It’s story takes place 5 years after the events of Chi no Rondo (known as Dracula X – Rondo of Blood in the U.S.A.) , another Castlevania masterpiece originally released for the Japanese PC Engine in 1993. Longtime series hero Richter Belmont has vanished after defeating Dracula in the finale of Chi no Rondo. 5 years later he emerges in Castlevania, which has just recently manafestied itself again. It appears Richter has gone mad, as he is claiming to be the lord of the castle! This shift in the balance of good and evil has caused the son of Dracula, Alucard to awaken from a deep self induced sleep. When Alucard discovers that Caslevania has once again emerged out of the darkness, he travles to Translyvania to see what maddness has transpired between the castle walls.

Unlike previous Castlevania games, exploration is this game’s main strength. You will be constantly searching for new paths to take around the castle. And you will always remember the areas you can’t seem to explore just yet. Finding the items/abilities to access these areas feels incredibly rewarding as you will instantly know where you need to use them. You will never have to worry about getting lost either. The Map system Symphony uses (borrowed heavily from the SNES classic Super Metroid which is certainly not a bad thing) reveals itself as you progress through the castle. Uncovering more and more of the castle adds to your total castle completion percentage and is insanely addicting as you will long to reach 100% completion. Just a stellar formula for great gameplay.

In Symphony of the Night, Alucard uses a sword which was a different approach from Castlevania’s classic whipping action. But make no mistake where Alucard’s sword lacks in length he makes up for in speed and overall control. He has a back step right off the bat which you will want to master for dodging enemy attacks, and a list of magic spells that require street fighter like control movements. If one handed swordplay isn’t your style you can equip a two handed weapon or maybe the holy rod and a shield for defense. Some special moves which require certian item’s are the high jump (down,up jump to shoot to the ceiling) and the absolute 2D Classic , the double jump. SotN’s controls are complete perfection.

Alucard will also gain the ability to transform into 3 different forms for getting to those hard to reach areas on the map. Transform into a wolf if you need a little speed, a bat for your flying needs and mist which will make you able to pass through certain barred doors on your way to 100% map completion. There’s even familiar cards which you can find and turn on to give yourself a little help. Find the bat familiar and turn it on to see your new buddy stabbing at enemies for you. Your familiars will also gain experience and level up as well.

To top the game off if you can figure out the true reason behind Richter’s madness the castle will do a complete flip. You’ll be able to start the journey all over again with your current weapons and armor (as well as new ones to find), tougher enemies and another 100% of map to uncover in a complete upside down castle. Everything from furniture to flowing streams of water are reversed. I honestly haven’t been more surprised (and happy) at the end of any game I’ve played. To have another run through a fantastic game like SotN is more then welcome. 

C:SotN’s graphics are superb. Alucard’s cape is constantly flowing, no matter which one your wearing. He also has the nice effect of a trail always behind him which looks very cool. Enemies big and small are also nicely detailed and move fluid. All the other 2D effects you could ask for are present in SotN. Transparency, sprite scaling, scrolling backgrounds and sprite rotation push the PS1 to its’ 2D limits. As for the music, Composer Michiru Yamane delivers one of the finest scores in gaming history. With styles ranging from classical to metal and some just downright eerie, all are memorable tunes that will be stuck in your head forever.