The iconic Castlevania series is once again back in the headlines, thanks mainly to the recent re-release of a compilation of the classic Game Boy Advance titles. The vampire-slaying franchise goes all the way back to the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 1980s, with its narrative and continuity reaching much further into history. Due to this history and just how many titles are in the series, it can definitely be difficult for newcomers to get into it.

Perhaps the best entry in the series is one of its most famous, which ironically features Dracula's own son in the title role. Symphony of the Night should be the go-to entry point to Castlevania newcomers for its story, impact on the franchise going forward and it's being one of the best games ever made. It doesn't hurt that it's also one of the most easily playable entries today, with a myriad of re-releases.

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What is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night About?

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night takes place in 1797, a few years after Richter Belmont, a member of the monster-slaying Belmont clan, defeated the Lord of the Vampires. Now Richter himself has gone missing, with Dracula's castle, the titular Castlevania, mysteriously reappearing decades before it was expected to rise again. Intent on solving the mystery of Castlevania's raising and destroying the castle once and for all is none other than Alucard, the half-human son of Dracula.

Alucard's journey inside the house of Dracula sees him befriend Maria Renard, a former ally of Richter who is also searching for him. Inside, Alucard learns the truth about both Richter and his father, all the while having to traverse an inverted version of the castle in a bid to stop the ultimate evil. His not being a Belmont means that Alucard goes through the adventure without the iconic Vampire Killer whip.

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Why Symphony of the Night the Best Game in the Series to Start With

Symphony of the Night was a huge experiment for the franchise, expanding upon the idea of a more RPG-oriented title first explored in Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. This included a branching path to explore, giving the game tons of longevity and evolving it beyond a mere hack-and-slash sidescroller. Symphony of the Night was also one of the first in the series to exemplify the characteristics of "Metroidvania" (a portmanteau of Castlevania and the Metroid franchise) games, with the elements in the game being part and parcel with Castlevania ever since.

The gameplay also incorporates leveling elements of RPGs, so those used to modern action RPGs should feel right at home. Also praised were the game's graphics and atmosphere, which perfectly encapsulate the spooky tone. These were especially lauded at the time of its release, which was an era in which 2D graphics were beginning to be seen as old-hat. Also of note is the music, which is far more than the orchestral Gothic numbers one would expect. Tons of genres fill Symphony of the Night's soundtrack, including heavy metal, jazz and techno.

The story was also very well-received, namely anti-hero protagonist Alucard. Having such a plot was definitely a change of pace for a mere sidescrolling franchise, with most games in that genre beforehand having been more arcade-esque romps with little focus on storytelling. For these reasons and more, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is considered to be not only one of the best entries in the Castlevania series but also one of the best games ever made.

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How/Where to Play Symphony of the Night

Fortunately for gamers looking to break into CastlevaniaSymphony is one of the easiest entries in the franchise to find and play. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was released initially on the PlayStation before also coming out on the failed Sega Saturn in Japan. It was later re-released digitally for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and the Vita. It was also available on the former console through the game Konami Classics Vol. 1, which was a compilation of several games. It could also be unlocked in the PSP anthology Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, alongside its predecessor Castlevania: Rondo fo Blood.

The easiest way to play it for modern gamers would be on the PlayStation 4, where it can be downloaded along with Rondo of Blood as part of the Castlevania Requiem duology. There's also a port for Android and iOS, so even gamers on the go can discover how Castlevania: Symphony of the Night revitalized one of gaming's most beloved franchises for a new generation.

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