Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

 DS
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2005
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 255 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 213 out of 255
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 255
  3. Negative: 16 out of 255
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  1. bolt7
    Sep 16, 2010
    9
    If you love Castlevania, you'll love Dawn of Sorrow. Not a whole lot has changed since the switch to 'Metroidvania' in Symphony of the Night- but how is that a bad thing? Dracula's castle is as exciting as ever, with some impressive DS visuals presenting players with a wide variety of different areas to explore. It's possible to level up and equip a wide array of different weaponry andIf you love Castlevania, you'll love Dawn of Sorrow. Not a whole lot has changed since the switch to 'Metroidvania' in Symphony of the Night- but how is that a bad thing? Dracula's castle is as exciting as ever, with some impressive DS visuals presenting players with a wide variety of different areas to explore. It's possible to level up and equip a wide array of different weaponry and armour, giving players a perfect amount of customisation for their character. The classic Castlevania formula works flawlessly on DS and will be sure to have you coming back for more.… Expand
  2. JayG.
    Dec 8, 2005
    9
    This is what the DS was waiting for. A perfect side-scroller with huge environments,lots of weapons, and amazing bosses. I'd recomend this game to any DS owner.
  3. HattoriH.
    Oct 6, 2005
    10
    Whoever said this was a GBA game has obviously never played it.
  4. TGage
    Oct 6, 2005
    10
    Hey, "Edge" Magazine! "Innovatory" isn't a word, idiot.
  5. MaximianoZ.
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    This is a very good game:2d graphics and a very good use in the tactil screen.
  6. MahebruH.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    Yes. a "10". it's that good.
  7. MattL.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    This game has devoured my soul.
  8. Simon
    Oct 14, 2005
    9
    To the person calling it "another rehash from Nintendo", well done for being an idiot as the game is from Konami, Nintendo have nothing to do with it, its simply on a Nintendo system.
  9. AnonymousMC
    Aug 15, 2009
    8
    I had a lot of fun with this game, which was my second Castlevania game ever (the first was Order of Ecclesia). The gameplay is really superior in this game, and the level design is brilliant. Some of the monsters are also really, really cool. And the different endings are nice. I have two objections to this game, though. The first is the boss fights, which are *way* too easy. All but twoI had a lot of fun with this game, which was my second Castlevania game ever (the first was Order of Ecclesia). The gameplay is really superior in this game, and the level design is brilliant. Some of the monsters are also really, really cool. And the different endings are nice. I have two objections to this game, though. The first is the boss fights, which are *way* too easy. All but two or three can be won by basically standing near the monster and hitting with a good weapon while using healing potions and food. I had to retry two fights in the entire game, and I'm a noob who rarely uses slide, back off or even the powerful attack features. That's really bad. The two last fights were much better though. My second issue is the story, which is very poor if you haven't played Aria of Sorrow (it might be poor even if you did play that game -- I wouldn't know). I know story isn't important here, but how hard can it be to actually put a good one instead of a tame one in the game? Anyway: I had great fun, and I'm looking forward to playing Portrait of Ruin once I get hold of it.… Expand
  10. BobbyH.
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    I haven't been this engrossed since SOTN
  11. PlixikW.
    Dec 6, 2006
    10
    Amazing game. anyone that likes anything in existence should get this game. Pure castlevania goodness.
  12. IsaacS.
    Feb 4, 2006
    10
    The game is brilliant. It has a very good stating movie with very good graphics for a DS. The interseting storyline and gamplay is very adictive you wont want to put it down. The magic seal system is an ingenius idea that makes the game more exciting. The power to upgrade weapons with the souls you have collected via Yoko's power is fantastic. A thoroughly good game.
  13. JohnnyD.
    Apr 20, 2006
    9
    freakin fantastic the monsters are cool the magics the combats, everything works. i wish their was also a rockets lawncher.
  14. [Anonymous]
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    David S. gave it a0: It's a GBA game. That's all. Uhh, no it isn't. It's a DS game, moron.
  15. PFG9000
    Oct 14, 2005
    10
    Simply the best sidescrolling platformer I've ever played. While it isn't altogether innovative, it does everything perfectly. Also the most balanced of the free-roaming Castlevanias.
  16. KevinB.
    Oct 18, 2005
    10
    Simply the greatest Castlevania game ever. If you disagree, then you are wrong. plain and simple. Once you get into it, theres no stoping. You will be addicted to this like CRACK! So, get this game, now!
  17. KaitlynA.
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    Greatest game iv ppalyed in a long time, seriously. This game rules, who cares if it started as a GBA game, does that really matter? NO! this game is great, awesome graphics, sound, and EXTREME replayability! Portable game of the year, without a doubt.
  18. ReviewerRev
    Dec 12, 2005
    9
    One of the DS's greatest games! Id recomend this game to any DS owner.
  19. TonyG.
    Oct 24, 2005
    10
    Loved sotn, aria, and circle ... if you do to then run out now and get this game .... 1 thing i would go crazy for and would be a game come true, is if konami released a castlevania game in the same 2.5d graphics as contra shattered soldiers for the ps2. it would be amazing production. just imagine playing as alucard or soma cruz in 2.5 d style it would definitly be a dream come true!!!Loved sotn, aria, and circle ... if you do to then run out now and get this game .... 1 thing i would go crazy for and would be a game come true, is if konami released a castlevania game in the same 2.5d graphics as contra shattered soldiers for the ps2. it would be amazing production. just imagine playing as alucard or soma cruz in 2.5 d style it would definitly be a dream come true!!! and im not the only one dreaming that. anyway dawn of sorrow is amazing all around 10!!!… Expand
  20. JayN
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    One of the best Castlevania games since SotN. A must have for Metroidvania fans.
  21. ROBBMAC
    Oct 7, 2005
    9
    9.5 is my score... I think this game is pretty good, I actually like the fact that they didn't go over board putting gimmicky touch screen features in this game. I would have given it a 10 had they left the touch screen parts out all together, but they usage they chose IS fitting.
  22. NateB.
    Jun 15, 2006
    10
    A must have DS title. The main mission is the best out of a castlevania since Symphony of the Night and has a decent amount of challenge to it to make it exciting. There is also an incredible amount of depth in collecting the souls, upgrading weapons and unlocking bonus features. Hard Mode and Boss Rush mode are back and still fantastic (and difficult). But, what takes the game from being A must have DS title. The main mission is the best out of a castlevania since Symphony of the Night and has a decent amount of challenge to it to make it exciting. There is also an incredible amount of depth in collecting the souls, upgrading weapons and unlocking bonus features. Hard Mode and Boss Rush mode are back and still fantastic (and difficult). But, what takes the game from being an 8 or 9 to a 10 is Julius mode. After spending around 10 hours on the main mission (I also goofed around a lot trying to find secrets) you are treated to a mode where you can play as Julius through the main mission and then get additional characters to use including Yoko and Alucard (!!!) and are able to swap between them like in Castlevania 3. Aria had Julius mode, but it was too short and just not the same. This one is amazing and could be its own game. While the premise of the Metroid style Castelvanias is something that has been used for 5 straight games, it's done to such a high quality that it is difficult to give this game anything less than a 9 or 10.… Expand
  23. Uwepoll
    Nov 11, 2005
    8
    A great game in it's own right, but I'm getting a little tired of the collect'em'up nature of the Castlevania games. There's too much backtracking. Still, I think anyone who haven't played Symphony of the Night or any of the GBA Castlevanias should get this.
  24. MarkS.
    Nov 19, 2005
    8
    As far as the 2D castlevania games go, I always like to think of Symphony of the Night as the L.A. Lakers, whenever the Lakers were dominating, and the gameboy castlevanias as either the Sacramento Kings or Dallas Mavericks. Worthy contenders, always pounding away with the flashy offense but never quite able to achieve the pinnacle of greatness needed to dethone the mighty champion. This As far as the 2D castlevania games go, I always like to think of Symphony of the Night as the L.A. Lakers, whenever the Lakers were dominating, and the gameboy castlevanias as either the Sacramento Kings or Dallas Mavericks. Worthy contenders, always pounding away with the flashy offense but never quite able to achieve the pinnacle of greatness needed to dethone the mighty champion. This latest Castlevania, "Dawn of Sorrow," has perhaps come the closest, however like the great Sacramento Kings of 2002 when they took the Lakers to the brink of game 7 in overtime, this castlevania comes up barely short of Symphony's greatness. Comes really really close, but doesn't quite have the stuff to be number one. Perhaps with their next try, they should trade in Soma for either Vlade Divac or Chris Webber. Or maybe a tall german vampire hunter like Dirk Nowitzki. At least something where you can tell for sure if it's a girl or a guy, this weird effeminate look doesn't quite do it for me.… Expand
  25. JFP.
    Nov 23, 2005
    9
    Amazing. supreme gameplay. no exagerating touch screen gimmicks. Great sound, nice soundtrack, great graphics. The bosses are nice to fight against. a must have for any lover of the series. Have FUN!
  26. BobX
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    Don't let the kids that sank 400 bucks into the psp lower the vote too much, the game is great :) lots of replayability and the graphics are very very nice. The aria of sorrow game play has been updated and refined enough to classify as more than just new levels. But ultimately the 2d castlevania series has been perfected via game play, It's really hard to imagine any kind of Don't let the kids that sank 400 bucks into the psp lower the vote too much, the game is great :) lots of replayability and the graphics are very very nice. The aria of sorrow game play has been updated and refined enough to classify as more than just new levels. But ultimately the 2d castlevania series has been perfected via game play, It's really hard to imagine any kind of improvement they can make that does not involve sound scope and graphics. With that said, the castle area is larger than it has ever been and the sounds and graphics are the best in the series yet. The animation is extremely smooth as well. Psp owners are just jealous that all of the good apps are on the DS and not the psp.… Expand
  27. AnonymousMC
    Oct 13, 2005
    9
    Who cares if it was planned as a GBA game? It's an outstanding CASTLEVANIA on the DS! ...it began as a GBA game, and they just enhanced the graphics, made the sound more accurate, the castle bigger, designed more various foes and threw in some gimmicky touchscreen things to make people think it's a DS game, it's worked on me I guess.
  28. IdonH.
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    Amazing, simply amazing.
  29. Menace
    Oct 29, 2005
    10
    Practicly the best game out for the DS, this and Trauma Center.
  30. KevinT.
    Sep 28, 2005
    10
    I bought this game last week (Import) and I am in love with it. The graphics and gameplay are amazing. I havn't played Symphony of the Night but now I am hooked on the series. This is the first Castlevania I have played since Simon's Quest. They have come a long way.
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best DS Game of 2005
8
#8 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Shared DS Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. Siliconera
    80
    It is clear that Dawn of Sorrow originally started out as a GBA title. It plays more like an advanced GBA game instead of a full fledged DS title.
    Read full review
  2. NintendoWorldReport
    95
    Dawn of Sorrow matches and in some cases exceeds the quality of "Symphony of the Night" in almost every way. Yet the two games have their own styles and features, so the newest addition to the series is in no way redundant with its legendary forebear. [JPN Import]
    Read full review
  3. Nintendo Power
    90
    If the graphics and sound aren't engrossing enough to draw you in, the intriguing story and exhilarating action should be. [Nov 2005, p.104]
See all critic reviews »