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 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 218 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: 47 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
  1. 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
  2. RidleayRomero
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    I love Aria of Sorrow. The game is so much fun to go through that it's almost impossible to get everything in just one single run of the game.I love Aria of Sorrow. The game is so much fun to go through that it's almost impossible to get everything in just one single run of the game. Great music, great gameplay, great boss fights. The game is practically flawless.… Expand
  4. RobertB.
    Aug 12, 2003
    10
    Aria of Sorrow is one of my favorite games on the GBA because you can get a bunch of abilities through souls from monsters you defeat, the Aria of Sorrow is one of my favorite games on the GBA because you can get a bunch of abilities through souls from monsters you defeat, the graphics are better than HOD, and it's real fun to play. AOS overall is fun game that you'll keep playing for years on end. … Expand
  5. Darkspawn677
    May 17, 2022
    10
    Castlevania aria of sorrow is amazing i already beat the game but i think soma cruz should be a good guy he should be like broly and doomsdayCastlevania aria of sorrow is amazing i already beat the game but i think soma cruz should be a good guy he should be like broly and doomsday more of dracula powers he should help genya arikado and alucard the game should be like devil may cry and van helsing… Expand
  6. eazyye
    Feb 27, 2021
    9
    o game é muito bom , melhores 10 horas gastas no gba a historia nao é tao complexa mas tem uns plot legais , tem muitas armas e habilidadeso game é muito bom , melhores 10 horas gastas no gba a historia nao é tao complexa mas tem uns plot legais , tem muitas armas e habilidades foi uma das melhores se não a melhor experiencia que eu tive no gba eu concerteza vou zerar uma segunda vez mas eu achei a trilha sonora meio méh é melhor doque as dos 2 outros Castlevanias do gba mas acho que fico repetitivo no meio do jogo… Expand
  7. ylnylmn
    Aug 7, 2021
    9
    I can say that I like it more than SOTN. Level design, items, gaining abilities when killing enemies,balance of difficulty, boss fights,I can say that I like it more than SOTN. Level design, items, gaining abilities when killing enemies,balance of difficulty, boss fights, dialogues between characters, the value of the money we collect. In many ways I liked it better than SOTN. The playing time was pretty good too. Not as long as SOTN. I was bored at the reverse castle in SOTN. But I was not bored in Aria. The soundtracks and voiceovers were very good at SOTN. And SOTN was the forerunner of metroidvania. Aria has been a beautiful metroidvania thanks to SOTN.. So I rate Aria and SOTN equally. By the way, you have a way to hell Medusa head!!… 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 48 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