2D action-adventure/platforming game developed by Konami in 1997, exploring Dracula's castle, battling enemies and uncovering secrets and abilities.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a 2D side-scrolling action-adventure/platform video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation in 1997. It is the sequel to Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and features Dracula's dhampir son Alucard as the protagonist.
The game begins with Richter Belmont's defeat of Count Dracula in 1792. Four years later, Richter mysteriously disappears and Dracula's castle reappears. Alucard embarks on a quest to discover what happened to Richter and meets Maria Renard along the way. Alucard must explore Dracula's immense demonic castle, battling creatures of the night as well as the castle itself, which uses various traps and barriers to impede his progress.
A defining feature of Symphony of the Night is its non-linear gameplay and emphasis on exploration. Players unlock new areas of the castle by acquiring items and abilities that allow them to reach previously inaccessible places. Weapons, armor, spells, and other gear can be collected to improve Alucard's stats. There are also many hidden secrets and multiple endings based on completion percentage.
Hailed as one of the greatest video games of all time, Symphony of the Night popularized the Metroidvania genre with its elements of action-adventure, RPG, and exploration. It has been widely praised for its graphics, music, gameplay, and replay value. It is considered a seminal work in 2D game design and a must-play masterpiece.