Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku
From Sega Retro
| Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku | ||||||||
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| Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami System(s): Sega Saturn ROM Size: 462MB Genre: Action Number of Players: 1
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Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku (悪魔城ドラキュラＸ ～月下の夜想曲～) is an entry in the Castlevania series released for the Sega Saturn exclusively in Japan in 1998. Western gamers know this game as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - the name the PlayStation 1 version of the game and all successive re-releases. It is a direct sequel to Akumajō Dracula X: Chi no Rondo for the TurboGrafx-CD and the second and final Castlevania game to be released on a Sega system, following Castlevania: Bloodlines.
Though it shares the same name, the Saturn version of this game contains various exclusive features including a new playable character (Maria Renard), new items, new enemies, and two new levels (Cursed Prison and Underground Garden). A third equippable hand is available to Alucard for equipping usable items such as healing items. A relic known as "God Speed boots" become available to Alucard halfway through the game and allow the player to move faster. Classic Castlevania music is remixed and a couple new tracks have also been recorded.
Unfortunately, the game was badly ported to the system. The PlayStation does not have a 2D graphics mode, instead relying on programmers to turn the 3D mode into a 2D one through the use of polygons and textures. The Saturn contains both 2D and 3D graphics modes, which can be used in conjunction with each other, however the developers of this game did not take advantage of it, forcing the Saturn to render it in the same method as the PlayStation.
The results of the bad port include, among other things, stretched graphics (The PS1 runs the game with a 256x224 screen resolution, while the Saturn goes for 352x240) and other distortions. There are longer loading times, and transparency effects in the Saturn version are also altered as the Saturn cannot handle alpha transparency while dealing with 3D polygons. It is believed that many of these issues could be fixed had the game been altered to play to the Saturn's strengths.
Playable Characters
- Alucard - Son of Dracula - Capable of equipping many weapons, items, familiars, and relics. Can transform into mist, wolf, or bat forms. He can level up to increase his base stats. While using him every button on the Saturn controller is used. Button functions include 2 attack buttons, a back dash, 3 transform buttons, jump, pause. Special button combinations can be used to perform a variety of spells.
- Richter Belmont - Vampire Hunter - Attacks with a whip which can be fully extended or be flailed in multiple directions. Can slide, slide kick, Uppercut Super Jump, Shoulder Dash, Back Flip, and Use special weapons found in candles. Button functions include 1 attack button, Item Crash, jump, and pause.
- Maria Renard - Richter Belmont's Sister-in-law - Very powerful character that has a set amount of moves and cannot equip items. Has multiple special moves including a triple jump, jump kick, flame thrower, and invincibility spell. Button functions include 1 fireball button, 1 kick button, jump, and pause.
Physical Scans
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85 | Sega Retro Average | |||||||||||||||
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| Based on 4 reviews | |||||||||||||||||
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| Saturn, JP |
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  Cover
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 Spinecard  Disc  Manual  Inlay |
| Castlevania games for Sega systems | ||
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Castlevania: Bloodlines (1994) | |
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Castlevania: The Bloodletting (Cancelled) | |
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Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku (1998) | Castlevania: The Bloodletting (Cancelled) | |
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Castlevania Resurrection (Cancelled) | |