Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

 Game Boy Advance
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: May 6, 2003
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 168 Ratings

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  • Summary: The year is 2035 and Soma Cruz is about to witness the first solar eclipse of the 21st century when he suddenly blacks out -- only to awaken inside a mysterious castle. As Soma, you must navigate the castle's labyrinths while confronting perilous monsters at every turn. But beware, you mustThe year is 2035 and Soma Cruz is about to witness the first solar eclipse of the 21st century when he suddenly blacks out -- only to awaken inside a mysterious castle. As Soma, you must navigate the castle's labyrinths while confronting perilous monsters at every turn. But beware, you must escape before the evil consumes you!… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. eToychest
    100
    With all of its unique features and amounts of item/soul collection, Aria could be considered second to only one other game in the Castlevania series – the masterpiece, "Symphony of the Night."
  2. Pocket Games
    100
    Probably the prettiest of the three recent Castlevanias. [Fall 2003, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    95
    Even if you’ve never played one of the recent Castlevania titles, and especially if you were bothered by the unbalanced design of the last two games, go out right now and pick up Aria of Sorrow.
  4. Cheat Code Central
    90
    It's more fun that the last two games and the production values have been improved. I find this game has a better balance of gameplay variety and unique level designs that keep it from becoming repetitive.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GamePro
    90
    A superior GBA adventure in every respect and a marked improvement on "Harmony of Dissonance." Still, it is another "Symphony of the Night" clone—if you’re feeling a little sick of the same ol’ thing, this game may be the breaking point.
  6. Game Over Online
    88
    From what I've seen so far in Sorrow and its predecessor, this attentive, almost meticulous craftwork put into Castlevania ought to be transferred to a mainstream console or even the PC; my own backhanded compliment to the developers.
  7. GameCritics
    70
    Since Aria Of Sorrow is the third Castlevania in as many years, I'm also concerned that Konami is growing increasingly content to simply rest on their laurels.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. JohnL.
    Jul 9, 2003
    10
    This is way better than other Castlevania games.
  2. NathanI.
    Apr 28, 2003
    10
    Tight game.
  4. RyokenI.
    Mar 23, 2008
    10
    Brilliant! If you like super metroid, wonderboy 3- dragons trap, and of course SOTN, you will love this to pieces. Exploration, platform Brilliant! If you like super metroid, wonderboy 3- dragons trap, and of course SOTN, you will love this to pieces. Exploration, platform gaming, rpg and collection game (think pokemon) this game should appeal to a broad audience, the only possible fllaw being it''s difficulty level... too easy. But with a bit of creativity, you can even devise a challenge game (try beating it with one kind of weapon, or no armor!) 38/40… Expand
  5. Manny
    Mar 17, 2004
    10
    The best of the gba castlevanias and thats saying a lot. An A class game all the way.
  6. arcazeronus
    Oct 26, 2013
    10
    The storyline, the sprites, the music; everything is amazing about this game.
    Just like SotN, it's basically a Metroidvania. There is so many    The storyline, the sprites, the music; everything is amazing about this game.
    Just like SotN, it's basically a Metroidvania. There is so many things to discover, so many things to loot. The music in this game is great. The art style of characters are unique. The overall world is looking brilliant.
    Even if you beat the game for a few times, you still want to play it more. The levels are designed well, and when you beat the game, you get rewarded by having more playability.
    If you've never played this game and you liked any of Castlevania games, you should play this.    … Expand
  7. frankzhang2046
    Nov 11, 2019
    10
    My favorite video game of all time. The movement is incredibly responsive, music is amazing, the system is intuitive. Overall the flow of theMy favorite video game of all time. The movement is incredibly responsive, music is amazing, the system is intuitive. Overall the flow of the game is so good that I've played this game at least 20 times in total yet still goes back to revisit it from time to time.… Expand
  8. QuatokyTonberry
    Feb 21, 2019
    6
    Gameplay: - Normal
    Story: - Very Bad
    Visual: - Normal
    Music and sound: - Good
    Average time: -6 H
    Score: - 6

See all 33 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
9
#9 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2003
2
#2 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2003