Overview / Story: In this game you play the main role of Nathan, you, (Nathan) your adopted brother and father all go to confront Dracula together at the same time. For once again he has just magically been resurrected. However Dracula bitch slaps you and your step bro and you guys go falling down a huge corridor, and thus the quest to save your adopted dad begins. As far as stories go in the Castlevania world, you can only expect so much. Castlevania isn't generally known for its brilliant story. The fact that there is a rivalry between you and your adopted brother to compete for Dracula slaying stardom is compelling.
Story Rating: 8.0
Graphics: The graphics are good. They look very similar to Symphony of the Night and have the same art style, backgrounds that really got this series back on the right foot again. 2D Castlevania can't be beat, the graphics have some smooth animations. My only qualm is the running animation is a little stiff looking. As far as GBA standards go, this is one of the best looking games on the GBA, not the best, but still good.
Graphics Rating: 8.0
Sound: This is where the game starts to falter. While the sound effects are suitable for any Castlevania game, and the sound effects in general are pretty good. You've got some nice whip, monster, character, jumping & moving sounds. The sound effects are perfectly fine. The music however, which I usually look forward to and love in all Castlevania games is very disappointing. It's not the fact that the GBA in general doesn't produce very good music. It's still on par if not a little worse than Super Nintendo music synth quality. The fact is whoever composed the music for this game didn't really try that hard, and the haunting melodies of Symphony of the Night and all the other newer Castlevania games is missing.
Play Control: The Play Control in this game feels pretty good. There are times when you feel like your character is a little too stiff at times, particularly in the beginning of the game before you unlock any of your abilities, but once you get going further in the game.. This game plays smooth and you can control your character to exactly how you want to move and dodge with ease. Jumping is precise and very responsive. While it's not innovative.. It plays exactly how you'd want to play a Castlevania 2D game.
Play Control Rating: 9
Summary: The first entry for the GBA in the Castlevania series is a must buy. The story is pretty good for Castlevania standards.. But that's not saying much.. The game play is always classic pick up and go fun. Anyone can play this game with ease. You've got the standard RPG elements which made SOTN so great. The sound is kind of lacking, the music isn't memorable at all. But the sound effects will do justice in your mind. And finally the play control is smooth and exactly how you want to play a great Castlevania 2D game.
Overall Rating: 8.0 (MUST BUY)
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