GBAtemp Recommends #93: Castlevania - Aria of Sorrow

Frederica Bernkastel · Jan 8, 2014

Aria of Sorrow is what got me into Castlevania from Metroid, and I have loved (almost) every title I've played since no matter how much pain they've put me through *cough*SotN*cough*. Definitely a recommended title.

GHANMI said:
If anyone is a fan of this game, you can try those other GBA games by Konami, using the same engine:
Shaman King Master of Spirits
Shaman King Master of Spirits 2
Gegege no Kitaro

Also from Konami, Hunter x Hunter Kindan no Hihou (Forbidden Treasure) on the Gameboy Color, a reskin of GBC Castlevania (has lots of Japanese though, no kanji fortunately).

Interesting, I haven't heard of any of these, many thanks for the recommendations.

GHANMI said:
The DS one is easier to hack, but it's my least favorite one.

Mine too, Dawn of Sorrow felt very gimmicky.

Hadrian said:
Order of Ecclesia was considered instead but I recently played this a few months back so everything was fresh.

Would be nice if Konami did more 2D ones, I would love something more in the style of Super Castlevania IV, the chain mechanics were never used again but a third Soma game would be nice.

Definitely, and on a somewhat related topic, Nintendo too with Metroid. That said I've really enjoyed the Lords of Shadow trilogy, it manages to stick to the Castlevania-style while being something very different.
Castlevania really has seen a lot of innovation as far as franchises go, and maybe I'm just a fanboy, but changes like this haven't been anywhere near as disastrous as they have seemed with other series. However, each time I am left wanting more and it seems each niche is forgotten as they move onto the next thing.

tbgtbg · Jan 8, 2014

The only thing about DoS that felt gimmicky to me was when you had to draw those symbols to finish off a boss. Totally just tacked on to be all "look we have a touchscreen!"

Social_Outlaw · Jan 9, 2014

I playing this right now on my silver psp 2000 im already on 34.6, and I just started today!

. I played it on ds also and I LOVED IT!.

GuyInDogSuit · Jan 9, 2014

Yes, I agree, this is a must-play. All of the Castlevania games for the GBA and DS were really good, though Aria of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia are quite noteworthy. OoE will present a nice challenge for those looking for one.

tbgtbg said:
The only thing about DoS that felt gimmicky to me was when you had to draw those symbols to finish off a boss. Totally just tacked on to be all "look we have a touchscreen!"

Yep, that and the anime character art was terrible. It'd be nice if there was a hack to use the Kojima portraits.

MarkDarkness · Jan 9, 2014

Best portable game ever, bar none.

AshuraZro · Jan 9, 2014

Damn it. Now I want another 2D Castlevania.

pilladoll · Jan 9, 2014

I love this game, one of my favorites!

BORTZ · Jan 9, 2014

How do these games never get old. Seriously. Dawn of Sorrow is amazing as well.

Clydefrosch · Jan 9, 2014

i much prefered the ds sequel to be honest. more souls, better graphics obviously, weapon mechanics were refined, more weapons too.
yeah, drawing the seals was a bit unnecessary, but it didnt exactly make the game worse.

Deleted User · Jan 10, 2014

Ha i finished it on my psp the other day!

Sym · Jan 11, 2014

Playing this again on my gcwzero. Love it.

GreatCrippler · Jan 14, 2014

Hadrian said:
The game features Morris and Hugh Baldwin who are decedents of the Belmont family.

Hadn't looked at this in awhile... and it's mostly nitpicking. Decedents of the Belmonts as side characters. Julius Belmont is a side character in Aria.

iggloovortex · Jan 15, 2014

I come back from the dead to say that this game and its sequel Dawn of Sorrow were some of the best Castlevania games I've ever played. The soul system was implemented really well, with a hidden boost given for having more of the same souls

Apex · Jan 18, 2014

Man, I love this game. This, along with the three DS Castlevania games were phenomenal.

GBAtemp Recommends #93: Castlevania - Aria of Sorrow

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