Easily the pinnacle of the Castlevania franchise, Symphony of the Night is coming to the European PSN on Oct. 10. The game has been available on the US and Japanese PSN's for close to five years, as well as XBLA. But better late than ever, right?
Originally released in 1997, Symphony was a milestone for both the series, and gaming history, establishing a new genre dubbed "Metroid-Vania," an exploration heavy style of gameplay that introduced non-linear play to the typically linear side scroller.
One of the first games where you didn't play as a Belmont or one of the clan's descendants, Symphony took players through Dracula's Castle as the famed vampires' son, Alucard.
Exploring and fighting his way through the castle, Alucard would gain new items and learned new abilities that would allow him to traverse further into the depths of the castle, as well as pass through areas previously inaccessible. Alucard could transform into a wolf, bat, mist, and use magic against his father, brought back from the dead by the dark wizard Shaft (shut yo' mouth...).
The game also featured a level up system, a feature not really utilized in action games before Symphony.
A number of Castlevania games on Nintendo's handheld consoles followed the formula set by Symphony, including Circle of the Moon, Dawn of Sorrow, Harmony of Despiar, and others.
If for whatever reason, you missed your chance to try this title in the last dozen years or so, you'll get your chance when the game is released Oct. 10. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will be priced at £9.99.
But enough talk. Have at you!
