Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

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You're probably going to see a bunch of quick handheld game impressions here this week since I spent a lot of time on planes last week.

The very first game I tried out when travelling last week was Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.  I grabbed it on the PSN store for my Vita right before the trip.  All the talk about the Kickstarter for it's spiritual successor got me really interested in trying the original game.

I've played a bit of Castlevania here and there over the years, but it's never been one of the series I go crazy for.  I had never touched this particular Castlevania game before.  But, it's supposed to be one of the best.

And the game is actually really good.  I can see the underlying systems that make this game a classic.  I can see the exploration and the challenge that make people love this game.

After a couple hours I could also see that this game just wasn't for me.  I think it's a combination of the setting and the power-up system.  Gothic horror setting has never appealed to me.  It's completely subjective, but it's just not my thing.  The power-up system actually has levels and gear.  It's basically an entire RPG system built onto a 2D action-platformer.... and that's not something I want.  I like RPGs and I liked action-platformers but it seems like I don't like them together.

I'm learning to be more ok with acknowledging that a game can be good but still not be a game that I have fun with.  That's the case here.  No hard feelings Castlevania.  I'm sure you'll make lots of other people happy.

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