castlevania: Symphony of The night
PLAYSTATION, 1997
Even though Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night was planned as a direct sequel to the PC Engine exclusive, Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood, Konami also intended it to be a fresh start for the popular franchise. Koji ‘Iga’ Igarashi’s game achieved just that, wisely embracing 2D when other developers were experimenting with the third dimension, and creating a whole new subgenre (don’t make us say it) in the process. Even today, it’s easy to see what makes Symphony Of The Night so special. The gigantic castle you explore can be tackled in numerous ways (providing you have the required abilities to reach certain areas, of course) and offers a real sense of progression as you explore the cavernous innards of Dracula’s home. Carefully placed save points ensure that retrying boss fights rarely becomes a frustrating experience, while the increasingly powerful weapons and abilities you pick up further adds to the game’s overall enjoyment.
The 2D visuals, which incorporate some cool 3D elements, hold up tremendously well, while they’re matched by an equally evocative soundtrack that ranks as one of the best in the series. Low sales in the UK have led to PAL copies now selling for extortionate amounts online (especially if they include the CD soundtrack) meaning it’s become the jewel of many owners’ collections. It’s fortunate, then, that this Gothic classic has been resurrected numerous times over the past two decades.