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PRE-GAME

Unbeknownst to mankind, a battle to ensure our existence was fought in 1999. Dracula, Lord of the vampires, meet his end at the hands yet another Belemont group.  The dark lord was sealed in his castle, and hidden from those who would seek him out.

30 years later, at a shrine on the outskirts of Tokyo, Dracula’s castle has reappeared. Several strangers a drawn towards it. Some seek to destroy the castle, others to reap it’s powers. Soma Cruz, a college freshman, finds himself caught in the middle, gaining mysterious new abilities, and forced to take a side in the new battle that’s is rising. What role will Soma play, and why is a college student such a key player in the war between the living and the dead?

EYE-SPY

THE HOOK: One of gaming’s most revered and longest running franchises returns on Nintendo’s Gameboy Advance, pushing the handheld console to it’s limits with eye-popping visuals, a rich soundtrack, and a well developed storyline. The game also has several ties to the PS1 classic “Symphony of the Night”, and is produced by many of the same people behind the game mentioned above.

HOW IT LOOKS AND FEELS: Castlevania:AoS is definitely in a league of it’s own when it comes to the visuals. Why it may not be as sharp as some of the current GBA titles, they all lack the rich gothic visuals and designs Aria of Sorrow offers. The game’s visuals are fresh enough to please long time Castlevania fans and to draw in new ones. Even taking the risk of modernizing the franchise (this is the first installment of the series to take place within 100 years of our lifetime), has paid off for Konami. Soma, his allies and his enemies are all well designed, and will range from classy, to gothic, to just plains bizarre. Many of the franchise’s well-known monsters return to haunt Soma, as well as new breeds to haunt your dreams.

The GBA’s control layout fits the game like a velvet glove. The D-pd moves Soma, the A and B buttons control Soma’s attacks and jumps, while the L and R shoulder buttons are used for various special techniques you’ll acquire during the game. Other special moves only require pressing a combination of two buttons, with the occasional ability that will require you to charge the attack by holding the buttons for several seconds. These simplistic and powerful attacks only enhance the game, making all the better. Both the visuals and controls take what little the GBA can offer and make it work to the best of it’s abilities.

HOW IT SOUNDS: From a man who’s willing to give up a limb (or make several virgin sacrifices) for a copy of the Japanese “Symphony of the Night” soundtrack, I’m proud to say that it’s GBA counterpart delivers as well. Limited by technology, the game still offers a rich and varied soundtrack, going from classical music one second, to adrenaline pumping guitar solo. Why it’s not the franchise has offer, it’s still something worth nothing.

There’s little to no voice work offered in this game, except for the random sound effects made by certain characters when they attack, take damage, or finish a conversation. Purists may want to take note that Konami has left the original Japanese “voices” in tact, so they having nothing to fear in the sound department. Overall, AoS possess a total sound package most games on the GBA would be jealous of.

EXTRAS: A mini-game, where you fight all the game’s bosses back to back, is unlockable once you beat the game, and Julius, a Belement who makes his first appearance in this game.

CINEMATIC EXPERIENCE: If you’ve played Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, you’re probably under the impression that near PS2 visuals are possible when it comes to the cinematic of GBA games. Well keep on playing that game, because the only thing your going to that can be consider cinemas in this game are picture of the characters faces popping up on the screen as they talk to one another.

BEST CHARACTER  Soma Cruz, who does look like a girl, edges out one of the weaker Belemonts. Simon’s rolling in his grave.

CHEAT CODE YOU NEED: Beat the game and put Julius as your name. You’ll play as said Belemont.

CHEAT CODE YOU WANT: Seeing how one of the coolest characters ever to grace a Castlevania appears throughout this game, how about letting us unlock him?

OH MAN! MOMENT: As if fighting Death wasn’t bad enough, try fighting the game’s TRUE final boss (which can only be done with all 3 secret books)

GLITCH ITCH: None, this game is flawless in that department.

FAN SERVICE: While all the pretty pretty people in this game makes it’s easy on the eyes of both guy and gal players, this game offers a brand new Belemont for Castlevania faithful to praise, as well as a returning hero from another installment. Who it is, I’m not going to reveal in hope you’ll go out and buy it and be as amazed as I was when I figured it out.

END GAME:

To this day, it baffles me how Castlevania, one the greatest videogame series ever to grace a console, has not achieve the ranks of fandom such franchises like Final Fantasy and Zelda have. Despite some weak installment here and there (see any of the N64 games) Castlevania is still a top notch series and should be recognize as one.

That being said, it’s my honor to exclaim about how awesome this installment is. With out a doubt, this is one of the best handheld games I’ve ever played, Castlevania:Aria of Sorrow does the franchise proud.

Like any other game in the series, your goals are clear. Find some cool artifacts, fight creepy monsters, and then Dracula himself. However, the big twist is that this time around there is no Dracula to fight. Nope. The big D isn’t an enemy this time around. That’s not saying he isn’t present at all (this will make a lot of sense should you actually play the game), but you won’t be fighting him come the end of the game.

If the lack of Drac wasn’t enough to intrigue you, then maybe the new Soul system will. Unlike any of previous heroes in the franchise, Soma can equipt the different souls of various monster he’s slain through out the game and use them. No two souls are the same, so at various points at the game, expect to be able to walk on water, shoot lasers and turn into a multi-arm beast all with the push of a button should you need to. Why Soma is able to do this is a mystery, and will be revealed towards the games end.

Speaking of mysteries, this game is full of them, which makes the plot all the more intriguing. Unlike the heroic Belemonts or Dracula’s son Alucard of Castlevania’s past, Soma has no interest in the monster slaying business. He doesn’t know why he’s drawn into the castle, nor how he now has  control over the souls of the castle’s residents, but the answers will both delight and suprise you. Also, seeing how the only cast member familiar to you is a girl who got drawn into the castle with you and life depends on your success, you’ll probably want to know why the other several cast members are doing there in first place.  Each of them have their own separate reasons, and seeing how one of them is a returning hero from a previous installment in disguise, this only adds more to an already well developed plot.

Although limited to the power of the GBA, Castlevania:AoS is a must play. A direct sequel to it is being developed for the DS, and should be available by this fall. This is a must play for all Castelvania fans, or just for people who appreciate good games. A bit dated yes, but seeing how it’s only rivaled by Nintendo’s own Metroid franchise in terms of, well everything, it’s worth your time and money.

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