Games

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo

2003•Platformer•PEGI 12•About 8 hours

Taste attributes: actionadventurehorroranimalsmonster/alien/supernaturalsexteenvehiclesfasttried & testedunsavouryimaginarysimpleglossybig & variedemotionally undemandingall consuming questcoming of agefighting evilfish out of water/culture clashhuman spirit/resilience/survivalrescue/escape/jeopardyunderdog triumphs

See which match your taste

Boxlist takeExpect an otherworldly, very fast platformer, big and varied rather than confined. Best if you like pace over patience.

Pace: very fast · Originality: tried and tested · Tone: dark · Weight: balanced · Realism: imaginary world · Story: balanced · Structure: balanced · Look: glossy · Scale: big and varied · Emotional punch: undemandingHow we score

IGDB rating

87 / 100

234 ratings

Your matchTake the taste test to see your match

Based on your film and TV taste: games are matched on the same ten characteristics, with your own match bands.

About This Game

The year is 2035 and Soma Cruz is about to witness the first solar eclipse of the 21st century when he suddenly blacks out -- only to awaken inside a mysterious castle. As Soma, you must navigate the castle's labyrinths while confronting perilous monsters at every turn. But beware, you must escape before the evil consumes you!

Summary: IGDB

Story

The game takes place in the year 2035 and stars Soma Cruz, a high school exchange student in Japan. While visiting the Hakuba Shrine with his friend Mina Hakuba, they are accidentally transported into Dracula's Castle. There, Soma meets Genya Arikado, who defeats a group of attacking enemies and explains Soma's ability to absorb monsters' souls. Genya also tells Soma to go to the Master's Chamber quickly, so Mina doesn't die an excruciatingly painful death.

Characteristics

Where this game sits on each taste spectrum

SlowPACEFast

FamiliarORIGINALITYOriginal

DarkTONEWholesome

LightWEIGHTINESSHeavy

FantasyREALISMRealistic

SimpleINTRICACYIntricate

Non-LinearLINEARITYLinear

UnderstatedSTYLEStylised

IntimateSCALEEpic

RestrainedEMOTIONIntense

Genres and themes

ActionAdventureHorrorAnimalsMonster/alien/supernaturalSexTeenVehiclesAll consuming questComing of ageFighting evilFish out of water/culture clashHuman spirit/resilience/survivalRescue/escape/jeopardyUnderdog triumphs

Keywords

GravityVampireMetroidvaniaDeathHorseTime manipulationAction-adventureSide-scrolling

Where to play

Nintendo eShop

Details

Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Publisher: Konami
Released: 6 May 2003
Series: Castlevania
Platforms: Wii U, Game Boy Advance
Modes: Single player
Perspective: Side view
Time to beat: 5h rushed, 8h normally, 20h complete
Age rating: PEGI 12
Taste scores: How we score
Source: IGDB

How game matches work

Games are scored on the same ten characteristics as films and matched with the same formula and your own match bands, from your film and TV taste. Game scores are estimates, made by fixed rules from IGDB genres, themes, keywords and descriptions.