Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Review: The Metroidvania Masterpiece

I'll be honest—I didn't "get" Castlevania: Symphony of the Night the first time I played it. I was expecting a linear action game like the NES Castlevania games. What I got was something completely different, and it took me a while to appreciate it.

Now? It's one of my favorite games of all time. Symphony of the Night is the game that created the term "Metroidvania," and it's still the best example of the genre.

The Inverted Castle Changed Everything

If you've played Symphony of the Night, you know about the inverted castle. If you haven't, I won't spoil it, but it's one of the most brilliant design decisions in gaming history.

The game feels complete after you beat the first castle. You've explored everything, found all the secrets, and defeated the final boss. But then... something happens. And suddenly, you realize you're only halfway done. The castle flips, and everything you knew is turned upside down.

It's not just a gimmick—it's a complete reimagining of the space. Rooms that were easy become challenging. Areas you breezed through become puzzles. It's brilliant.

Alucard is the Perfect Protagonist

Alucard (Dracula backwards, get it?) is one of gaming's best protagonists. He's powerful but not overpowered. He's cool but not edgy. He's the son of Dracula, fighting against his father's legacy. It's a great setup.

His movement feels incredible. The backdash, the double jump, the transformations—everything flows together perfectly. Once you master Alucard's movement, you feel unstoppable.

The RPG Elements Work Perfectly

Symphony of the Night added RPG elements to Castlevania, and it works beautifully. Leveling up feels meaningful. Finding new equipment feels rewarding. The stat system is simple but effective.

The weapon variety is incredible. Swords, shields, throwing weapons, magic—there's something for every playstyle. My personal favorite is the Crissaegrim, but I won't tell you where to find it. That's part of the fun.

The Music is Unforgettable

Michiru Yamane's soundtrack is legendary. "Dracula's Castle" is one of the most iconic video game tracks ever composed. The music perfectly captures the gothic atmosphere while being incredibly catchy.

Every area has its own theme, and they're all memorable. The library theme, the clock tower theme, the inverted castle theme—they're all perfect. I've listened to this soundtrack outside of the game more times than I can count.

The Exploration is Rewarding

Symphony of the Night rewards exploration in the best way. Every secret room feels meaningful. Every new ability opens up new areas. The map completion percentage is addictive—you'll find yourself trying to get that 200.6% completion.

The game doesn't hold your hand. You'll find yourself stuck, wondering where to go next. Then you'll remember that one room you couldn't access before, and you'll go back with your new ability. It's the perfect exploration loop.

Why It's Still the Best Metroidvania

Every Metroidvania game since Symphony of the Night has been compared to it, and most fall short. The game got everything right: the exploration, the combat, the progression, the atmosphere, the music.

Modern Metroidvania games have tried to improve on the formula, but Symphony of the Night's simplicity is part of its charm. It doesn't overcomplicate things. It just works.

For Collectors

Symphony of the Night is essential for PlayStation collectors. The black label version is worth more than the Greatest Hits re-release (black label $300-$500 CIB, Greatest Hits $150-$250 CIB). The game has held its value incredibly well.

The Saturn version has extra content but is much rarer and more expensive. The PlayStation version is the one to get unless you're a hardcore collector.

Final Thoughts

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a masterpiece. It's the game that created a genre and remains the best example of that genre. If you love exploration, RPGs, or just great games, you need to play this.

It's aged beautifully. The 2D sprite work is gorgeous, the music is timeless, and the gameplay is still engaging. This is a game that deserves its legendary status.

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