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. MattL.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    This game has devoured my soul.
  2. BobbyH.
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    I haven't been this engrossed since SOTN
  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. PlixikW.
    Dec 6, 2006
    10
    Amazing game. anyone that likes anything in existence should get this game. Pure castlevania goodness.
  8. 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.
  9. [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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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!
  12. 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.
  13. 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
  14. JayN
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    One of the best Castlevania games since SotN. A must have for Metroidvania fans.
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. IdonH.
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    Amazing, simply amazing.
  18. Menace
    Oct 29, 2005
    10
    Practicly the best game out for the DS, this and Trauma Center.
  19. 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.
  20. Nurv
    Jan 26, 2011
    10
    I personally haven't played the old Castlevania games, dawn of sorrow was the second (due to rarity) Castlevania I've ever played and the best of the other Castlevania titles on the DS.

    Though the story was a little edgy here and there, the combat is excellent!
  21. funkydoodycool
    May 8, 2015
    10
    The GBA games were close to perfect. This tips it over into completely perfect. My favourite of all the metroidvania games this has a fun story, great graphics, tight controls and plenty to see and do.

    It's on the easy side compared to some of the series, but that doesn't harm it in my eyes.
  22. Gjmzvs
    Oct 23, 2017
    10
    És el meu joc preferit de Nitnendo DS, té caps i bèsties amb habilitats especials i tota la temàtica del joc és incomparable, diria que és un dels millors de la mateixa companyia.
  23. Piece_of_uncle
    Jul 12, 2017
    10
    To me, this is the best Castlevania game and is in my top 10 all time favorites. It's a perfectly executed side-scroller with beautiful parallaxing effects to bring the environments to life. Literally hundreds of monsters, weapons, and abilities each with additional power increase possibilities. You combine weapons and souls of monsters you defeat to create unbelievable combinations. EachTo me, this is the best Castlevania game and is in my top 10 all time favorites. It's a perfectly executed side-scroller with beautiful parallaxing effects to bring the environments to life. Literally hundreds of monsters, weapons, and abilities each with additional power increase possibilities. You combine weapons and souls of monsters you defeat to create unbelievable combinations. Each one of these has a challenging/fun learning curve to master. The music is as beautiful as always and the gorgeous art style adds to the overall epic ness of this game. Not to mention, the anime style animatics are an awesome touch to this gens delivery. Easily a 10/10!… Expand
  24. Playingall
    Jul 26, 2017
    10
    It is the first Castlevania that I had, but not the first that I played, because the first one was SOTN. If you have already played the SOTN (Symphony of the Night), you may see similarities with Dos (Dawn of Sorrow). The difference is that is another history, a completely different castle and also better graphics. You can see the evolution of Konami developing the Castlevania games. YouIt is the first Castlevania that I had, but not the first that I played, because the first one was SOTN. If you have already played the SOTN (Symphony of the Night), you may see similarities with Dos (Dawn of Sorrow). The difference is that is another history, a completely different castle and also better graphics. You can see the evolution of Konami developing the Castlevania games. You may play it if you enjoy a good 2 game and if you enjoy searching secrets rooms and stealing rares souls.… Expand
  25. Mattia9336
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    The best Castlevania games on the DS and one of the best in general, especially gameplay wise. The touch-screen mechanics are a bit annoying but I can't take seriously anyone who says they ruin the game
  26. tukumalu
    Jan 25, 2020
    10
    The wonderful score made the game memorable for me. The soul harvest system is a good retain from previous entry.
  27. Darkspawn677
    Aug 8, 2022
    10
    Soma is acully the son of alucard which means he has to be more like v from devil may cry vergil human half he also has to be more like police girl in hellsing and bayonetta daughter gohan and superboy remember that soma is only a semi vampire i love his soul powers it would have been cool if more people had it
  28. Alkecyrax
    Nov 20, 2022
    10
    One of the best games in the entire series, it has everything a good Castlevania game needs to have. Using the Nintendo DS touch screen isn't very comfortable, but it's less annoying than it sounds.
  29. Darkshade
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    Alucard and soma have to be like police girl from hellsing credo and cerezita especially soma and trevor and julius have to be like the werewolf boy in hellsing and nero and jeanne when she was a child especially juluis
  30. 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.
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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 »