Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

 Game Boy Advance
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Sep 16, 2002
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Image
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 48 Ratings

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  • Summary: Nearly fifty years has past since Simon Belmont rescued the land from the curse of Dracula. Now, Simon's descendant Juste Belmont, must acquire the relics of Dracula to unravel the disappearance of his childhood friend Lydie. The castle's enchanting mysteries and danger await all those whoNearly fifty years has past since Simon Belmont rescued the land from the curse of Dracula. Now, Simon's descendant Juste Belmont, must acquire the relics of Dracula to unravel the disappearance of his childhood friend Lydie. The castle's enchanting mysteries and danger await all those who dare enter.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. G4 TV
    100
    A title that further refines the portable "Castlevania" lineup to perfection.
  2. GMR Magazine
    100
    One of the best reasons to own a Game Boy Advance. [Feb 2003, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Pocket Games
    95
    If it weren't for the crummy music taking away from the experience, this might be the best 2D Castlevania yet. [Spring 2003, p.26]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. TotalGames.net
    90
    The feeling of satisfaction when everything locks together like a giant jigsaw puzzle is enormous. Despite its flaws, this is a fantastic slice of gaming.
  5. Games Radar
    86
    Thankfully, the whole thing is also infinitely better-lit than previous outing Circle of the Moon, which means that playing it without industrial-strength lighting overhead is now an option. [NGC]
  6. GameSpot
    82
    Boasting better visuals and lots of gameplay, Harmony of Dissonance is not just a fine Castlevania game--it's also one of the better GBA games to come around in a while.
  7. N-Insanity
    58
    Konami really put too much effort into "improving" the graphics engine (and ruined it in the process) while ignoring the other, possibly more important aspects of the game.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Flazzard
    May 2, 2018
    10
    Probably the most fun I've had in a 2D game since Castlevania SotN. This game is filled with content and awesome battles, and the skills youProbably the most fun I've had in a 2D game since Castlevania SotN. This game is filled with content and awesome battles, and the skills you get throughout the game give you a ton of options.
    The castle is massive and has surprisingly good designs, something I don't see this game getting credit for as much as it should be.

    To put it bluntly, this game is nothing short of a masterpiece. 10/10    … Expand
  2. JeffS.
    Jan 17, 2005
    10
    Simply a great game. I've been a die hard fan of the Castlevania series since I was a child. It all started for me, when I played Simons Simply a great game. I've been a die hard fan of the Castlevania series since I was a child. It all started for me, when I played Simons Quest. I fell in love from that point on. I'm thankful to own all the GBA Castlevanias. I look forward to Aria of Sorrow 2 for DS in Fall 2005. As I'm sure many other fans do as well!… Expand
  4. ShayT.
    Apr 14, 2007
    10
    Don't listen to the critics: this game has a great, well designed castle and a whole lot of fun hours to spend. It's not too easy Don't listen to the critics: this game has a great, well designed castle and a whole lot of fun hours to spend. It's not too easy (play Pokemon if you want something maddingly easy) and it's got so much fun packed into it I dare say it is a must own for a GBA owners.… Expand
  5. Moony545
    Nov 8, 2018
    7
    Castlevania - Harmony of Dissonance, клон SotN, как ее многие нарекают. В начале думал, что игра надоест, но нет, было прикольно бегать поCastlevania - Harmony of Dissonance, клон SotN, как ее многие нарекают. В начале думал, что игра надоест, но нет, было прикольно бегать по замку, рубить нечисть и искать всякие секретки, реликты для правильной концовки, апгрейды, я даже мебельную комнату обставил полностью. Также порадовало то что тут имеется кнут, без этого "фирменного" оружия, кастла не воспринимается мной как кастла. Игра понравилась, как по геймплею, так и по визуальному стилю, а вот музыка там какая-то невзрачная.… Expand
  6. Matseb2611
    May 23, 2011
    7
    Harmony of Dissonance is a good game, but compared to Aria of Sorrow it easily falls down in my opinion. The strongest points perhaps are theHarmony of Dissonance is a good game, but compared to Aria of Sorrow it easily falls down in my opinion. The strongest points perhaps are the really atmospheric feel, a pretty good and intense story, and very easy control of the character. The game also introduces a system of collecting elemental spellbooks, which combined with the usual subweapons (cross, holy water, etc) give an entirely different special attack, depending on what book is equipped, giving a diverse gameplay. Similar system is later used in Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. Also the good ol' flexi-whip from Super Castlevania IV is back. You can hold the attack button and to move the whip in all the directions as opposed to only attacking forwards. The story as I mentioned is fantastic, one of the best in a Castlevania game, because it is mysterious and gets the player gripped. The atmospheric feel of the game certainly adds to that. Now where the game falls down. There are some minor issues, which can be annoying at times but aren't so bad. Those are the low difficulty, a strange glowing aura around the playable character, and also being forced to backtrack through entire stages at some points of the game. However what I disliked the most about Harmony of Dissonance was its soundtrack. Castlevania games usually have fantastic soundtracks, but I felt that this one was a real disappointment. I hardly heard any music in it, it was just a low quality noise, unfortunately. In my opinion slightly better than Circle of the Moon, but is nowhere near as good as Aria of Sorrow.… Expand
  7. SimonB.
    May 15, 2006
    7
    The weak link in the GBA trilogy. If you're a big fan, then pick it up, but if you're a casual gamer I'd recommend AoS or The weak link in the GBA trilogy. If you're a big fan, then pick it up, but if you're a casual gamer I'd recommend AoS or CotM. What is most annoying is the convoluted level structure, ease of every enemy in the game (bosses are jokes) and the quality of sound is noticeably worse than in the other titles. The music reminds me a lot of Shining Force on the Genesis, but not as good. It's still a good game to kill some time with, just don't expect the same good quality of CotM or AoS.… Expand
  8. systemjimmy
    Apr 3, 2013
    0
    Very unoriginal, easy and remarkably boring. The worst entry of the GBA era.
    Get Circle of the Moon and Aria of Sorrow instead, they are a    Very unoriginal, easy and remarkably boring. The worst entry of the GBA era.
    Get Circle of the Moon and Aria of Sorrow instead, they are a lot better than this pile of junk.    … Expand

See all 10 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
10
#10 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2002
20
#20 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2002