This is a column dedicated to the most overlooked feature of the Playstation 2: Backwards Compatibility. Although we all have our sleek black Playstation 2\'s with its plethora of awesome games and sweet graphics, we also hold the key to one of the largest videogame libraries ever created totaling well over 400 games in North America alone including some of the greatest games ever devised. Each week, on Monday no less, this column will bring you an old classic worth picking up at a cheap price for your PS2/PSX that\'s definitely worth exploring one more time. Now, on with it...
This week (03-19-01):
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Backstory:
2D, a phrase that will echo in gamers ears forever as the age when game characters and backgrounds moved from being built by a few rectangular blocks and dots on a screen into a true art form brought to life only by the artists and animators who painstakingly animated every frame of movement to bring you a smooth and life-like character that each and every one of us could identify with. Not only did these characters move super smoothly in multiple ways, but they also now had faces that we could all recognize and see that gave the characters that extra spice of videogame life. The biggest example of this rebirth in videogame graphics, as far as beauty and true artistic movement are concerned, is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
You play as Alucard, a vampire hunter of sorts destined to fight the king of all vampires, Dracula. Oddly enough, you yourself are a part vampire seeking out Richter Belmont, descendant of Simon Belmont the first hero of the Castlevania games, and find out just why he dissapeared. Consequently, your entire search takes place in the Dracula castle which appears but once every century.
How it\'s played:
Gameply wise, this game is a dream. There is many weapons you can acquire and many abilities you can obtain to access new areas and expand the tons of moves you can do as well. The game is also incredibally long taking anywhere between 20 or more hours to complete. Abilities such as turning into a bat, or turning into mist are just but some of the different takes on the game Konami has opted for to increase it\'s beautiful style of gameplay. Hidden doors can be revealed, secrets can be sought out and special weapons can be obtained as well as the ability to use Richter Belmont himself. In addition, Alucard also has a load of magic spells he can perform by pressing the buttons in specific motions. Fans of the Street Fighter series will be able to relate to these moves rather quickly.
Playstation 2 Enhancements:
Turning on the texture smoothing and increased read speed is, unfortunately, pointless. The game itself already has pretty speedy load times in the first place and the 3D textures in the game are scarce to be sure since most of it is done in 2D. Using the features is pretty pointless with this title, but that doesn\'t hold true for all the others.
Overall:
The music and sound effects are amazing, the atmosphere is superb, the graphics are rich and smooth, and the gameplay is to-die-for. I\'d pick up this game in a heartbeat if I didn\'t own it already since it was released for the first time on the PSX long ago. What more can be asked for from a "dieing" graphics format in this 3D captivated world? How about a sequel that\'s equally as stunning for the Playstation 2 using those 2D/3D psuedo backgrounds utilized in Marvel Vs Capcom 2? Gamers can dream can\'t they?
Price: $19.99
Availability: High, PSX Greatest Hit Title.
Where to look: Pretty much in any bargain bin or on retail shelves with that green stupid "greatest hit" logo on the side bar.
Next week: Ape Escape
