Got it when it came out in the green-spine Greatest Hits series for $20, loved it, and haven't stopped playing it since. Definitely a desert-island top-10 pick.
In the inverted castle, there's an enemy in the library called the "schmoo", keep killing one till it drops one of the best weapons in the game: the crisaggream.
@@elleCX01 - That one, too. Lesser demons spawn like crazy in the inverted alchemy rooms, so there's a higher chance of getting the holbein dagger from slaying all of them.
Yep, Castlevania is actually one of my favorite games of all time. It's at least in my top 5. I also bought it for my phone but man, the Touchscreen controller is so hard to use so I just gave up playing it on mobile
Little known thing about the Sword familiar, at a certain point leveling it up, it'll become an equipable item and it's quite strong. And it gets stronger leveling it to 99
I believe the most powerful weapon is to equipping the Alucard shield, and shield rod. When done correctly, it will combine all the shields abilities all-in-one! U will be invincible, gain energy and more. Depending how much magic he had and your abilities. All in all the game was a masterpiece! And for those of you that had a surround sound system, thundering subwoofers, 5.1 surround, 6.1 surround, play 42 band equalizer where you can adjust the frequency response to hear the low end bas subsonic, pretty much Taylor the sound to your desire! Words can't describe how magnificent the three dimensional sounds... And this includes every single game console!
Classic! My favorite thing about the castle is how it feels like a real place. Like, I can imagine each section as a real room in an ungodly big mansion. Not a lot of metroidvanias do that, instead often feeling like loosely connected biomes.
@@lh9591I mean, fusion was very intentionally designed to be linear and not have the same structure of previous games. The linearity works specifically for the atmosphere and narrative the game was going for. I get if you prefer other games in the series, I do too, but those things are important parts of how the game is designed, not mistakes, so fusion isn't a good game to demonstrate your point.
Yeah I played this for the first time I think it was 2013. Was very impressed with it! Also I had already played all the gba and ds castevanias. So this being the first one and so good, really wowed me
I first got a PS1 with this game in 1998... the first game that made me see how good gaming could be(I had a SNES with simple games like mario and fighting games) ... I was a really small child at the time; still I beat it and discovered the inverted castle. When I told people at school they didn't believe me and the next day: they were all like: "thank you so much".
The first time I played this game was from Dracula X Chronicles on PSP. After I unlocked the game it was very hard to go back to Rondo of Blood, but I didn’t mind at all. My first Metroid-vania was Aria of Sorrow so it was nice to see how Castlevania started evolving from there.
@@Haywood-Jablomie more like copied many of the ideas like a "true" ending unlocked only doing some cryptic things, unlocking secondary characters, even had many of the same weapons and inventory. I liked them all, but SotN was lightning in a bottle, never thought the GBA or DS games were ever quite as good as this game, but they were still pretty good.
Wouldn’t say improve. All following games focused on particular systems. SOTN did not do this. Familiars, spells, special attacks with certain items, Shield rob, way more secrets and Easter eggs than any handheld games. Many sprites were even ripped for this game. None had better graphics because they were scaled down handhelds.
@@thomasbeall9069 yeah, I don't think the portables ever came close to matching SotN. I did like the plot twist in Aria of Sorrow and how it took Castlevania in a new direction with a new main character Soma Cruz for a couple of games. But SotN is the standard for Castlevania games and still to this day has to be in any conversation of greatest Metroidvanias of all time.
As a child, i always wanted to play this game. I got the chance many years later and i never imagined i would be completing it 200.6% multiple times. Never getting tired of it.
*"What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!"* But enough talk! Another great review here, Pam! *Played and finished this game in 100% completion back in the summer of '98.* Nothing but good memories. ❤
@Nat20 Damage 200.6%. That last secret room in the clock tower was so frustrating, yet so satisfying when I got it. I just wish I still had that save file somewhere.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I’ve had this downloaded on my ps4 for more then a year. Just hadn’t gotten around to playing it. Almost forgot I had it. Thanks for reminding me Pam. I’m gonna start playing it this weekend. Symphony of the Night awaits!
@@davezanko9051 I remember getting that final 0.1% needed for the 200.6% completion and it ended up being the tiniest corner in a room already fully explored! Still such a great game though!
One of the most revered games of all time and it brings me so much happiness to see that you enjoyed this game as so many others have. Love your approach to this review with your attire, darker makeup, and a glass of wine to match the gothic theme. Your appreciation and attention to detail in video games is always a breath of fresh air compared to other UA-camr reviews(lol I wrote this just before you mention it at 11:00). Thank you for gracing us with this great review during the month of October!
@@Cannotbetamed1 I was waiting for the line, "What is a man?" and you throwing your wine glass at 1:17. That would have been awesome, but a waste of good wine.
@@Cannotbetamed1 I’m going to have to recommend it again, I will every year. The Historian, by Elisabeth Kostova. It is the law, the burning leaves smell and fog. Ooooooohh! Spooooky.
Brilliant video, put together with love and care and the game deserved a quality and honest review and you did it justice. Thank god you cannot be tamed.
This game was the reason I bought a Playstation. It was October 24, 1997, a Friday, and my best friend walked home with me after school. It started snowing rather intensely, in what would turn out to be a historic blizzard. It was unsafe to drive, so they stayed the night and we watched movies. The next morning, we decided to go get a PSX and SotN... but first we had to dig out a path to the nearest driveable road. We shoveled nonstop for 5 hours, and then very, very carefully drove a perilous path to a nearby store which was, surprisingly, not closed. Then, prize in hand, we went back into the deep dark depths of the unfinished basement and played... passing the controller back and forth upon each death. We didn't see sunlight again until days later when the castle, and the snow, had been banished. ... and it still holds up surprisingly well today. Most other games of the time are pretty bad now, especially the early 3D titles, but SotN is kind of timeless.
Played Symphony of the Night for the first time this year and absolutely loved it! Visuals, atmosphere, exploration, soundtrack all amazing. Stumbled into the bad ending and instantly wanted to figure out how to actually beat the game. So far I’ve been having trouble getting to the inverted castle without guides. It’s little obtuse things like this that keep Metroid as my preferred side of the Metroidvania spectrum.
One of the best two dimensional non linear action adventure map based platform games there is! And the boss battles are really impressive in this one, I love the ball of bodies!
My fav thing about this video is that you came back to this game after all these years, having never really gotten into it during it's prime! Really shows how it held up over the years! Great video as always. This is easily in my top 10 favorite games!
I remember getting this for my birthday the year it came out. I just moved and didn't have many friends, so Alucard and I spent a LOT of time together.
@Tom Ffrench yeah, I just view it as two genres, the Metroidvania and the OG action platformer for Castlevania. Metroid has a similar issue in the Metroidvania is the OG games, but the FPS adventure games were the Prime series. Other M is sort of a 2.5 D mix of the two.
Back in the day we were peeling layers from the mansion with no real central place on the internet to discuss it. Was awesome just discussing it and figuring it out.
Oh my God this game!!! One of the 2 amazing games that created the term "metroidvania". I loved it. I have to note one thing here. Playing Dark Souls 1 and 3 recently, it kind of gave me the same sense Symphony of the Night did. Castlevania Symphony of the Night is surely one of the best games for the original PlayStation and one of the best games ever made. It has aged like fine wine over the years thanks to it's incredibly good pixel art, engaging gameplay, unbelievable soundtrack an innovative design for a Castlevania game. One of the best games ever. Thank you Pam for bringing it into attention for the newer players. Great review! (Trivia: Map exploration rating goes beyond 200%,.In the Saturn version you can also play as Maria Renard and Richter Belmont from the beginning of the game. Symphony of the Night is a direct sequel to Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (released in Japan) for the NEC - PC Engine CD, which is also a great game with great attention to detail and super impressive soundtrack, considered by many the best classic Castlevania game)
The Souls games along with Bloodborne are probably the closest we're going to get to a 3D Symphony of the Night. The exploration and atmosphere are definitely there.
The time, effort and energy that you put into each video us beyond me. Down to the smallest detail is great! This definitely one of my favorites to play.
Great job on how you put the video together with the music. It’s been over two decades since I last played it. Thanks for bringing back many great memories from 1997…
If you can, try to find an original version for it. Ever since they remade it for newer consoles they updated the voice dialouge which is inferior to the original voices IMO
The OG Metroidvania. I always get my Castlevania on in the month of October. Shoutout to Interview with a Vampire. I highly recommend Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen as well! Like an retro-vampire Zelda with great writing/voice-acting. 👍
OG is 1986 Metroid or 1988 Castlevania 2 Simon's Quest, but this game is up there with one of the most refined and inventive games in the genre, along with Super Metroid.
Metroid is Metroidvania minus the “vania”, Simons Quest is Metroidvania minus the Metroid. SotN combined elements of both and is often considered the OG for that reason.
@Tom Ffrench Duck Tales was more like an action platformer. It requires you to nail jumps or instant death. Metroidvanias generally don't feature that as falling down a pit usually means a new area to explore.
SoTN is the only non Mario or LoZ game that my wife ever beat 100%. She's still way better at it than me haha, it's definitely the best Castlevania in my opinion.
It was great and laid down the formula. I might argue that Dawn of Sorrow is better but SOTN is a landmark. The only Vania I would put over it is Super Vania IV
I had this game for the Saturn back in the day. I never played it much. I found a port for the Xbox 360 and downloaded it for the series x. I haven’t stopped playing it.
I'm 40 also , and the SOTN, is one of my top 5, so many memories and good time. My #1 game is Bloodborne, Bloodborne is the game Miyazaki literally went inside my head and take everything I wanted as a game and created.
I'm almost 48 and never played any of them, probably won't have time to play them properly until I'm around 55. I've always known of them since the 80's but never got around to them because I used systems that they were never truly developed for.
For some reason, the Sega Saturn port actually gives Alucard a "third hand" to put one time use items on. Since the Saturn version wasn't made by the main Castlevania team (and then-producer Koji Igarashi wasn't fond of it), it's likely why the third hand option never appeared in the later ports.
Oh Pam. You really hit the nostalgia nerve with this one. The latter years of highschool for me was playing this gem, among others on the PS. The art is just something to behold. It's such a shame that the trend at the time with that tech were 3D games. I seriously feel that 32 bit 2D games didn't get their moment. Oh well, after watching this video I feel like playing SOTN with a nice glass sangria now.
I sat and watched my mate play this , each night he’d pop round and progress. I recall thinking we were nearing the end and he found some glasses and accessed the upside down castle
The inventory concern you brought up is partly solved in the Saturn version, you can equip single use items to the L Trigger. I wish they implemented this in the later versions with the couple of other Saturn additions. Alas, it was not to be so.
But Saturn has a loading pause before and after opening the main menu, and the map can only be viewed from the main menu. So depending on how you set up your emulator, it can be even more of a chore.
@@clessili This is no longer relevant. There are several patches that fix the problem with loading the pause menu and calling the map. For example, this one: ua-cam.com/video/kfRD7AfcSHU/v-deo.html
7:00 Don't forget the gravity boots in the gigantic clock area in the middle of Marble Gallery-with bat go straight up, to use down, up, X/A. Hit triangle/Y to bring up a organize tab, I go shield, 2 handed, short, sword2, sword, mace, offense, items, then food, then pots.
For what would be the first of many "Metroidvania" games, SOTN is a classic that holds up till this day. I've played many versions of the game, and I do enjoy them. I do wish IGA had recreated his own versions of the 2 new rooms, enemies and items for the PSP/PS4 that were released on the Saturn version. I could understand him not wanting to use those Saturn additions because they were design by a different team and he considers them inferior and not unifying with the rest of the game's aesthetics and looked out of place. But it would have made for the ultimate edition.
Back in the days, this game blew my mind. Because the game was like Super Mario World: another world opens when you think you are finished with the final boss. The bosses alone are topnotch, with the soundtrack it is one of the best metroidvania's, I rank this highly as you do together with Hollow Knight. ;)
Ohh this brings back memories. Friend of mine showed it to me on his PS1, I borrowed and played it to completion on an emulator. Way back in 2000. Later I bought it on the PSP with the Rondo of Blood remake. I must have played it from start to finish about 5 times.
Cannot be tamed is the best. no bro-fest fake hype, 2-min unnecessary intros, or over the top nauseating video edits. Just classic gaming love, honest, pure fandom. Thanks for keeping the real hobby community alive with these excellent videos!
Now this is music to my ears as I’m in a Castlevania kick at the moment. SoTN is crazy expensive but it’s one of those titles I’ll be getting before the year is out.
Could get it cheap as a download on Xbox or PS4, I really wish the Castlevania Requiem on PS4 had a physical copy though as it has SotN and also has Dracula X Rondo of Blood PC Engine version, which never got a physical release in the US. Well unless you count the PSP remake which could unlock the original game. SotN is my fave exploration based Castlevania, Rondo of Blood is my favorite traditional action platformer Castlevania. Wish there was a physical copy of that two game collection.
@@TheGebs24 yeah, I have a physical copy (which I am NEVER selling) and I have purchased it on Xbox and PS4 as downloads to get all acheivements and trophys, but never got the full complete map, there is a trick to do it, I never bothered with. Its just one of those games I will revisit forever.
This is definitely the best Castlevania game ever made I love the whole game from beginning to end also it's a nice touch to play the game with the castle upside down
This is a classsic 90s game on the Sony playstation 1. talk about nostalgia. I remember buying the walkthrough book at blockbuster video to get through the levels
Love this game a lot, and I felt so happy playing Bloodstained since that game carries the same DNA with some interesting twists. Great job on the video! Hope you'll do Ecclessia someday.
The 8 bit bloodstained games are great. I couldn't even get into the 3d one enough to finish it more than one time and I didn't even finish everyrhing.
Very nice review as always Pam! I love that outfit and your makeup you chose for this video, very beautiful and classy with the glass of wine as well. SotN is just a fantasic game that I did discover early on when my friend who recommended the game to me gave me a copy of the ps1 game for my birthday. I do enjoy the later ports (even though that changed the voice acting) and added Maria as a playable character as well. I too enjoyed exploring every inch of both castles and felt very satisfied when opting to take on the strongest (But optional) boss in the game: Galamoth and winning that tough battle. I hope after watching this video, more gamers do play this game and enjoy what it has to offer because it does have the best strong points in a video game, with some minor nitpicks but nothing that ruins the experience. Im glad you gave this one another go and fully enjoyed your time with it 🙂
Yeah, he can be a bit tricky, even at a high level. I dont remember what level i was back then but I do recall having the following handy for the battle: Resist thunder items, plenty of healing items, and the Crissagrim weapon
Yes I just played all the way through it for the third time. The first two times I played through on PlayStation 1. And then I've had it on Series x for several years now but never got around to playing it. But I play through it last week and the amazing thing is the game held up so well that it was just as fun and just as amazing as it was when I played it back on PlayStation 1.
In my opinion, Super Castlevania IV was the best of the saga. I had it in the 90's and I sold it when I got my Playstation 1. It was one of the most stupid things I ever did.
If you consider yourself a gamer, then you should. This game is one of the last side scrolling games ever made. Not only that, but you could go back into areas that you had already passed. If you’re an old school gamer, you would know that games would not allow you to return to areas previously passed on early game consoles.
SotN is one of the best 2d exploration action adventures, probably my favorite too. I still find myself wanting to play it sometimes, for the 7th time. Aria of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia are both amazing SotN successors, for those interested in a new metrovania experience.
Great review Pam. I always play Castlevania SOTN when I have the free time. How about reviewing Akumajou Dracula X Chi No Rondo (Castlevania Rondo of Blood)? The game that started Castlevania SOTN.
"Red, red wine... stay close to me, don't let me be alone, it's tearing apart my blue blue heart." I remember seeing Alucard very elegant compared to other vampire killers; also discovered the Dark Metamorphosis just by moving back and forth without having any clue about it, later on I realized you can unlock these magics since the beginning, and that they are registered in the menu . I didn't like entirely the Coyote-Wolf shape (I wanted something more aggressive), but I keep great memories of the game in the overall. I cannot believe SOTN is that old. Cheers!
I've heard the genre referred to as "search action" and thought that was pretty good. If you like SOTN, def check out the Castlevania GBA Collection on Switch (the DS games are probably my favorites in the series though).
to be honest while this castlevania has one of the best sound track ever made in video game history imo, the FIRST castlevania had a perfect soundtrack, I love every single one of them and it's a NES game.. rare are the games that kept their musics from the NES era honestly, castlevania is one of them because it was THAT good
One of the first games I ever played, and it ruined my life. The dialogue is ingrained into my DNA. I'll be at Starbucks trying to order and say, "Ah ha ha ha haaaa.. Alucard, I'd like a venti mocha" Me and my wife will be arguing and I'll say "your words are as empty as your soul!" When I go play rec league basketball, I always say "but enough talk! Have at you!" right before the game starts.
Some people complained about Death taking your equipment away at the beginning, but like seriously, what are they expecting? To go through the game one-shotting everything? Where's the challenge in that? The way I see it, is that it shows the potential for what Alucard can do, and like you said, gives you something to work toward. I also enjoy the low HP pool early which reflects that Alucard has just awoken from his slumber, so of course he won't be at full strength. Also, the way in which Alucard interacts with the environment, and even walks, is so elegant, and I haven't really seen it replicated again since. I'm glad you enjoyed the game. Thanks for the review.
"What IS a *man*?! ...a miserable pile of secrets!" *Smash glass* "BUT ENOUGH TALK!! HAVE AT YOU!!!!"
Greatest game ever made by humans.
How do you know it was made by humans?
Nope. It's made by bloodsuckers.
It's complete 🗑
I disagree. Fallout New Vegas is the greatest game ever made
@@Jew_Gi_Oh Nah. Not even the best Fallout.
Goth Pam is an instant click. And SOTN is such a masterpiece that I have to watch.
That thumbnail tho…
I'm a little surprised you didn't begin with "I'm a simple man..."
I love Pam's Goth drip.
Thirsty
I won’t lie, you are pretty much correct.
Speaking about the soundtrack, there's a secret bonus track you can listen to if you put the game disk in a regular CD player.
"As you can see, this is a PlayStation black disc..." -Alucard: ua-cam.com/video/QeM7paJ17YM/v-deo.html
The other tracks contain data so dont play them... but you probably wont listen to me anyway
will you?
a lot of PS 1 games had hidden music tracks too.
The first time I played this game was 15+ years after it came out and it was still one of the best games I had/have ever played.
Got it when it came out in the green-spine Greatest Hits series for $20, loved it, and haven't stopped playing it since. Definitely a desert-island top-10 pick.
just bought it on ps5's spring sale for 3 dollars and i am finally accepting that i need sleep at 5 am with the castle inverted. i love it.
In the inverted castle, there's an enemy in the library called the "schmoo", keep killing one till it drops one of the best weapons in the game: the crisaggream.
Yes!!
It’s so damn satisfying to shred enemies with the Crissaegrim!
@@newavejunkie especially when you get 2!
Or... you can get the hobein dagger from the Lesser Demons instead for a budget crissaegrim
@@elleCX01 - That one, too. Lesser demons spawn like crazy in the inverted alchemy rooms, so there's a higher chance of getting the holbein dagger from slaying all of them.
The greatest Castlevania ever. No matter what's going on in my life, I always find time to revisit this game. I even have it on both my phones.
You need 2 phones? Lol 😆👍
Yep, Castlevania is actually one of my favorite games of all time. It's at least in my top 5. I also bought it for my phone but man, the Touchscreen controller is so hard to use so I just gave up playing it on mobile
How is the mobile port? Are you able to use a controller with it?
@@agreedboarart3188 if their is a way, I couldn't find how to use it..and the Touchscreen controls made the game unplayable for me
@@ZamWeazle yeah dude, battery life is a b****!
Little known thing about the Sword familiar, at a certain point leveling it up, it'll become an equipable item and it's quite strong. And it gets stronger leveling it to 99
Not to mention the super powerful Sword Brothers spell....
I believe the most powerful weapon is to equipping the Alucard shield, and shield rod. When done correctly, it will combine all the shields abilities all-in-one! U will be invincible, gain energy and more. Depending how much magic he had and your abilities. All in all the game was a masterpiece! And for those of you that had a surround sound system, thundering subwoofers, 5.1 surround, 6.1 surround, play 42 band equalizer where you can adjust the frequency response to hear the low end bas subsonic, pretty much Taylor the sound to your desire! Words can't describe how magnificent the three dimensional sounds...
And this includes every single game console!
Classic! My favorite thing about the castle is how it feels like a real place. Like, I can imagine each section as a real room in an ungodly big mansion. Not a lot of metroidvanias do that, instead often feeling like loosely connected biomes.
Yes! It’s more cohesive than other games like this for sure.
And in some cases, literal manufactured biomes, like in Metroid Fusion.
Doesn’t have that fluid connectivity like Super Metroid.
@@lh9591I mean, fusion was very intentionally designed to be linear and not have the same structure of previous games. The linearity works specifically for the atmosphere and narrative the game was going for.
I get if you prefer other games in the series, I do too, but those things are important parts of how the game is designed, not mistakes, so fusion isn't a good game to demonstrate your point.
It's kinda amazing how good this pixel art still looks and animates today.
Yeah I played this for the first time I think it was 2013. Was very impressed with it! Also I had already played all the gba and ds castevanias. So this being the first one and so good, really wowed me
I absolutely love that outfit! This game is too effin awesome. The music, finding items, boss fights...the spells it just can't get much more perfect
Pam is beautifully dressed and you know what that means.... VAMPIRES!
She can bite me anytime
Teal'c: "Indeed"
@@makaveli4205 What makes you think she hasn’t!!!
All hail Count Von Pamula.
I first got a PS1 with this game in 1998... the first game that made me see how good gaming could be(I had a SNES with simple games like mario and fighting games) ... I was a really small child at the time; still I beat it and discovered the inverted castle. When I told people at school they didn't believe me and the next day: they were all like: "thank you so much".
The first time I played this game was from Dracula X Chronicles on PSP. After I unlocked the game it was very hard to go back to Rondo of Blood, but I didn’t mind at all. My first Metroid-vania was Aria of Sorrow so it was nice to see how Castlevania started evolving from there.
Literally one of my absolute faves. I replay it annually and Michiru Yamane’s score is just *chef’s kiss* Thanks for giving the game some love.
That light from the wine glass is hypnotizing.
Great rpg elements , great item system , and possibly the greatest soundtrack of all time
I prefer the GBA and DS games because most of them expanded and improved on this game. But SOTN is still super great
@@Haywood-Jablomie more like copied many of the ideas like a "true" ending unlocked only doing some cryptic things, unlocking secondary characters, even had many of the same weapons and inventory. I liked them all, but SotN was lightning in a bottle, never thought the GBA or DS games were ever quite as good as this game, but they were still pretty good.
Wouldn’t say improve. All following games focused on particular systems. SOTN did not do this. Familiars, spells, special attacks with certain items, Shield rob, way more secrets and Easter eggs than any handheld games. Many sprites were even ripped for this game. None had better graphics because they were scaled down handhelds.
@@thomasbeall9069 yeah, I don't think the portables ever came close to matching SotN. I did like the plot twist in Aria of Sorrow and how it took Castlevania in a new direction with a new main character Soma Cruz for a couple of games. But SotN is the standard for Castlevania games and still to this day has to be in any conversation of greatest Metroidvanias of all time.
As a child, i always wanted to play this game. I got the chance many years later and i never imagined i would be completing it 200.6% multiple times. Never getting tired of it.
*"What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!"*
But enough talk! Another great review here, Pam!
*Played and finished this game in 100% completion back in the summer of '98.*
Nothing but good memories. ❤
@Nat20 Damage 200.6%. That last secret room in the clock tower was so frustrating, yet so satisfying when I got it. I just wish I still had that save file somewhere.
Thanks!
@@Cannotbetamed1 I’ve had this downloaded on my ps4 for more then a year. Just hadn’t gotten around to playing it. Almost forgot I had it. Thanks for reminding me Pam. I’m gonna start playing it this weekend. Symphony of the Night awaits!
@@davezanko9051 I remember getting that final 0.1% needed for the 200.6% completion and it ended up being the tiniest corner in a room already fully explored! Still such a great game though!
Exactly
FunFact: Richter is voiced by Chris Redfield's VA from RE1
I knew that voice sounded familiar.
One of the most revered games of all time and it brings me so much happiness to see that you enjoyed this game as so many others have. Love your approach to this review with your attire, darker makeup, and a glass of wine to match the gothic theme. Your appreciation and attention to detail in video games is always a breath of fresh air compared to other UA-camr reviews(lol I wrote this just before you mention it at 11:00). Thank you for gracing us with this great review during the month of October!
So glad you enjoyed it
@@Cannotbetamed1 I was waiting for the line, "What is a man?" and you throwing your wine glass at 1:17. That would have been awesome, but a waste of good wine.
OH SHIT IT'S MISTER BELMONT
@@Cannotbetamed1 I’m going to have to recommend it again, I will every year.
The Historian, by Elisabeth Kostova.
It is the law, the burning leaves smell and fog. Ooooooohh! Spooooky.
Hey Rich, wheres the party ? 😄
I remember playing through this classic over Christmas'97
Brilliant video, put together with love and care and the game deserved a quality and honest review and you did it justice. Thank god you cannot be tamed.
I still go back to this every now and then.
Epic thumbnail! So badass. Never played SotN but it’s high on the list for sure.
Happy early birthday !!!
Thank you! And yes, happy early birthday.
@@Cannotbetamed1 thanks Pam!
Great review. I got the game on my PS4. You made me want to replay it!
Pam's talking about the masterpiece that is SOTN? This is gonna be good!
This game was the reason I bought a Playstation. It was October 24, 1997, a Friday, and my best friend walked home with me after school. It started snowing rather intensely, in what would turn out to be a historic blizzard. It was unsafe to drive, so they stayed the night and we watched movies. The next morning, we decided to go get a PSX and SotN... but first we had to dig out a path to the nearest driveable road. We shoveled nonstop for 5 hours, and then very, very carefully drove a perilous path to a nearby store which was, surprisingly, not closed. Then, prize in hand, we went back into the deep dark depths of the unfinished basement and played... passing the controller back and forth upon each death. We didn't see sunlight again until days later when the castle, and the snow, had been banished.
... and it still holds up surprisingly well today. Most other games of the time are pretty bad now, especially the early 3D titles, but SotN is kind of timeless.
Oh! Thats my favourite game of all time!! Glad you enjoyed!
While all other 1997 games are ignored these days, this gem stood the test of time. It's like a fine wine.
this and FFVII
"Why is there a ballad over the credits?" - that's probably Alucard's mom singing
I echo basically everything here. Wonderful game, and I am glad you went in on the appropriate look for the video. Very Halloween-season vampire.
Played Symphony of the Night for the first time this year and absolutely loved it! Visuals, atmosphere, exploration, soundtrack all amazing.
Stumbled into the bad ending and instantly wanted to figure out how to actually beat the game. So far I’ve been having trouble getting to the inverted castle without guides. It’s little obtuse things like this that keep Metroid as my preferred side of the Metroidvania spectrum.
I only played this game for the first time about 3 years ago. And it was still one of the best games I've ever played.
GOAT. And you’re pretty great yourself. Really enjoying your stuff lately.
Thanks!
One of the best two dimensional non linear action adventure map based platform games there is! And the boss battles are really impressive in this one, I love the ball of bodies!
The bosses are so good. I also love that big zombie guy hanging from the ceiling.
@@Cannotbetamed1 the one with those giant disgusting flies? That boss probably gave me the most trouble, until I grinded.
@@Cannotbetamed1 Beelzebub: Lord of the Flies.
My fav thing about this video is that you came back to this game after all these years, having never really gotten into it during it's prime! Really shows how it held up over the years! Great video as always. This is easily in my top 10 favorite games!
I remember getting this for my birthday the year it came out. I just moved and didn't have many friends, so Alucard and I spent a LOT of time together.
☺👍
He's a great pal!
Of all Castlevania games, SOTN holds a special place in my heart. I enjoyed your review and your outfit while drinking wine was a PLUS!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed.
Yup. This is the quintessential Castlevania game. Definitely in my top 15 games from the 90's.
probably top 15 games of all time for me, maybe top 5 from the 90's along with Super Metroid, SF2, Zelda OOT, DKC2
@Tom Ffrench yeah, I just view it as two genres, the Metroidvania and the OG action platformer for Castlevania. Metroid has a similar issue in the Metroidvania is the OG games, but the FPS adventure games were the Prime series. Other M is sort of a 2.5 D mix of the two.
Back in the day we were peeling layers from the mansion with no real central place on the internet to discuss it. Was awesome just discussing it and figuring it out.
Oh my God this game!!! One of the 2 amazing games that created the term "metroidvania". I loved it. I have to note one thing here. Playing Dark Souls 1 and 3 recently, it kind of gave me the same sense Symphony of the Night did. Castlevania Symphony of the Night is surely one of the best games for the original PlayStation and one of the best games ever made. It has aged like fine wine over the years thanks to it's incredibly good pixel art, engaging gameplay, unbelievable soundtrack an innovative design for a Castlevania game. One of the best games ever. Thank you Pam for bringing it into attention for the newer players. Great review! (Trivia: Map exploration rating goes beyond 200%,.In the Saturn version you can also play as Maria Renard and Richter Belmont from the beginning of the game. Symphony of the Night is a direct sequel to Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (released in Japan) for the NEC - PC Engine CD, which is also a great game with great attention to detail and super impressive soundtrack, considered by many the best classic Castlevania game)
The Souls games along with Bloodborne are probably the closest we're going to get to a 3D Symphony of the Night. The exploration and atmosphere are definitely there.
Thank you for this beautiful love letter to SotN. I played it many years ago and your review made me remember exactly why I liked it so much.
You're welcome :)
The time, effort and energy that you put into each video us beyond me. Down to the smallest detail is great! This definitely one of my favorites to play.
Thanks so much
Great job on how you put the video together with the music. It’s been over two decades since I last played it. Thanks for bringing back many great memories from 1997…
ahhh 22 years playing this game and I just dont get tired. Great review :)
Thanks
Oh hell yeah. Stumbled upon your channel and I'm always here for castlevania content
Welcome!
I almost feel bad for not playing this yet. Gotta change that soon!
Awesome review!
Thanks!
If you can, try to find an original version for it. Ever since they remade it for newer consoles they updated the voice dialouge which is inferior to the original voices IMO
@@LeeEverett1 Ah I see! I do have the original version on the PS1, hooked up with an RGB cable. Looks so good!
"...hard to go back after Alucard" is a proper quote.
The OG Metroidvania. I always get my Castlevania on in the month of October. Shoutout to Interview with a Vampire. I highly recommend Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen as well! Like an retro-vampire Zelda with great writing/voice-acting. 👍
OG is 1986 Metroid or 1988 Castlevania 2 Simon's Quest, but this game is up there with one of the most refined and inventive games in the genre, along with Super Metroid.
Love me some Blood Omen!
Metroid is Metroidvania minus the “vania”, Simons Quest is Metroidvania minus the Metroid. SotN combined elements of both and is often considered the OG for that reason.
@Tom Ffrench Duck Tales was more like an action platformer. It requires you to nail jumps or instant death. Metroidvanias generally don't feature that as falling down a pit usually means a new area to explore.
I blame you for making me hear the soundtrack again hahaha. Great video, Pam
Thanks!
SoTN is the only non Mario or LoZ game that my wife ever beat 100%. She's still way better at it than me haha, it's definitely the best Castlevania in my opinion.
But did she beat it at 200%?
🤔 I Vonder Vhy ?
It was great and laid down the formula. I might argue that Dawn of Sorrow is better but SOTN is a landmark. The only Vania I would put over it is Super Vania IV
Appreciate this elegant wine holding castlevania review. Nice work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Their are some good Castlevania games on game boy advance. This is one of the best. I like your makeup.
Thanks!
I had this game for the Saturn back in the day. I never played it much. I found a port for the Xbox 360 and downloaded it for the series x. I haven’t stopped playing it.
I'm 41, played a shitload of great games, from Wolf3D to Demon's Souls Remake, SOTN is in my top 5 games of all time
Am 40 now. i play this game back in 1998, i remember i complete the game about 50 times.....
Nice :) good Taste! It's still One of the best rpg's ever made!
I'm 40 also , and the SOTN, is one of my top 5, so many memories and good time.
My #1 game is Bloodborne, Bloodborne is the game Miyazaki literally went inside my head and take everything I wanted as a game and created.
I'm almost 48 and never played any of them, probably won't have time to play them properly until I'm around 55.
I've always known of them since the 80's but never got around to them because I used systems that they were never truly developed for.
It's also in my top 5. But not #1 (that goes to Xenogears).
For some reason, the Sega Saturn port actually gives Alucard a "third hand" to put one time use items on. Since the Saturn version wasn't made by the main Castlevania team (and then-producer Koji Igarashi wasn't fond of it), it's likely why the third hand option never appeared in the later ports.
Oh Pam. You really hit the nostalgia nerve with this one. The latter years of highschool for me was playing this gem, among others on the PS. The art is just something to behold. It's such a shame that the trend at the time with that tech were 3D games. I seriously feel that 32 bit 2D games didn't get their moment.
Oh well, after watching this video I feel like playing SOTN with a nice glass sangria now.
You do look like someone who plays with themselves, a lot.
I guess you'd know.
I sat and watched my mate play this , each night he’d pop round and progress. I recall thinking we were nearing the end and he found some glasses and accessed the upside down castle
The inventory concern you brought up is partly solved in the Saturn version, you can equip single use items to the L Trigger. I wish they implemented this in the later versions with the couple of other Saturn additions. Alas, it was not to be so.
So you recommend the Saturn version over the PlayStation for new players ? :)
While the game aged well overall, there’s quality of life improves that could be utilized. Hopefully the game gets a solid remaster at some point.
But Saturn has a loading pause before and after opening the main menu, and the map can only be viewed from the main menu. So depending on how you set up your emulator, it can be even more of a chore.
@@67fabs No, more for experienced fans.
@@clessili This is no longer relevant. There are several patches that fix the problem with loading the pause menu and calling the map. For example, this one:
ua-cam.com/video/kfRD7AfcSHU/v-deo.html
7:00 Don't forget the gravity boots in the gigantic clock area in the middle of Marble Gallery-with bat go straight up, to use down, up, X/A. Hit triangle/Y to bring up a organize tab, I go shield, 2 handed, short, sword2, sword, mace, offense, items, then food, then pots.
For what would be the first of many "Metroidvania" games, SOTN is a classic that holds up till this day. I've played many versions of the game, and I do enjoy them. I do wish IGA had recreated his own versions of the 2 new rooms, enemies and items for the PSP/PS4 that were released on the Saturn version. I could understand him not wanting to use those Saturn additions because they were design by a different team and he considers them inferior and not unifying with the rest of the game's aesthetics and looked out of place. But it would have made for the ultimate edition.
Back in the days, this game blew my mind. Because the game was like Super Mario World: another world opens when you think you are finished with the final boss. The bosses alone are topnotch, with the soundtrack it is one of the best metroidvania's, I rank this highly as you do together with Hollow Knight. ;)
Ohh this brings back memories. Friend of mine showed it to me on his PS1, I borrowed and played it to completion on an emulator. Way back in 2000. Later I bought it on the PSP with the Rondo of Blood remake. I must have played it from start to finish about 5 times.
Cannot be tamed is the best. no bro-fest fake hype, 2-min unnecessary intros, or over the top nauseating video edits. Just classic gaming love, honest, pure fandom. Thanks for keeping the real hobby community alive with these excellent videos!
Thank you!
Now this is music to my ears as I’m in a Castlevania kick at the moment. SoTN is crazy expensive but it’s one of those titles I’ll be getting before the year is out.
I hope you have good luck finding a copy for a decent price!
Could get it cheap as a download on Xbox or PS4, I really wish the Castlevania Requiem on PS4 had a physical copy though as it has SotN and also has Dracula X Rondo of Blood PC Engine version, which never got a physical release in the US. Well unless you count the PSP remake which could unlock the original game. SotN is my fave exploration based Castlevania, Rondo of Blood is my favorite traditional action platformer Castlevania. Wish there was a physical copy of that two game collection.
@@hepwo91222 Yeah you’re right but I’m the kind of girl who is a collector is physical games. I know it’s weird right?! Lol
@@TheGebs24 yeah, I have a physical copy (which I am NEVER selling) and I have purchased it on Xbox and PS4 as downloads to get all acheivements and trophys, but never got the full complete map, there is a trick to do it, I never bothered with. Its just one of those games I will revisit forever.
This is definitely the best Castlevania game ever made I love the whole game from beginning to end also it's a nice touch to play the game with the castle upside down
This game isn't just a Metroidvania. This is the game that spawned the term Metroidvania.
This is a classsic 90s game on the Sony playstation 1. talk about nostalgia. I remember buying the walkthrough book at blockbuster video to get through the levels
The soundtrack is amazing! 🎶♥️
Oh man, the commentary on the wolf form. I cannot. I LOL'd so hard. As always, excellent video!
Thanks!
Some people swear Super Metroid is better… I just don’t know how. The sprite work. The music. The atmosphere and tone. SotN is so freaking good
Super Metroid is just so good. I got stuck in SOTN, but I'm going to give it another shot. I just found out you could sit in chairs. :)
@@stucazzo2000 my favorite game. I hope you enjoy it
Bloodstained - Ritual of the Night was made the by same creator, with the same artist and composer as SOTN
Totally worth it !
Yes, it’s great. I’ve reviewed that too.
Love this game a lot, and I felt so happy playing Bloodstained since that game carries the same DNA with some interesting twists. Great job on the video! Hope you'll do Ecclessia someday.
The 8 bit bloodstained games are great. I couldn't even get into the 3d one enough to finish it more than one time and I didn't even finish everyrhing.
@@cuylshepherdton7437 Haha you suck! Ritual Of The Night is hundred times better than that Curse Of THe Moon bullshit!
Awesome! I have finished this masterpiece a week ago. Fantastic review!
Thank you
No game is perfect, but this is about as close as it gets. Happy Halloween.
She nailed what makes this game so damn near perfect.
A true masterpiece. Really cool to play Rondo of Blood first and follow through with this one, which is a direct sequel.
The large skeleton biting sound is still the greatest video game sound effect ever.
Very nice review as always Pam! I love that outfit and your makeup you chose for this video, very beautiful and classy with the glass of wine as well. SotN is just a fantasic game that I did discover early on when my friend who recommended the game to me gave me a copy of the ps1 game for my birthday. I do enjoy the later ports (even though that changed the voice acting) and added Maria as a playable character as well. I too enjoyed exploring every inch of both castles and felt very satisfied when opting to take on the strongest (But optional) boss in the game: Galamoth and winning that tough battle. I hope after watching this video, more gamers do play this game and enjoy what it has to offer because it does have the best strong points in a video game, with some minor nitpicks but nothing that ruins the experience. Im glad you gave this one another go and fully enjoyed your time with it 🙂
Galamoth was really tough. It took me a few tries to get that one:
Yeah, he can be a bit tricky, even at a high level. I dont remember what level i was back then but I do recall having the following handy for the battle: Resist thunder items, plenty of healing items, and the Crissagrim weapon
I agree with you in that particular place where there are a lot of medusa' heads flying around you.
Top 5 or so best games ever period.
Yes I just played all the way through it for the third time. The first two times I played through on PlayStation 1. And then I've had it on Series x for several years now but never got around to playing it. But I play through it last week and the amazing thing is the game held up so well that it was just as fun and just as amazing as it was when I played it back on PlayStation 1.
man I really got to play this
You really should.
In my opinion, Super Castlevania IV was the best of the saga. I had it in the 90's and I sold it when I got my Playstation 1. It was one of the most stupid things I ever did.
If you consider yourself a gamer, then you should. This game is one of the last side scrolling games ever made. Not only that, but you could go back into areas that you had already passed. If you’re an old school gamer, you would know that games would not allow you to return to areas previously passed on early game consoles.
“Fuck this clockwork room” THANK YOU.
... why is it so good? Because it gets you to do Goth cosplay.
Yes! This is super true! Every kids born in 1980s and 1990s love this game so much. The best Castlevania game in the history. :)
SotN is one of the best 2d exploration action adventures, probably my favorite too. I still find myself wanting to play it sometimes, for the 7th time.
Aria of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia are both amazing SotN successors, for those interested in a new metrovania experience.
Those are the two I'd suggest too, even if I don't like them as much as Symphony of the Night. I'd suggest Dawn of Sorrow too, despite its flaws!
You had me at "that rolls right off the tongue" :) Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween!
I actually hated travelling in the inverted castle. Wolf Running, Wingsmashing, Superjumping. It felt very unnatural to travel there.
Great review Pam. I always play Castlevania SOTN when I have the free time. How about reviewing Akumajou Dracula X Chi No Rondo (Castlevania Rondo of Blood)? The game that started Castlevania SOTN.
"Red, red wine... stay close to me, don't let me be alone, it's tearing apart my blue blue heart." I remember seeing Alucard very elegant compared to other vampire killers; also discovered the Dark Metamorphosis just by moving back and forth without having any clue about it, later on I realized you can unlock these magics since the beginning, and that they are registered in the menu . I didn't like entirely the Coyote-Wolf shape (I wanted something more aggressive), but I keep great memories of the game in the overall. I cannot believe SOTN is that old. Cheers!
I've heard the genre referred to as "search action" and thought that was pretty good. If you like SOTN, def check out the Castlevania GBA Collection on Switch (the DS games are probably my favorites in the series though).
I bought it for XBox, just haven't gotten around to it yet. So many other games on the go.
Great video Pam - SOTN is one of the greatest games I've ever played! John
Thanks!
This game is the reason I just refurbed a PS1.
One of the BEST game soundtracks of ALL TIME!!!
to be honest while this castlevania has one of the best sound track ever made in video game history imo, the FIRST castlevania had a perfect soundtrack, I love every single one of them and it's a NES game.. rare are the games that kept their musics from the NES era honestly, castlevania is one of them because it was THAT good
One of the first games I ever played, and it ruined my life. The dialogue is ingrained into my DNA. I'll be at Starbucks trying to order and say, "Ah ha ha ha haaaa.. Alucard, I'd like a venti mocha" Me and my wife will be arguing and I'll say "your words are as empty as your soul!" When I go play rec league basketball, I always say "but enough talk! Have at you!" right before the game starts.
lol
You make a great Vampire Queen, damn. I haven't played Symphony of the Night because I don't know the best platform to play it on.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the best Castlevania game and it needs a good remake.
Bloodstained: ritual of the night
Some people complained about Death taking your equipment away at the beginning, but like seriously, what are they expecting? To go through the game one-shotting everything? Where's the challenge in that? The way I see it, is that it shows the potential for what Alucard can do, and like you said, gives you something to work toward. I also enjoy the low HP pool early which reflects that Alucard has just awoken from his slumber, so of course he won't be at full strength.
Also, the way in which Alucard interacts with the environment, and even walks, is so elegant, and I haven't really seen it replicated again since.
I'm glad you enjoyed the game. Thanks for the review.
Yes, Alucard's sprite and animation are so elegant. I love it.