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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Universal acclaim
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 60 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: September 30, 1997
Summary
Konami's Castlevania series has featured games on nearly every major system, and this latest 2D side-scroller requires the player to explore Dracula's castle and discover why Richter Belmont, the hero of the first game, has vanished.
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Castlevania 64 Castlevania Chronicles Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot GameSpot Guide IGN
Also On The Web: Official Game Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
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]
netjak
With at least four known endings, Symphony’s already astounding replay value is entirely phenomenal.
Read Full Review >Gaming Maxx
The music is outstanding. It sets the mood perfectly for each scene and makes you feel like you are really in the game.
Read Full Review >Just RPG
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.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
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.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
A certifiable classic. [Feb 2003, p.97]
IGN
The music is brilliant too - sometimes daunting, sometimes rousing and always doing what music should - enhancing the action.
Read Full Review >All Game Guide
Anyone even remotely interested in the world of 2D side-scrollers or the Castlevania series should pick this up – it's a must have.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 60 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Max gave it a10:
I would have given it a 100 if I could. This game is nothing less than a spiritual journey, almost holy and god like. Music was awesome, Gameplay was perfect which sets a new standard for all 2d games to come and the Graphics were exceptionally good specially for it being a Ps one game and being 2d at the same time.
Tito H gave it a10:
The best side-scroller, the best Castlevania, the best PSOne game, and one of the best of all time.Beautiful graphics, unforgettable soundtrack, dozens of enemies, hundreds of itens and even cool bugs!Before this game i hated Castlevania, now it's easily one of my favorite series.
Adam RW gave it a9:
The gameplay is a benchmark for all (hopefully, possibly, someday, maybe not) future 2D sidescrolling adventure games. Much like Super Metroid, but quite innnovative none the less. 2D pixel gaming heaven.
Richter B. gave it a10:
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.
Samusaran43 gave it a10:
Great Castlevania game. This is one of my most liked game in the series. I just bought it and started playing it even though I've played the newer ones. One thing I love about SOTN is it seems to be a combination of Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, and Dawn of Sorrow all of which I loved. To me, this is the best game in the series. Sure the voice acting and storyline might need work, but those are small sacrifices of the sheer genus that Konami did when they made this game in 1997. I hope that they will make another one that surpasses this game, DOS comes close but almost passes.
Alucart gave it a5:
Played, finished it with the 197% completion rate, but never found it being an exciting game. Maybe it's because of the reason that I finished Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow not so long ago and they make this one to feel somewhat lacky, messy and boring. That, or this game is just over-rated. One thing is for sure (okay, two things): The voice acting is indeed _horrible_ (it's a common fact) and the game's plot was really uninteresting (or badly attached in the game).
Chris P. gave it a10:
I'll keep this short. Symphony of the Night was the best game on the Playstation. Hundreds of weapons to collect throughout the castle, along with some of the most enjoyable sidescrolling action since Super Metroid is why this game is lauded as being one of the best. Ever. Period.
