Random Screenshot 35: Akumajou Dracula X Gekka no Yasoukyoku

 

Akumajou Dracula X Gekka no Yasoukyoku (Saturn) Konami Nagoya 1998

The Saturn was a 2-D powerhouse, so it made sense to port Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which was arguably the PSX's best looking 2-D game, to the system. However, Konami farmed the work out to their less talented Nagoya branch and the results were a mixed bag. On the surface it looks and sounds like the PSX version, but that is where the similarities end. There is heavy slowdown through out the game which makes some boss fights very annoying. If multiple enemies surround your character there is heavier slowdown which can cause cheap deaths and frustration. Sound effects are also muffled for some odd reason. On the upside, Maria and Richter are immediately selectable. Maria plays like a mix of Richter and a fighting game character with command inputs for her magic attacks. She is an absolute tank that makes the game far too easy, but she still plays better than the version of her selectable in the PSP port. New levels and enemies were added, but both are lackluster and forgettable, as is the addition of some badly done remixes from classic Casltevania titles such as a version of Bloody Tears that sounds like it being played on a kid's Casio keyboard. If you love the PSX version, give the Saturn version a look. It is not a superior version of the classic game in any shape or form, but some of the wacky new additions are worth checking out if you are a hardcore fan or Castlevania guru.