Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance is the latest entry in long running Castlevania series that's almost as old as I am. Castlevanias 1 and 3 for the NES were the last games I played in the series, so I've been a bit out of touch.
After playing the new game for a few minutes, though, everything felt natural. I assumed it would be another run and fight an unending barrage of one-hit-kills enemies game, until I realized that this one was going to be so much deeper.
Aesthetics:
While not overly impressive, the graphics of Castlevania: HOD are reminiscent of the Super Nintendo's Castlevania 4 (as I remember from screen shots). The main character, Juste Belmont, is a little plain, but enemies are nicely drawn sprites and the backgrounds often show off some cool GBA effects.
It was actually a little distracting the first time I got up high in the castle and saw that the sky was flying at me at warp 2.7 (you Trekkies know I'm right- 2.8 would have looked so much different). I can't tell if it's good or not that the action doesn't let you take in the visuals very often though. The bosses and magic spells may be pretty to watch but if you do you're dead.
Control:
When you start the game you can perform the following moves: jump, whip, move, dash left, dash right, and secondary weapon. The more you venture into the castle the more tricks you learn to let you venture further, such as sliding under small crevices and double jumping.
Gameplay:
Acquiring new moves really ties into the branching map that at first seems truly daunting. The entire game takes place in one sprawling castle, but each area is different enough that it never becomes tiring, and you don't have access to the entire place at once, of course.
The game is linear in chunks, where the story progresses at different times for everyone, but always in the same order. It's very easy to stumble upon some massive boss if you don't know what the boss doors look like, but once you learn how to use your map it's not hard to see the rooms you haven't explored yet.
One thing I'd like to see in all games is the ability to flag a map, so if you see an item you can't reach yet, you can write a message about that room that says "sparkly thing way up high." That way it's easy to know which rooms still have items you need after you learn how to get up high. Maybe I'm just used to typing stuff in Animal Crossing.
One thing I'd like to see in THIS game is a zoom-in function on the map. It was a strain to see how to get where I wanted to go when doors were represented by one-pixel-thick gaps in the walls.
Anyway, I've gotten way off track. The gameplay of Castlevania ROCKS! Every few seconds I couldn't help but think "this game ROCKS!"
When you first learn to incorporate the dash moves into your attacks so you can quickly get in, "whip" it out, and leave, you think it rocks.
When you realize the RPG elements that has Juste leveling up and equiping new items for better stats and different attacks, you think it rocks.
When you combine your secondary weapon with a spell book to create different spells with each weapon you find and each book you find, you think it rocks.
Okay, I'll stop saying rocks, just don't... "stone" me, I'm not as strong as... "Rock"y... maybe I shouldn't drink any more scotch on the... "rocks..." (that'll do, Austin).
This game is so damn fun that it didn't even need a story, but Konami even attempted one of those. They also threw in some collectable items that do nothing for you, just to see if you're willing to search the entire castle. It all makes for one stellar game that's worthy of going through more than once.
Harmony of Dissonance is a lot like Zelda 2 but with no over-world, cooler fighting, and a lot more RPG strategy. Hit the fire monster with ice attacks, etc.
Sound:
The music doesn't always fit the mood and doesn't always use the best of the GBA's sound capabilities.
The sound effects are great, with grunts from Juste that aren't as annoying as Mario's GBA outings, but the music is mostly standard fast-paced action stuff.
You may have to supply your own music for this one, but the game is worth playing just the same.
Multiplayer:
No multiplayer, but there are multiple characters. I believe if you enter your name as Juste's friend Maxim you get to play as him.
OVERALL:
This one I'm keeping. I usually trade in GBA games I review for NGenres, but Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance is the best portable game I've played since Golden Sun. I'm sorry I didn't get it sooner. I can't recommend it highly enough- go get it!
The Lowdown on  Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
| Aesthetics: Very Good |
Control: Awesome |
| Gameplay: Awesome |
Multiplayer: |
| Sound: Average |
Innovation: 5/6 |
| Lasting Appeal: 5/6 |
Rating Explanation |
Overall: Awesome!
"Top of the Genre"
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Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
