You certainly stumbled over this term: Metroidvania. This luggage word that eventually became hip and has not been able to be indispensable from the playing landscape. Whether Hollow Knight or Ori, Cave Story or even the celebrated Batman: Arkham Asylum \ – They all have their roots basically thanks to two games. Once the legendary Super Metroid, with the Nintendo 1994 set new standards. And of course Castlevania: Symphony of the Night of Konami, which appeared in 1997 for the Sony Playstation and is celebrated today as a cult game. At the beginning, Symphony of the Night was not a great success at first: the game appeared at a time when 2D platforms were already on the back march, new consoles were just mixed the gaming scene and 3D games were slow but certainly the new Default. But with the time Symphony of the Night spoke around the target group, the ratings were excellent and so it could eventually gather a stately fan base. Since then, it has been austerity guest in countless leaderboards and is considered as a distant game of the entire Castlevania series. For his 25th anniversary, we look at what Symphony of the Night looked so important – and why it is still a true weighting title for every metroidvania fan today.

Table of contents

  1. Page 1Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25 years of cult – retro special
    1. 1.1With a whip started
    2. 1.2Genial entry
    3. 1.3 From a linear we open
    4. 1.4 of Role playing
    5. 1.5Bosse in abundance
  2. Page 2Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25 years of cult – retro special
    1. 2.1Geniale idea: the reverse castle
    2. 2.2 Discover
  3. Page 3Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25 years of cult – retro special
    1. 3.1in would aged
    2. 3.2The (long) heritage of Symphony of the Night
    3. 3.3 many new editions, but no remake
    4. 3.4castlevania and his consequences
  4. Page 4 picture gallery for “25 years Symphony of the Night: The Cult Castlevania in the…

With a whip it started

For a better understanding, we take a look at the late 1980s. Because even then Castlevania was a success story, especially on the NES and the Game Boy had sold the vampire hunters’ saga properly. At the beginning of the 1990s series, the jump on the new 16-bit consoles, the popular Castlevania 4 was one of the most beautiful early premises for the Super Nintendo. Graphically, Castlevania went strongly, but playful the series already stepped on the spot.

One of the last parts in this style was Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, which appeared for PC engine (Turbografx-16) in 1993, in the beginning only in Japan. In the SidesCroller, you play the vampire hunter Richter Belmont, who fights from left to right by linear levels to clain at the end of Count Dracula. That was really good, but just right Classical Castlevania. That also knew Konami, and so they were looking for ways to make the brand modern, accessible and durable. It was decided to continue a sequel to Rondo of Blood, again under the guidance of Toru Hagihara, who already sat on the wheel for its predecessor. Four years later, it was finally so far, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was released for the first PlayStation – and thoroughly put the series on her head.

Ingenious entry

Was it Good? - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

out of linear we open

The most important innovation, which Castlevania should change forever, falls into the eye after a few steps: Symphony of the Night throws the simple level structure of the predecessor games completely overboard. For the first time in the series, you should really explore the castle free and explore in all directions. The times, in which one is solved only from left to right, were over. As soon as you leave a room, the opponents also reserve immediately as you know the genre. Self-sharpening are also a lot of secrets hidden, sometimes behind inconspicuous walls that would tear you with a few hits. Exact search will be rewarded. And of course you have to find a lot of upgrades and skills that you can gradually enter new areas of the castle. Thus, the game suggests clearly close to Nintendos Metroid and Zelda series, where free exploring, persistent equipment and backtracking belonged to the basic equipment.

Learned by role-playing

Bosse in abundance

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The Legendary Symphony of the Night celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. [Source: PC Games]

After some bosses, there’s a new item or an important upgrade as a reward. Some of it is completely optional, but otherwise you need to explore the lock. In addition to the compulsory double jump or the possibility to dive into waters, Alucard also learns to transform into a bat. Only in this figure can you finally explore all the highly located areas of the game world and collect all the tempting treasures that could only be marched by before. This also makes the scan of previous areas for pleasure – just as it belongs to a good Metroidvania.

Page 1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25 years of cult – retro special

Page 2 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25 years of cult – retro special

Page 3 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night: 25 years of cult – retro special

4 picture gallery to 25 years Symphony of the Night: The Kult Castlevania in retrospect

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