible voice acting (it’s largest flaw) this game is brilliant. The quest is balanced and long, the soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard on a game (it’s amazing on a good stereo system) and the graphics are 2D at it’s best with lots of detail as well as having great lighting and special effects.

I was having this discussion over at another board and we were comparing SoTN to Dracula X (the Duo version, not the half-ass SNES title) and I stand by this theory. I personally feel SotN is far superior to Drac X. I think that it would not hold such a high position if one of these two situation had happened:

Situation 1- Drac X had been released in the states as well as SotN. It would not be such an enigma, you wouldn’t have to buy a $200+ system and $100+ game to play it. It think it’s difficulty to attain makes it more popular.

Situation 2- Swap roles. Drac X would have seen a US release and SotN would have remained a Jap only title. If you think that Drac X fetches high prices, I think that SotN would have fetched higher.

I think Drac X is held in such high regard due to its rarity in the US. It is a good game but after owning both, I still find SotN to be superior.

[kevin_psx]

Konami took the best features of Super Metroid and the Castlevania series and made one of the greatest 2D games ever. Seriously, guy.. how could you not like this game?
I don't like Super Metroid either. Staring at a screen & trying to solve a puzzle annoys me. I lack patience. It feels too much like..... work.

Play your old school games in RGB. The developers programmed them in RGB, you might as well see what they actually put on their canvas.
I doubt that. Most developers programmed with TVs to test how it would look at home. Especially the early 8-bit systems like the Atari VCS or NES. Designed for fuzzy 1980s TVs.

Component Video (Luminance, Red-luminance, Blue-luminance) is good enough & a heck of a lot cheaper!!! And you don't lose anything. It's a loss-free compression method-- the picture looks just as good as RGB.

(dons kevlar armor to protect self)

[davidbrit2]

I honestly think the English voice acting in SotN is better than in the Japanese version. The Japanese actors are just far too subdued for a game with such an extravagant and flamboyant visual presentation.

The attention to detail is what makes this game really stand out. Hundreds of hand-designed items with wildly different in-game appearances, plus charming little trinkets thrown in, like the boots that make you two inches taller, or the cool looking sunglasses, etc. And then there's this same attention to detail in the game's setting. The haunted confessional, the bird underneath the tower that raises her young who mature gradually when you return, the telescope that lets you see the ferryman, the creepy eyeball looming subtly outside the windows in that one main hallway, the chapel bells that ring when you jump onto them... I could go on and on, obviously.

[Neo Rasa]

Exaxtly davidbrit. From a gameplay and presentation standpoint Symphony of the Night is just about everything and all the details from previous Castlevania games rolled into one package.

I do think it would be cool if one of the next 2D ones brought back shields. Ideally the equipment would change your sprite also like the capes in Symphony of the Night.

[heybtbm]

Don't forget, SOTN has one of the best (if not THE best) scores ever written for a video game.

[Nez]

What is a man!? A miserible pile of secrets!

One of the greatest games of all time. Loved it.

[Neo Rasa]

Yeah it ans Super Castlevania IV have pretty untouchable soundtracks. Only flaw with Symphony's is how there's only three tracks for the inverted castle.

[Porksta]

I was able to get $45 for the unofficial strategy guide. Pretty odd that the game is worth less.

[Neo Rasa]

It's just so common if you want Greatest Hits. There are Blockbusters here with bricks of them for $6.99 each.

[slip81]

[quote]Play your old school games in RGB. The developers programmed them in RGB, you might as well see what they actually put on their canvas.
I doubt that. Most developers programmed with TVs to test how it would look at home. Especially the early 8-bit systems like the Atari VCS or NES. Designed for fuzzy 1980s TVs.

Component Video (Luminance, Red-luminance, Blue-luminance) is good enough & a heck of a lot cheaper!!! And you don't lose anything. It's a loss-free compression method-- the picture looks just as good as RGB.

(dons kevlar armor to protect self)

Are you really gonna start a video quality argument with Anthony1?

Anyway the appeal to SOTN is that it's a great game. Partly because it's really well made made, and partly because at the time of release it was like a breath of fresh air. At the time most of the platformers being released were 3D, and while they weren't bad, everyone who was playing them was of the age that they grew up on things like the great NES and SNES classics (like Castlevania IV).

So for this game to come out and have so much depth in terms of features and story, and for it all to be in 2D was just something extrordinary. Plus even today the game still holds up, and the formula is still being copied to great success with games like the GBA Castlevanias and the DS installment.

Okay so that's Tomb Raider and SOTN out of the way: what big PSX title will you dislike next kevin_psx?

[kevin_psx]

Since Sony only wanted 3D on its PS1, how did Konami get away with making this 2D castlevania game?


Did Nintendo have a "3D only" rule too? Don't recall any 2D/flat N64 games?

[drewbrim]

Since Sony only wanted 3D on its PS1, how did Konami get away with making this 2D castlevania game?
How did they get away with it? Get away with making an amazing game that the playstation was fortunate enough to have in it's library. Or are you asking because you are under the impression that Sony would've been able to "muscle" konami into doing their bidding.

I think 3D was more or less the future which is why most went that way. As opposed to some standing order from a Sony exec


Did Nintendo have a "3D only" rule too? Don't recall any 2D/flat N64 games?

As far as platformers go I believe Mischeif Makers was 2D (haven't played it)

[kevin_psx]

Since Sony only wanted 3D on its PS1, how did Konami get away with making this 2D castlevania game?I think 3D was more or less the future which is why most went that way. As opposed to some standing order from a Sony exec

I've heard many people say "Sony forbade 2D on their system" or "Sony refused to license 2D titles".

So was that just a myth?

[-SuperYoshi-]

Since Sony only wanted 3D on its PS1, how did Konami get away with making this 2D castlevania game?I think 3D was more or less the future which is why most went that way. As opposed to some standing order from a Sony exec

I've heard many people say "Sony forbade 2D on their system" or "Sony refused to license 2D titles".

So was that just a myth?
Not entirely, Sony just didn't like 2D on their system very much, which is the reason Mega Man 8 came out on Saturn first, not to mention is why Mega Man Legends was created.

[kevin_psx]

Hence my question

- Why did Sony release a license to Konami to a 2D game? Seems out of character for Sony. Seems they would say "no it must be 3D"

[Xexyz]

First off, SCEI doesn't seem to have any qualms with releasing 2D games on even the PS2, it's SCEA who's strict. They want the systems power to be utilized at its fullest, which includes the 3D hardware, which is why 2D releases, while common in JPN, and semi-common in EU, are rare in North America. of coarse there are exceptions. Along with Castlevania: SoTN, there's also a couple of 2D platformers, 2D tournament fighters, and 2D RPG's out there. We don't know why they were excused for an SCEA NA release. We can only guess that they were "too good of sales opportunities to pass on". I'd agree with this notion for the most part.

[Bratwurst]

Probably because Konami had a lot of clout with Sony. Metal Gear Solid anyone?

[chrisbid]

sony didnt start getting really anal about 2D games until around the time the DC was released.

[kevin_psx]

First off, SCEI doesn't seem to have any qualms with releasing 2D games on even the PS2, it's SCEA who's strict.

Sounds like the old "Americans are stupid" perception. Same reason there's no Final Fantasy 2/3 in America, and a dumbed-down version of part 4 (or was it 6?).

"We can't sell the real Mario Bros 2. Too hard for dumb americans. We'll make a hack version of that kiddy game."

"We can't sell the real Final Fantasy 4. We have to make it easy for dumb Americans. FF4-Easy. And we can't call it 4 'cause people are too dumb to understand. We'll call it 2."

"We can't sell 2D games from japan. Dumb American consumers won't play 2D. The dummies want eye candy special effects to satiate their cow-like brains."


I wish the marketers would stop thinking of us as brainless bimbos.

[NE146]

I think it's funny how this game goes for a bit when I remember very clearly the game was on sale at Toys R' Us FOREVER.. for what was either 10 or 15 bucks. (the original.. not the "Greatest Hits" one) and it was languishing because no one was buying it.

..I shoulda friggin bought a dozen LOL

[Bratwurst]

I don't like Super Metroid either. Staring at a screen & trying to solve a puzzle annoys me. I lack patience. It feels too much like..... work.

What?


I wish the marketers would stop thinking of us as brainless bimbos.

OK!

[InsaneDavid]

"We can't sell the real Mario Bros 2. Too hard for dumb americans. We'll make a hack version of that kiddy game."

God I hate when people bring that up when they don't know what they're talking about, SMB2 was NOT well recieved in Japan. In fact Shigeru Miyamoto had more to do with the Dream Factory: Doki Doki Panic to SMB2 US conversion than he had to do with SMB2 in Japan. If it wasn't for the US version of SMB2, Super Mario games would have carried on with the same linear style and objectives for years.

I'll sell you a clue for 500 meseta. :roll:

[chrisbid]

"We can't sell the real Mario Bros 2. Too hard for dumb americans. We'll make a hack version of that kiddy game."

God I hate when people bring that up when they don't know what they're talking about, SMB2 was NOT well recieved in Japan. In fact Shigeru Miyamoto had more to do with the Dream Factory: Doki Doki Panic to SMB2 US conversion than he had to do with SMB2 in Japan. If it wasn't for the US version of SMB2, Super Mario games would have carried on with the same linear style and objectives for years.

I'll sell you a clue for 500 meseta. :roll:


thank you, what we got as SMB2 in 1988 was the best looking NES game released up to that point, had nintendo released jpn SMB2, nintendo wouldve been pulling the same crap as atari did earlier in the decade

[-SuperYoshi-]

Sounds like the old "Americans are stupid" perception. Same reason there's no Final Fantasy 2/3 in America, and a dumbed-down version of part 4 (or was it 6?).
The reason we didn't get the Japanese II and III was because the US version of Final Fantasy came out in 1990, I believe NIntendo started working on translating the Japanese II and stopped because either Final Fantasy didn't sell well in the US, or Super Nintendo was coming out soon, and wanted to work a much bigger game, our Final Fantasy II (IV)

I don't even need to explain why Final Fantasy II was made easy, have you ever played the PSX port? Do you know how many hours you have to spend leveling up just to survive random battles? Final Fantasy II in the US was much more balanced, and you have to remember, it was released in a time when RPGs were new to us.

[kevin_psx]

I don't like Super Metroid either. Staring at a screen & trying to solve a puzzle annoys me. I lack patience. It feels too much like..... work.What?

I wish the marketers would stop thinking of us as brainless bimbos.OK!
Not enjoying staring at a non-moving screen while solving some dumb puzzle does not make me a brainless bimbo. Fact is: I spend ALL DAY solving puzzles (engineering design) and don't want to do that when I'm home playing games.

I prefer active games-- not wasting hours hunting for missing Richter' powerups.

[-SuperYoshi-]

I dunno, I can barely call Super Metroid a puzzle solving game. It's more along the lines of exploration if you ask me.

[rbudrick]

Your best bet is to play through the game (both quests) and come back and tell US what the appeal is, because it will be your new favorite game ever. DOn't ask if you haven't played through it.

-Rob

[kevin_psx]

"We can't sell the real Mario Bros 2. Too hard for dumb americans. We'll make a hack version of that kiddy game." SMB2 was NOT well recieved in Japan. In fact Shigeru Miyamoto had more to do with the Dream Factory: Doki Doki Panic to SMB2 US conversion than he had to do with SMB2 in Japan.
thank you, what we got as SMB2 in 1988 was the best looking NES game released up to that point, had nintendo released jpn SMB2, nintendo wouldve been pulling the same crap as atari did earlier in the decade

Well then they should have released both. I >like< SMB2-japan. It's a real challenge & more of the same goodness.

[NE146]

Not enjoying staring at a non-moving screen while solving some dumb puzzle does not make me a brainless bimbo. Fact is: I spend ALL DAY solving puzzles (engineering design) and don't want to do that when I'm home playing games.

I prefer active games-- not wasting hours hunting for missing Richter' powerups.

Yeah I don't know what puzzles you're solving in SOTN :P It's just exploration of a friggin castle, fight some bosses, you come across power ups (lots of which aren't really essential). Sounds like a lot of games to me.. but definitely not puzzle LOL

[Neo Rasa]

Good to see some people telling it like it is with Super Mario Bros. 2 and "Doki Doki." SMB2 was not well received literally because it was just SMB only much harder (in Japan).

Also There is no "hard" version of Final Fantasy IV. No version of that game is hard at all, and only one that could be considered easy is Final Fantasy IV: Easy Type which was only released in Japan (the US FFII is not the same).

In addition, outside of the (arguable) FF4 and one or two other RPGs with cuts made more due to budget reasons and time with respect to their US releases, the opposite is true. Many Konami arcade games, as an example, the US versions are significantly harder than the Japanese releases.

[InsaneDavid]

"We can't sell the real Mario Bros 2. Too hard for dumb americans. We'll make a hack version of that kiddy game."

God I hate when people bring that up when they don't know what they're talking about, SMB2 was NOT well recieved in Japan. In fact Shigeru Miyamoto had more to do with the Dream Factory: Doki Doki Panic to SMB2 US conversion than he had to do with SMB2 in Japan. If it wasn't for the US version of SMB2, Super Mario games would have carried on with the same linear style and objectives for years.

I'll sell you a clue for 500 meseta. :roll:


thank you, what we got as SMB2 in 1988 was the best looking NES game released up to that point, had nintendo released jpn SMB2, nintendo wouldve been pulling the same crap as atari did earlier in the decade

And thank you, the US SMB2 expanded the series franchise in every direction - including to the left. ;)



Sounds like the old "Americans are stupid" perception. Same reason there's no Final Fantasy 2/3 in America, and a dumbed-down version of part 4 (or was it 6?).
The reason we didn't get the Japanese II and III was because the US version of Final Fantasy came out in 1990, I believe NIntendo started working on translating the Japanese II and stopped because either Final Fantasy didn't sell well in the US, or Super Nintendo was coming out soon, and wanted to work a much bigger game, our Final Fantasy II (IV)

I think it was the latter, I'd have to look up my notes, could be a combination of both. Fact of the matter is Nintendo WAS planning on releasing it at one point, complete with PR materials with a box mockup. Also a first pass localization / translation was completed.

[smokehouse]

While we’re on the topic of FFIV, I will say that the GBA version is ruthless. The never ending random battles coupled with the definite advantages most of the enemies have are quite obvious. I have never played FFIV for the S Famicom but if it’s like the GBA version, it MUCH harder than the US FFII.

I can also side with Nintendo on the release of SMB2. After playing the Lost Levels version I can say the SMB2 US is more innovative and did take the series in a different direction. The Japanese SMB2 seemed like a redo of SMB1 with tougher levels, not an entirely new title.

[cyberfluxor]

Of course the voice acting blows chunks

Have at you!

Huh? I think the voice acting did suck. I never made it to the end, so unless it got better somehow then they just plain suck.

As for Super Mario Brothers and Final Fantasy, make another topic or something. Its interesting to read what everyone has to say about them.

[-SuperYoshi-]

I absolutley LOVE the voice acting in SotN. So cheesy and hilarious. Only thing I hated was that Alucard's voice was WAY too deep.

[MrSmiley381]

Richter: Die, monster! You don't belong in this world!
Dracula: It was not by my hand that I am once again given flesh. I was called here by humans who wish to pay me tribute.
Richter: Tribute!? You steal men's souls and make them your slaves!
Dracula: Perhaps the same could be said of all religions...
Richter: Your words are as empty as your soul! Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!
Dracula: What is a man?! A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk, have at you!

[Bratwurst]

The guy who voiced Dracula wasn't bad, everyone else just sounded as apathetic as their character portraits looked.

[evildead2099]

Okay so that's Tomb Raider and SOTN out of the way: what big PSX title will you dislike next kevin_psx?

As soon as I read this thread's original post, I thought the very same thing.

Either kevin_psx is a troll, or he is schizophrenic and his other half is a troll.

[ClassicGameTrader]

Castlevania on the PSX was without a doubt the pinnacle of 2D, thats all there is to say about that.

I beat the Japanese Version before it came out in the US, I was very disappointed with the voice acting, it was incredibly week when you compare it with the Japanese Version. But I think that it was also poorly written and seemingly recorded in less optimal conditions. The voices just dont resonate the same, Richter is acted by a very feminine sounding man who lives inside of a tin can.

But that hardly detracts from the game, without a doubt my favorite game of all time.

On a side note, I don't blame square USA for what it did with FFII when it was orignally released. At least it came out here at all in the US. The only thing I honestly would of liked to have seen was the abilities that were missing. Yeah, the translation was not stellar but it was good enough. All of the other stuff really doesn't factor into the gameplay all that much anyhow.

[Neo Rasa]

Plus if you ask me Nintendo and Square have totally redeemed themselves with the GBA port. I'd go so far as to call it the definitive version of the game.

[kevin_psx]

Really? You think the GBA version [of FF4] is better than the PS1 version? Why? What's different?



Your best bet is to play and come back and tell US what the appeal is

Thanks. I'll folllow your advice & report back when I beat it!

[Neo Rasa]

Well for one there's no load times. ;) Also the translation, while not totally redone, has been touched up a little more and is VERY good this time and much more accurate to the original, including all the subplots. The font is fixed so that the spell names and such are named properly (instead of Lit-1, etc.) and a time bar has been added to the battles like in Chrono Trigger so you can plan your attacks better. I would also say it has the most balanced difficulty of any version of the game.

[-SuperYoshi-]

Not to mention the sound effects in the PSX version were just God-awful.