Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

There’s something sacred about stepping foot in Dracula’s castle, and in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, that reverent hush is immediately drowned out by the sound of a sword slash, a choir of synth-fueled falsettos, and the unmistakable drip of atmosphere thick enough to wade through. This mobile port of the genre-defining PlayStation classic doesn’t just repackage a retro gem; it welcomes you back to the cathedral where 2D action-RPGs ascended.

You play as Alucard, the rebellious, brooding half-vampire with a cape billowing in just the right way. His goal? Stop his dad, Dracula, from coming back… again. Along the way, you’ll unlock a steadily growing arsenal of powers, weapons, and secrets as you weave through a labyrinthine castle that somehow becomes even more of a masterpiece when flipped upside down.

Yes, literally upside down.

SotN’s greatest magic trick is its castle. A sprawling, interconnected world dripping with pixel-perfect detail and eerie charm, it slowly reveals itself as you gain abilities. But just when you think you’ve conquered it, the game inverts the entire structure for a second act that still stands as one of the cleverest twists in gaming. Add in some high-stakes combat, RPG-style progression, and tons of hidden paths, and you’ve got a portable time sink that justifies every tap, dash, and air slash.

This mobile version adds quality-of-life perks like controller support and a continue feature for when things get bloody, but otherwise leaves the original’s soul untouched, warts and all. The voice acting? So bad it’s iconic. The music? Still pure gothic opulence. The controls? Fine, especially with a gamepad, though you might occasionally long for a d-pad that isn’t made of glass.

Symphony of the Night wasn’t just Konami swinging for the fences, it’s them building the stadium that an entire genre would later play in. And now it’s in your pocket.

Even decades later, Symphony of the Night remains one of the most inspired and intoxicating action RPGs ever made. Whether it’s your first dance with Dracula’s boy or your fiftieth, this mobile port proves one thing: the night is still young.