Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

About

This PlayStation Portable port of a beloved action-adventure classic adds new layers to an already deep formula. You explore a large gothic castle, battling bosses, collecting weapons, and upgrading abilities as you navigate interconnected areas. The PSP version includes revised dialogue, optional Japanese voice acting, and new characters like Maria Renard, who joins as both a boss and playable fighter with moves inspired by earlier Castlevania entries. Combat remains precise, blending whip attacks, sub-weapons, and magic to tackle varied enemies. The Metroidvania-style design rewards curiosity, with secrets hidden behind environmental puzzles and optional challenges. The port stands out for preserving the original’s legacy while addressing regional content gaps. Familiars removed in past Western releases return, and new music tracks replace older themes, including a revised closing song by series composer Michiru Yamane. Though locked behind progression in Dracula X Chronicles, this version offers a near-complete package for longtime fans. With a Metacritic score of 87, it retains the 1997 PlayStation hit’s reputation as a genre-defining title. The inclusion of Maria adds fresh context to the story without overhauling its atmospheric core.

Storyline

It was Richter Belmont, the legendary vampire hunter, who succeeded in finally ending the menace of Count Dracula, Lord of the Vampires, who had been brought back from the grave by the dark priest Shaft in Rondo of Blood. However, one night 4 years later, under the glare of a full moon, Richter mysteriously vanished. With no idea where to begin her search, Maria Renard set out to look for him. It was then that fate intervened. Castlevania, the castle of Dracula, which is rumored to appear once every century, suddenly materialized from out of the mist as if to show her the way. Meanwhile, powerful forces were struggling for the soul of a man named Alucard. The very same Alucard who had teamed up with Trevor Belmont to battle his immortal father, Count Vlad Tepes Dracula. Alucard, in order to purge the world of his own cursed blood line, had submerged his vampiric powers and entered into what was supposed to be an eternal slumber. But now, he is awake and aware of the evil once again at work in his homeland. The time has once again come for the forces of Good and Evil to engage in their ancient battle. Dracula's castle beckons you…