Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

If you've followed the posts in this feed, you're familiar with my penchant for retro gaming. That hobby got a shot in the arm when I got my old Sega Saturn up and running recently. Diving back into the Saturn's vast and woefully underappreciated library reacquainted me with a game that may in fact be all things to all men. A chimerical mix of old and new, 2D and 3D, action platformer and RPG - the retro title under review today is Toru Hagihara's 1997 masterpiece Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Symphony of the Night is not only noteworthy for blending game genres. It's legendary for its heady mix of atmospheric design, challenging gameplay, and hauntingly beautiful music. This game is hailed as a significant departure from the traditional linear structure of the Castlevania series.

That much-vaunted rep isn't entirely deserved, though. Because the exploration/RPG format that won SotN accolades first appeared way back in Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest. It's one of the gaming scene's chief ironies that the actual pioneer gets unjustly maligned while the successor that carries much of its sire's DNA takes all the glory.

You may be thinking Wait. Wasn't Symphony of the Night a PS1 release? And if we're talking North America, you'd be right. But Japan got it on the Saturn. For my money, it's the superior version, featuring two additional castle areas and two bonus characters who are playable from the beginning. And following the general rule, the Saturn runs 2D games better than the Play Station. The full experience was denied Western gamers who didn't have an imported or modded Saturn, but now we have our ways.

Speaking of 2D games, a standout feature of this one is its stunning sprite animation. The game's gothic aesthetic, coupled with intricate level design, immerses the player in a setting that's equal parts Hammer horror film, High 90s vampire anime, and classic Konami platformer. Each area within Dracula's castle is meticulously crafted, offering a wide range of settings-as-characters that seamlessly transition from eerie catacombs to opulent ballrooms.

The gameplay mechanics, centered around main protagonist Alucard, are fluid and responsive. Our half-vampire hero's arsenal of weapons and magical abilities adds variety and flexibility to combat, offering players multiple custom strategies for confronting the motley horde of enemies lurking in the castle's shadows. The incorporation of RPG elements like leveling up and acquiring new equipment, offers satisfying dopamine hits on a variable progression schedule.

And Symphony of the Night manages the impressive feat of amping up the challenge without falling back on cheap NES-era platforming tricks. Thanks in large part to its RPG elements, the difficulty curve keeps players engaged without frustrating them. The bosses are memorable and pose formidable adversaries, requiring strategic thinking to overcome

The game's soundtrack, composed by Michiru Yamane, is nothing short of ingenious. The haunting melodies and orchestral arrangements perfectly complement the game's pseudo-gothic atmosphere. And I'll take SotN's choral starting screen music over Halo's any day of the week.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night remains a masterwork of game design, captivating players with its trademark atmospheric world, challenging but fun gameplay, and immortal soundtrack. Its status as a series-redefining entry and a must-play for horror and adventure game fans is more than deserved.

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