Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, a 2003 Game Boy Advance (GBA) title, is one of the best games in the Castlevania franchise. The game is set in 2035 and follows an amnesiac high school student named Soma Cruz as he navigates Dracula’s castle, battles monsters, and collects Souls from fallen enemies to gain new abilities and powers. The game’s combat system is fast-paced and satisfying, with a large variety of weapons and abilities. The game’s level design is fantastic, with hidden areas and unique bosses. The game’s soundtrack and graphics are also impressive. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a must-play for fans of action-adventure games and the Castlevania franchise.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow: The Best GBA Game You’ve Never Played
Introduction
Released in 2003, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow flew under the radar during its time. Despite receiving critical acclaim, this Game Boy Advance (GBA) title remains largely unknown by gamers even today. However, those who have played it have experienced one of the best entries in the franchise, and a standout title in the GBA library. In this article, we’ll explore why Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a must-play game for anyone looking for a quality action-adventure experience.
Story
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow takes place in 2035, a departure from the medieval settings of its predecessors. You play as Soma Cruz, an amnesiac high school student who mysteriously finds himself inside Dracula’s Castle. From there, the game follows the typical Castlevania formula of exploring the castle and defeating its many monsters, ruled over by Dracula himself.
However, Aria of Sorrow stands out with its unique twist on the story. Throughout the game, Soma discovers the truth about his past and his connection to Dracula. The game has multiple endings that depend on the player’s actions, providing a satisfying payoff to the story.
Gameplay
Where Aria of Sorrow truly shines is its gameplay. The game’s combat system is fast, fluid, and satisfying. Soma has access to a large variety of weapons and abilities, such as swords, spears, and magic spells. Each weapon has a unique set of moves and combos, allowing players to experiment and find their preferred playstyle. Soma can also collect “Souls” from fallen enemies, which grant him new abilities and powers. This mechanic provides a sense of discovery and progression, encouraging players to explore and find new enemies to defeat.
The game’s level design is fantastic, and the castle is filled with secret rooms and hidden areas. Soma will often need to use his abilities to access these areas, adding a layer of puzzle-solving to the game. The castle itself is also divided into multiple areas, each with its own bosses and enemies. Each area has a unique look and feel, offering a varied gameplay experience.
Soundtrack and Graphics
The game’s soundtrack is composed by Michiru Yamane, who has worked on many Castlevania games in the past. The music perfectly captures the gothic atmosphere of the game, with haunting melodies and driving rock tracks. The graphics are also impressive for the GBA, with detailed environments, animations, and character designs.
Legacy
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is widely regarded as one of the best games in the franchise. Its critical success led to a direct sequel, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, released for the Nintendo DS in 2005. The game also inspired other action games to adopt the “Souls” system, such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne.
Conclusion
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition. Its combination of tight gameplay, engaging story, and memorable soundtrack make it a standout title on the GBA. If you enjoy action-adventure games or are a fan of the Castlevania franchise, Aria of Sorrow is a must-play. So dust off your GBA or emulate it on your computer and experience one of the best games you’ve never played.