3.5/5 ★ – pborkowski12's review of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Oh boy. Time for another installment of “My Unpopular Opinions.” I don’t think this game is that great. I borderline gave it 3 1/2. I think this game has major flaws that have been improved in the more modern Metroidvania games I’m used to. Back tracking is awful because 1.) enemies are impossible to just avoid 2.) Alucard’s default speed is awful, and 3.) the map feels so disjointed and one way, backtracking can’t be circumvented by interconnected paths (I know there are teleportation rooms, but they are few and far between. I hate going back to the save screen every time I die. Alucard also upgrades incredibly slow, meaning it feels as if you’re not progressing for the longest time. Finally, there’s no strategy in picking Alucard’s gear. You just pick whatever gives you the best offense/defense with a *few* exceptions. But when I’m exploring new areas and gaining new abilities, this game is absolute bliss. Finding new upgrades and actually feeling like your progressing is what makes this genre so special. The boss fights are fun, the graphics look great, and the music’s pretty tight in some spots as well. But I can’t get over the fact that for 70% of the game, I felt as if I was slowing walking through the same halls and rooms. At the time of writing this, I have unlocked, but haven’t beaten the upside-down castle. I just don’t have it in me right now. I do see why it’s considered a classic, but as someone who’s just playing it now, I don’t think it’s aged the best.