GBA · Classic Vidya Review
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Completed 21 Dec 2022
Still Holds Up
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Cover Art
Ending Screen
- This game is truly incredible, and one of the best games I’ve played on any platform in a long time. It seems like Konami were experts at developing for the GBA at this point, since this is the third entry in the series
- There is literally nothing to complain about. Everything is perfect. Especially, as always, the music.
- I haven’t played enough Castlevania games to know where this one sits difficulty-wise, but it’s definitely harder than SotN and easier than the original on NES.
- Not entirely sure how they pulled this off, but it really seems like even though there’s a “leveling” system, it’s not easy to just grind your way out of your problems. Plenty of bosses are still really hard (the “Death” fight is really, really brutal)
- Replay value on this is huge, and I just might do it. After getting the “good” ending (pictured) once, you have the option to play in “Julius Mode,” which allows you to go through the entire game again, this time as a Belmont. (the first run through is a character who is played Alucard-style, where you’re collecting powers and equipping items and such)
- There is also a ‘Pokemon-like’ element to this game where you’re incentivized to collect as many enemy souls (thus absorbing their power) as possible. There’s even a reward for getting all of them.