Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 2, 1997
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. All Game Guide
    90
    Anyone even remotely interested in the world of 2D side-scrollers or the Castlevania series should pick this up – it's a must have.
  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    93
    This is exactly what I'm looking for in a 32-bit Castlevania game: great graphics and animation, plenty of way-cool Bosses and tight 2D gameplay.
  3. Game Revolution
    83
    It's tremendous fun and very addicting, despite the uninteresting plot and the bad acting. I only wish it were larger because I enjoyed it so much.
  5. GamePro
    100
    A mandatory addition to any Castlevania fan's game library.
  6. GameSpot
    89
    Quite possibly the best 2D action side scroller ever.
  7. Gaming Maxx
    94
    The music is outstanding. It sets the mood perfectly for each scene and makes you feel like you are really in the game.
  8. GMR Magazine
    90
    A certifiable classic. [Feb 2003, p.97]
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  9. IGN
    90
    The music is brilliant too - sometimes daunting, sometimes rousing and always doing what music should - enhancing the action.
  10. Just RPG
    94
    One of the best games available for the original PlayStation. With all of the new features available, Symphony of the Night is very different from the previous games in the Castlevania series, but it also stands out as one of the best.
  11. netjak
    95
    With at least four known endings, Symphony's already astounding replay value is entirely phenomenal.
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  12. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    100
    Featuring a massive quest filled with RPG elements, mind-blowing 2D backgrounds, fantastic character artwork, an astounding soundtrack and osme of the best Castlevania gameplay ever seen, SOTN is a PS one classic that can't be missed. [Nov 2001, p.40]
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  13. PSX Nation
    96
    Not to be missed.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PS1 Game of 1997
2
#2 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1997
1
#1 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1997

User Reviews

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User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 877 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 804 out of 877
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 877
  3. Negative: 46 out of 877
  1. wasabi867
    Dec 10, 2012
    10
    ZzzZZzzZz *Oh, another CoD, thanks is pass* ZzzzzzZZzzzz *Oh what we got here ? MoH Warfighter* ZZzzzzzZZZ Oh, Another CoD Game ? ZzZZzzzZZzzZZzzZz *Oh, another CoD, thanks is pass* ZzzzzzZZzzzz *Oh what we got here ? MoH Warfighter* ZZzzzzzZZZ Oh, Another CoD Game ? ZzZZzzzZ *Opens old PS1 Book, what have we got here ? Castlevania Symphonie of the Night... Pops the Game in... BAM! ............ It blows you away and shows you even to this Date what a real "Magical" Game does .. It is EPIC and holds up better then the Rest of the Sh** that gets shi* out nowadays!!!! Pick it up!… Full Review »
  2. Awordley
    Oct 9, 2018
    10
    Released in 1997, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is widely regarded as one of the best games released for the Playstation. For a consoleReleased in 1997, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is widely regarded as one of the best games released for the Playstation. For a console strongly forging a path into the 3D era of gaming with titles such as Crash Bandicoot and Final Fantasy VII, how was a traditional 2D side-scroller able to compete with these games?
    Symphony of the Night’s story focuses on Alucard, the rebellious son of Dracula, rather than the usual Belmont family that have been the series’ protagonists since Castlevania’s debut in 1986. Alucard is unnaturally awakened from long slumber to find that Dracula’s Castle has once again returned, and strangely there isn’t a Belmont to put a stop to it, leaving it up to Alucard to investigate what’s going on.
    Unlike previous Castlevania games that came before it, Symphony of the Night takes the archaic design of the classic games and gives it a new coat of paint. Gone are the linear stages, now replaced with a sprawling, open-ended map of Dracula’s Castle granting the player the freedom of exploration and the ability to choose their own path. While the classic vampire-killing action remains it has been refined with exceptionally smooth control that still holds up well even today, and a heavy emphasis on character customisation. A huge variety of equipment (such as weapons, armour and accessories) can be found scattered throughout Dracula’s Castle for the player to find and use, enabling them to grow stronger through exploration and allowing them to customise Alucard to their liking.
    This style of gameplay, having the player grow in strength through exploration, is comparable to the likes of the Metroid series, and along with the game Super Metroid, pioneered the genre ‘Metroidvania’. However, unique to Symphony of the Night is the addition of RPG mechanics. Enemies that would usually only serve as obstacles now allow the player to gain EXP, making every encounter an opportunity to grow in strength, keeping the game’s combat fresh.
    Konami’s decision to stick to a 2D style for Symphony of the Night was definitely worth it; the Playstation’s hardware is used to produce stunning 32-bit sprites that are full of detail, making this the best looking 2D Castlevania game to date. The sprite quality is gorgeous and certainly still holds up today, contrary to a lot of the early 3D titles on the Playstation that are riddled with polygons and have not aged well. Accompanying the masterful sprite-work is an excellent score composed by Michiru Yamane that sets the tone of the game perfectly. With action packed, exhilarating melodies that Castlevania is known for, and expertly crafted tracks that cause areas to ooze with atmosphere, it’s easy to say that Symphony of the Night has one of the best soundtracks in gaming.
    Overall Symphony of the Night is a Playstation classic that shouldn’t be missed. The only downside is that as with most Castlevania games, it can be difficult to pick up for beginners to the series, as some of its designs (such as the UI) can be unintuitive and the gameplay can be unforgiving. Yet with its tight controls, gorgeous sprite-work, brilliant music and addictive Metroidvania gameplay, Symphony of the Night is a gaming classic for the Playstation and is worth anyone’s time to experience until the end.    … Full Review »
  3. RichterB.
    Dec 7, 2006
    10
    This game was a break through when it was created not just because the soundtrack was incredible, the visuals were stunning, the variety of This game was a break through when it was created not just because the soundtrack was incredible, the visuals were stunning, the variety of characters you could play with, the multitude of weapons and items, infinite combinations of the former and secret powers, but because it offered what a lot of games did not at the time and that was freedom of environment in a 2-D. Super metroid was one of the predecessors to this type of gameplay and it holds its crown for its ability on the Super NES. Castlevania was the definitive for PS because it took that powefully free and entertaining gameplay with a classic story and game to more depth and adventure than ever before. It was similar to Fable on X box or Lament on PS2 but it still out classes both with its sheer amount of charater and playable variability. If only we could have more games with such fun, simplicity and depth that keeps you asking for more.… Full Review »
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