Platform: Game Boy Advance
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Horror
Release: Rated: Teen
Features:
Summary: When I first heard that this game was going to be set in 2035, I thought, "Well, here it goes. Castlevania with lasers." Well, you CAN get a laser (or a photon cannon, more accurately,) but the vast majority of the game stays strictly to the series' roots, and offers a vast amount of innovation not only to 2D gameplay, but to the Castlevania storyline as a whole. I'll write a few blurbs about each element.
Story--gamers find themselves in the role of Soma Cruz, a young exchange student to Japan who finds himself and his friend, Mina, trapped within Castlevania, which itself is trapped in a solar eclipse. I know it sounds far-fetched, to say the least, but trust me, it works. If you can find the final ending of the game, you'll be treated to the greatest twist in the history of Castlevania games.
Gameplay--very tight and solid. The forward dash from Harmony of Dissonance is gone, but Soma gets along fine without it. Soma has the ability to absorb an enemy's power and then use it himself; this opens up almost unlimited gameplay opportunities. Don't worry, though, the system isn't that intimidating; the biggest problem I had with Symphony of the Night was that the inventory was too large and complex for me, a casual gamer. Not so with Aria of Sorrow. There's a large inventory, to be sure, but I've never had to scratch my head over it.
Music--top-notch; the best music to come out on the Game Boy Advance. There's a few Japanese sound bytes thrown in, too, which really helps the atmosphere of the game.
Graphics--detailed and beautiful. Not quite as impressive as Circle of the Moon, but at least you can SEE this game without direct over-head light (I don't have an SP, but I do have a Game Boy Player for my 'Cube.)
In short, Aria of Sorrow is not only my favorite Castlevania game, it's also my favorite Game Boy title. No self-respecting Nintendo fan should be without this game.
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Horror
Release: Rated: Teen
Features:
Summary: When I first heard that this game was going to be set in 2035, I thought, "Well, here it goes. Castlevania with lasers." Well, you CAN get a laser (or a photon cannon, more accurately,) but the vast majority of the game stays strictly to the series' roots, and offers a vast amount of innovation not only to 2D gameplay, but to the Castlevania storyline as a whole. I'll write a few blurbs about each element.
Story--gamers find themselves in the role of Soma Cruz, a young exchange student to Japan who finds himself and his friend, Mina, trapped within Castlevania, which itself is trapped in a solar eclipse. I know it sounds far-fetched, to say the least, but trust me, it works. If you can find the final ending of the game, you'll be treated to the greatest twist in the history of Castlevania games.
Gameplay--very tight and solid. The forward dash from Harmony of Dissonance is gone, but Soma gets along fine without it. Soma has the ability to absorb an enemy's power and then use it himself; this opens up almost unlimited gameplay opportunities. Don't worry, though, the system isn't that intimidating; the biggest problem I had with Symphony of the Night was that the inventory was too large and complex for me, a casual gamer. Not so with Aria of Sorrow. There's a large inventory, to be sure, but I've never had to scratch my head over it.
Music--top-notch; the best music to come out on the Game Boy Advance. There's a few Japanese sound bytes thrown in, too, which really helps the atmosphere of the game.
Graphics--detailed and beautiful. Not quite as impressive as Circle of the Moon, but at least you can SEE this game without direct over-head light (I don't have an SP, but I do have a Game Boy Player for my 'Cube.)
In short, Aria of Sorrow is not only my favorite Castlevania game, it's also my favorite Game Boy title. No self-respecting Nintendo fan should be without this game.