Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

 DS
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2005
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Image
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 254 Ratings

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  • Summary: The year is 2036, one year after the events of "Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow." Soma Cruz finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma must infiltrate the enemy'sThe year is 2036, one year after the events of "Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow." Soma Cruz finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma must infiltrate the enemy's home base, a towering replica of Dracula's castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures. Defeat foes with the "Magic Seal" system using the touch screen. Exchange souls with other players via the DS wireless connection. Features an incredible musical score, next-gen graphics & stunning special effects. [Konami]… Expand
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Nintendo E3 2005 Press Conference DS/GBA Demo Showcase

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. Gaming Age
    100
    Controls are dead on, giving the gamer the feeling of knowing that any mistakes made in the game are the fault of the gamer themselves, not the controls.
  2. GameZone
    95
    Bigger, tougher, meaner, and more next-gen. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow fills every part of the Nintendo DS's two-inch screen with new bosses, levels, and dozens of backdrops that are drop-dead gorgeous.
  3. Game Informer
    93
    Its sublime mix of puzzles, great bosses, perfectly paced exploration, and enormous variety make this an utterly amazing adventure. [Nov 2005, p.176]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Next Level Gaming
    90
    Dawn of Sorrow is what is right about Castlevania. And it's what the Nintendo DS should be doing in it's games, rather than trying to be something it's not.
  5. N-Europe
    90
    A classic game. Entering a big castle, defeating monsters, and killing giant bosses. We did it all before, but it rarely was as fun as in this game.
  6. RPG Fan
    85
    If you liked "Aria of Sorrow," pick up DoS. If not, steer clear.
  7. NTSC-uk
    70
    Perhaps it is time for the series to evolve again rather than looking inward, just as it did nearly a decade ago when SotN was unleashed on an unsuspecting world. [JPN Import]

See all 52 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 64
  3. Negative: 6 out of 64
  1. MahebruH.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    Yes. a "10". it's that good.
  2. 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 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
  4. 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 annoyingThe 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… Expand
  5. ReviewerRev
    Dec 12, 2005
    9
    One of the DS's greatest games! Id recomend this game to any DS owner.
  6. ylnylmn
    Aug 10, 2021
    9
    It was as good a game as Aria and I think I can say that I liked it more than Aria. I think it's my favorite Castlevania game I've played soIt was as good a game as Aria and I think I can say that I liked it more than Aria. I think it's my favorite Castlevania game I've played so far. (I played 1-2-3-4 SOTN and Aria). I really liked the story. Dialogues between Yoko and Hammer. Find clues and hidden information with dialogue. Weapon upgrade system. Various skills. Level design. Nice boss battles. The things we do with the touchscreen. Magic Seals. It was fun. Music is great. I finished the game in 8 hours and 98% of it. I enjoyed every minute of it.… Expand
  7. Ramiro1992
    Oct 18, 2014
    8
    This game is awesome!!!!!
    I love every single TRUE Castlevania game, i mean the sidescroller titles! I don't like lord of shadows or that    This game is awesome!!!!!
    I love every single TRUE Castlevania game, i mean the sidescroller titles! I don't like lord of shadows or that 3d's awful titles.
    Castlevania Dawn Of sorrow can be defined as one of the best Castlevania games ever made! Of Course it took the famous "Metroidvania" style. originated in Symphony of the night, but that's fine, because that style just fits very well in this kind of games. The music is a masterpiece, what a wonderful songs this game has. The argument and characters are simply great, very interesting things happens while you play, and that keeps you interested the whole game. Some enemies are new, there's some improved things, this game has much fun to offer, there's some puzzles also, like a door that you can open if the number match you gold, or if you buy a newspaper, it gives you some clues about certain creatures you can find. This game is really excellent, i am glad to be one of the gamers that LOVE CASTLEVANIA series. Sadly, this is one of the last Castlevania games that are actually good. hope in the near future we receive games like this one.

    Positive(+):
    + Excellent storyline
    + Wonderful music
    + Very good and innovative gameplay mechanics, like touch the screen to break the ice.
    + The characters are very cool, each one has a very interesting personality.
    + A new mode in wich you can create your own list of enemies to defeat.
    + This game retains all the good elements that made the Castlevania series so great.
    + Some good puzzles and secrets to discover, this game rewards the exploration.
    + Wireless mode has been imrpoved

    Negative(-):

    - Some combat elements are exactly the same as the previous Castlevania games.
    - Some enemies are too easy to defeat.    … Expand
  8. 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 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.… Expand

See all 64 User Reviews

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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