Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow on the Nintendo DS is the sequel to the GameBoy Advance title, set just a year (in 2036) after the end of Aria of Sorrow where a cult has decided to resurrect the fallen Dracula and the evil that follows. Soma Cruz returns to find himself in the middle of the cult’s plans, and now he must infiltrate enemy territory (a towering replica of Dracula’s castle) and stop the evil of Dracula’s resurrection from happening.
The action spends all of its time on the lower screen, with the upper DS screen utilized for the map as well as character information data as players fight through the castles. Players can freely switch between Map and Data via the “Select” button. The system’s wireless function enables players to trade soul abilities between systems. The touch screen comes into play with a new “Magic Seal” ability where players can “shatter” weak bricks with their finger or stylus or draw magical symbols to defeat enemy creatures. You can exchange souls with other players via the DS wireless connection. Features an incredible musical score, next-gen graphics, and stunning special effects.
The Dracula soap opera continues. Find out all about it in this Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow video review.
To quote the video review: “With its strong character customization and challenging difficulty, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is the most addictive Castlevania game since 1997’s Symphony of the Night. While Aria of Sorrow owners will experience a strong case of deja vu, those looking to sink their fangs into a fast-paced action game with Death, will find Dawn of Sorrow to be one of the brightest in the series to date.”
Story — 7.3
Design — 9.5
Gameplay — 8.7
Overall — 9.1