Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 171 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 171
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 171
  3. Negative: 15 out of 171

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  1. wesker2012
    May 27, 2012
    6
    This game was pretty good. It felt a bit short though, I dunno I think i missed some secrets maybe.
  2. drlowdon
    Aug 2, 2013
    7
    For a game that is almost fifteen years old Symphony of the Night holds up remarkable well. A 2D action RPG it takes the template from the Metroid series presenting players with a huge castle (home of Dracula) to traverse that gradually unlocks as weapons, abilities and equipment are (re)discovered. Being an RPG defeating enemies of course allows you to level up. Although there is no realFor a game that is almost fifteen years old Symphony of the Night holds up remarkable well. A 2D action RPG it takes the template from the Metroid series presenting players with a huge castle (home of Dracula) to traverse that gradually unlocks as weapons, abilities and equipment are (re)discovered. Being an RPG defeating enemies of course allows you to level up. Although there is no real ability for the type of customisation found in more modern titles this does make all the backtracking to find newly accessible areas slightly less of a chore than it might otherwise have been.

    The gameplay itself is fast paced and varied with a range of different enemy types each with their own attack patterns to keep players on their toes. Evidence of the games age is certainly visible in the rather blurry graphics, terrible script and somewhat unresponsive controls (although that last one may have more to do with the Xbox 360 pad). To be honest this is a game crying out for a modern day remake but for now you could do a lot worse than give Symphony of the Night a try.    … Expand
  3. bloodedgesensai
    Feb 25, 2019
    7
    This is a well made port. Unfortunately, it still feels lacking. Everything symphony of the night did well is still here. Not only that, but there is no loading screens and no slowdown. I was however, hoping for the Saturn and PSP content. Maybe the 2 variations of Maria would be fused together. That might be unreasonable, but as long as Maria is playable in some way. Even still, where'sThis is a well made port. Unfortunately, it still feels lacking. Everything symphony of the night did well is still here. Not only that, but there is no loading screens and no slowdown. I was however, hoping for the Saturn and PSP content. Maybe the 2 variations of Maria would be fused together. That might be unreasonable, but as long as Maria is playable in some way. Even still, where's the saturn's item button? Or the ghost prison? Underground garden? The PSP version's better voice acting? I can live without all of that, but what happened to the infinite wing smash?

    Overall. I highly recommend this to anyone that hasn't played symphony of the night. This is the best version. It's just a shame that instead of being better than the PS1 version it could have been the definitive symphony of the night experience.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
33
#33 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
9
#9 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    90
    It was, and still is, a gaming masterpiece. The term ‘Must Buy’ was created for games like this.
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  2. GameSpot
    85
    Symphony of the Night was an amazing adventure back in 1997, and even after 10 years, it's still most definitely worth playing.
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  3. TeamXbox
    95
    With a mixture of open-ended gameplay elements, more advanced controls, and a gripping story, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the epitome of the side-scrolling genre.
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