Review: Castlevania - Dawn of Sorrow [Nintendo DS]

Dawn of Sorrow is the follow up to the great GBA Castlevania game Aria of Sorrow. Once again you step back into the shoes of Soma Cruz, a white haired Japanese boy who is the reincarnation of Dracula. It has your typical Castlevania story line, but it is still a great game and a even greater addition to the Castlevania series.

Graphics: 90/100
Dawn of Sorrow has beautifully done 2D graphics with 3D mixed in here and there. Most of us here at Contraptica relish the days of awesome 2D games and this game satisfies that need. The animations are top notch and fluid and the special effects thrown in are neither intrusive nor boring, you’ll be quite satisfied with whats on your screens.

Though my own personal gripe is how effeminate the Castlevania protagonists have become… gone is the day of the barbarian style Belmont for a hero who probly cares more about their complexion and what conditioner they use in their hair…

Sound: 100/100
Even with the limitations of the media that DS games are stored on, music has come along way for portable gaming devices. Castlevania has had some of the best music to grace any console it’s been on, it’s that the composer is just that good at what they do. Not being on a CD, you still get almost CD quality music as you traverse yet another incarnation of Lord Dracula’s castle. The sound effects are clean, loud and fun.

Gameplay: 80/100
I love Castlevania, but it has not changed much since SOTN, not saying that is a bad thing. It is just the lack if any real innovation to the title since Aria of Sorrow that takes it down a notch. The use of the touch screen seemed rather last minute as I didn’t find the seals to add any real value to the game though the relic that allowed you to use the stylus to break the ice blocks was a nice touch. Otherwise this game plays like any of the other Metroidvania style Castlevania games.

Replay: 85/100
There is a lot to do in this game so you’ll find yourself searching for secret passages and that last health and magic up. It also features a Battle Arena mode once you beat the game and unlockable characters including Alucard and Yoko with their own unique ways of doing things.

Overall, It’s a lot like SOTN and I do believe it will hold up to the test of time like it has. It is a must have DS title.