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. Cancery1987
    Mar 21, 2021
    6
    Not good as Aria of Sorrow

    Bad weapon system. Force you farming soul to upgrade weapon

    Farming soul is stupid thing too

    And seal, whats wrong?! Max stupid !
  8. tom974
    Apr 15, 2020
    7
    Not a bad game, but quite a copy-paste from Aria of Sorrow. Graphics seems to have been made for GBA globally. The most interesting point is the Julius mode which is quite good and offers a challenge.
  9. MattL.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    This game has devoured my soul.
  10. DavidS.
    Oct 4, 2005
    0
    It's a GBA game. That's all.
  11. Hey
    Oct 10, 2005
    5
    Hey T Gage, innovatory IS a word: http://sts.zju.edu.cn/english/lexicon/rt2/92/I0829250.html ........Idiot. And for the game, yay, ANOTHER rehash by Nintendo. At least they're consistent. Wonder what's next....Mario Snowboarding!!!
  12. ChrisK.
    Oct 10, 2005
    0
    Hattori, surely you can't be so ignorant to think they made this game for the DS groundup. One year for a Castlevania game? No, it began as a GBA game, and they just threw in some gimmicky touch screen soul things to make people think it's a DS game, it's worked on you I guess.
  13. 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.
  14. N.
    Nov 9, 2005
    0
    Cant belive that they are churning out this crap. games like these where all the rage 12 years ago and it seems like the DS is the only hand held that is capable of playing this drivil.
  15. AnonymousMC
    Oct 19, 2005
    0
    Anonymous, I think he meant that it began as a DS game and you can't tell the difference, I think he's aware of the fact that it is on the DS. Best Castelvania game? SotN is MUCH better. Still good, just trying to lower all the DS fanboy votes.
  16. 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
  17. Caestus
    Mar 11, 2013
    7
    Is not a bad game but somehow i cant get hyped about dawn of sorrow.
  18. pooooooooooooop
    Jul 20, 2015
    1
    I apologise for the username i just needed to type something quik, Castlevania DoS was so horrible, it made me scared to buy another game on the nintendo ds... the plot is stale and recycled, the gameplay, it just throws in monsters and enemies from sotn and remasterd versions of Aos... And this is comming from a HARDCORE CASTLEVANIA FAN !!! honest to god , i got bored of this game afterI apologise for the username i just needed to type something quik, Castlevania DoS was so horrible, it made me scared to buy another game on the nintendo ds... the plot is stale and recycled, the gameplay, it just throws in monsters and enemies from sotn and remasterd versions of Aos... And this is comming from a HARDCORE CASTLEVANIA FAN !!! honest to god , i got bored of this game after i was halfway through it
    i'm sorry to tell you... but DO NOT BUY THIS GAME unless you want to ruin the ENTIRE castelvania series for you i'm telling you... i talked up this game to my mom , and when i got it , i wanted to kill myself becasue it ruined castelvania for me....    … Expand
  19. BobbyH.
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    I haven't been this engrossed since SOTN
  20. PlixikW.
    Dec 6, 2006
    10
    Amazing game. anyone that likes anything in existence should get this game. Pure castlevania goodness.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. [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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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!
  26. 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.
  27. ReviewerRev
    Dec 12, 2005
    9
    One of the DS's greatest games! Id recomend this game to any DS owner.
  28. 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
  29. JayN
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    One of the best Castlevania games since SotN. A must have for Metroidvania fans.
  30. 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.
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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 »