Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Review

Casltevania is a game that shows 2D gaming should never die. It ranks high up there with the Mario Brothers, the Mega Mans, the Ghouls and Ghosts, or any other legendary 2D side scrollers. These games can offer new and innovative gameplay ideas while still keeping the same look they had 15 or even 20 years ago. Side scrolling games are also some of the most challenging games available as most of them are really fast paced with lots of stuff happening on screen at the same time. They push gamers to the limit, forcing them to figure out ways to get through each enemy-filled screen, one after the other without making any mistakes. These games are so nerve-racking they make you go crazy at times, they make you swear, they make you want to throw your controller (or handheld) on the floor and quit gaming… but when you succeed, they are the most satisfying gaming experiences ever.

That is, for me, the true definition of 2D gaming: fast paced and challenging! It is one of the reasons why I still play games and why I think it shouldn’t die. I think games are becoming much too easy and that hardcore gamers like me are not offered enough alternatives. But since 2D games are mostly targeted towards hardcore gamers, we at least have those to look forward to.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is the latest 2D game in the series. 3D Castlevania titles have been available on the N64 and PS2, and while the PS2 titles are good and closer to the 2D games than the N64 offerings, they are still not as good. Dawn of Sorrow takes Castlevania to the next level. It keeps what made Casltevania games good in the first place and adds new elements to it so that it feels fresh and new.

This game follows the story of the last GBA Castlevania game, Arria of Sorrow. You still play as Soma, and after defeating the bad guys and thinking it was all over, you find out that Dracula can still be resurrected. You have him in you, and a group of people called the Cults want to make him come back. They’ve set the trap and you of course walk right into it. Once you get into their castle though, you’ll have to find a way to stop their plan and come out alive.

Old friends are there to help you, since Soma couldn’t do it by himself. I won’t give out any details but the other characters are crucial to your success and the way everything unfolds through cutscenes is really cool! It isn’t the most story intensive game I’ve seen, but for a 2D game I think it does offer a lot. There is a little bit of dialog here and there (mostly before boss fights) but when you go to the stores the characters there will often say different things, some of which are really funny, so that in a way you get to know the other characters more. It makes for a nicer experience all around as it gives some sense to what you are doing. It would be incredibly stupid if you’d start at the beginning of the castle and had to kill everyone without any good reason, so the backstory and character development in this game makes it all meaningful.

Now, since Dawn of Sorrow is a sequel to another game, it means that the same gameplay elements are back. You can still absorb enemy souls to learn new techniques, which was one of main elements in Arria of Sorrow and the best addition to a Castlevania game ever. It makes for so much variety in the game and you are always thinking about new strategies to beat monsters or bosses because of that. I spent a lot of time collecting enemy souls and trying to see what each one of them did and I’d then use them on bosses to see which one was the most effective. Since some souls are more difficult to find it gives a good incentive to play through the game more than once and collect them all.

You can also buy weapons and accessories from the store to make your character stronger and you can then take them to the customization shop where you can upgrade them. Upgrading your weapons is one of the most important aspects of the game as it will make your characters stronger. And since the game can be difficult at times, you will have a hard time advancing without those upgrades.