Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a single-player side-scrolling action role-playing game. It takes place in the year 2035, where a rare solar eclipse draws a Japanese exchange student named Soma Cruz into the depths of Dracula’s castle. Trapped within its walls, Soma must find a way to escape while uncovering the secret of why the Dark Lord’s power lingers after his defeat. Along the way, he learns that he possesses a mysterious ability known as the Power of Dominance, which allows him to absorb the souls of defeated monsters and harness their strength.

Gameplay centers on free exploration of the castle’s interconnected areas in the style of earlier Castlevania titles such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Players guide Soma through halls, towers, catacombs, and laboratories filled with traps and hostile creatures. Progression is non-linear: many routes are initially blocked by obstacles that require special powers or equipment to bypass, encouraging backtracking once new abilities are unlocked. As Soma grows stronger, more of the castle becomes accessible, with optional bosses and hidden areas that reward careful exploration.

Combat combines melee weapons with the soul system. Soma can wield swords, spears, whips, axes, and firearms, each with distinct reach and speed. By defeating enemies, he can capture their souls, which are divided into categories: Bullet Souls grant offensive attacks such as fireballs or bone projectiles, Guardian Souls summon allies or provide defensive shields, and Enchant Souls grant passive stat boosts or movement abilities. The flexibility of this system allows players to tailor Soma’s combat style to their preferences. Soma gains experience points from battles, levels up to improve his attributes, and can equip armor, accessories, and consumable items purchased or discovered within the castle. Boss battles punctuate key areas.

The game also includes several optional features. Players can connect with another copy of Aria of Sorrow to trade souls via link cable. After completing the story once, extra modes become available, including a “Boss Rush” mode and a bonus campaign featuring the character Julius Belmont. Multiple endings can be reached depending on how the player approaches key story events.