Castlevania Symphony Of The Night

[fightingvipers]

Anybody any love for this game?

I have been back to it and I have to say it looks good plays well and I love the music.

I have always been a Castlevania fan.

[zetastrike]

Yeah I played through it for the first time recently on the Saturn. I loved it. The only other metroidvania I played before this was Circle of the Moon, which was good, but this blows it away. I've never played the PS1 game so I don't share a lot of the criticisms people tend to have with the Saturn version. When I first started the inverted castle, I really hated it. I thought it was a cheap way to extend the game, but I liked some of the bosses you encounter and I did get used to it. It was one of those games that left me with a good feeling after finishing it. I managed to cover 208.7% (or 207.8, I can't remember) of the map. I definitely recommend it to Saturn fans, but it goes for too much money for what it is. I was lucky enough to snag it for a deal but there are much cheaper and more practical ways to enjoy the game.

[oldskoolgaymer]

I've played the PS1 version and still think it's one of the best games on the system. I'm curious to try the Saturn version to see the extra content, but I imagine it just wouldn't be the same without the so-bad-it's-good English voice acting.

[Nightmare Bruce]

Jul 24, 2014 16:10:18 GMT oldskoolgaymer said:

I've played the PS1 version and still think it's one of the best games on the system. I'm curious to try the Saturn version to see the extra content, but I imagine it just wouldn't be the same without the so-bad-it's-good English voice acting.

It's very interesting to see the differences between the two versions! Graphics-wise I doubt you'd notice much difference without seeing them side by side with the exception of the fire/explosion effects (like when the Wargs in the first part of the castle die). The Saturn version uses a pixel mesh/dithering effect instead of transparency that's very noticeable if you have the Saturn hooked up via S-Video. I'm pretty sure SotN is FULL of transparency effects too so that's a small mark against it.

Otherwise it's great and playing with Maria is a blast (her move set is entirely different than the PSP version of SotN) plus the "Dracula's Castle" track in the beginning is replaced with a funky Vampire Killer remix.

[Sidney]

A great game I had on the PS1 back in 1998- played heavily- then gathered some dust for a while and for some dopey reason based on that I traded it. I have deeply regretted that ever since!! When I get it back I want it on the Saturn though!

[lambadelta]

I own the Saturn version which is called Nocturne in the Moonlight if I remember. It is better in my opinion to the PS1 copy except in the area of Load times, and Transparency (it was lazy porting in those areas). It has more content, and the extra hand for holding food so I don't need to switch a wep/shield out for food/potions is just great.

I suggest to most if you can get it cheap then get it ^^

[digichan]

a very good game in it's own right. The music is fantastic and Alucard is able to run.

Despite being what I consider a poor port compared to the psx but with extras, the packaging to this game is beautiful and.....

You can put the Saturn game CD into a mac/pc and view a folder of artwork.

[lordmaximus]

Just seen the PAL PS1 version of this game costs an absolute fortune! Thankfully one can download it on PSN for about 3 quid or simply just play an eboot of the game on a PSP for freeeee. (sorry if this offends anyone, but old games that go now for extortionate prices on ebay etc are not helping the original developer - they're only making any revenue from PSN sales).

[retrolove]

Well i bought this game last week,only arrived yesterday from japan and i have to say it is a belter of a game,just what i was looking for in an action game .
But like elevator action returns it is bloody expensive,however what can us saturnheads do?I think i shall be in the man cave for a while with my spoils.;-)

[lordmaximus]

Oct 21, 2014 1:38:56 GMT retrolove said:

Well i bought this game last week,only arrived yesterday from japan and i have to say it is a belter of a game,just what i was looking for in an action game .
But like elevator action returns it is bloody expensive,however what can us saturnheads do?I think i shall be in the man cave for a while with my spoils.;-)

Get the cheap and superior version on PSN instead!? :-p

[retrolove]

Lordmaximus i do not own any console newer than the gamecube/x box so psn is no good for me,plus i enjoy tracking down rare-ish games for decent prices.

[bradcap1]

I think he's talking about PS1. That's the version I went with due to cost.

[lordmaximus]

Nov 6, 2014 16:53:42 GMT bradcap1 said:

I think he's talking about PS1. That's the version I went with due to cost.

I mean't the PSN version, which of course is the PS1 game, but obviously available to play on PS3 and PSP, same game, but about £3.95 instead of silly money.

Its mean't to be better than the Saturn version anyway, although only marginally, as with most ports.

[bradcap1]

Nov 7, 2014 11:43:01 GMT lordmaximus said:

Nov 6, 2014 16:53:42 GMT bradcap1 said:

I think he's talking about PS1. That's the version I went with due to cost.

I mean't the PSN version, which of course is the PS1 game, but obviously available to play on PS3 and PSP, same game, but about £3.95 instead of silly money.

Its mean't to be better than the Saturn version anyway, although only marginally, as with most ports.

Got it. Sorry.
I don't have the Saturn version so I can't comment on which is better. But I agree with your assessment of the usual differences between ports. It's amazing what people argue over.

[lordmaximus]

Nov 7, 2014 16:35:38 GMT bradcap1 said:

Nov 7, 2014 11:43:01 GMT lordmaximus said:

Got it. Sorry.
I don't have the Saturn version so I can't comment on which is better. But I agree with your assessment of the usual differences between ports. It's amazing what people argue over.

Its even worse these days, over 360 vs PS3 and XB1 vs PS4. We are talking about having to looking at 1fps difference at certain points, or perhaps a screen tear 4 hours into a game.

At least in the 16 bit days, the Megadrive and SNES had noticeable differences/qualities to each. Same with the N64/Saturn/PS1.