With a fantastic soundtrack as well, Circle of the Moon has a wonderful aesthetic. Thankfully, that’s not an issue on modern systems, allowing Circle of the Moon’s wonderful art design to finally shine. Most players wouldn’t expect Dracula’s castle to be an inviting place, but the darkness of the environments, combined with the original version of the Game Boy Advance not having a backlight, made it a difficult game to see for many players. The biggest problem Circle of the Moon had at release was how dark it is. You can always grind a bit if needed, though. Of all the titles here, this one features the greatest difficulty spike, growing significantly more difficult around the halfway point. The more methodical gait of earlier titles in the series may feel familiar or strange depending on what Castlevania titles you’ve previously played.Ī unique card system allows you to customize your abilities and provides variety.

For example, your mobility options are still pretty limited. When looking at it alongside these other titles, it stands out more for the ways it hadn’t changed. At the time it released, people focused on the ways it was more like Symphony of the Night because they were still new. Of the three Game Boy Advance Castlevania titles, Circle of the Moon feels the most like a classic Castlevania game. It doesn’t go well, and Nathan ends up alone, fighting to save his master from the Dark Lord. When the big man returns, Nathan, along with his parents’ friend and that friend’s son go to stop him. You play as Nathan Graves, a young man whose parents once helped banish Dracula.

A precedent that would continue until the series reached the 3DS more than twelve years later. It set a precedent for future handheld titles mimicking the role-playing elements of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

We just didn’t tend to see action games with this much depth on handheld systems at the time. When Castlevania: Circle of the Moon was released alongside the Game Boy Advance back in 2001, it immediately stood out. Being able to play them on your TV, or on a handheld you can see, makes a huge difference.

While these games aren’t all perfect, anyone who loves a good Metroidvania is doing themselves a disservice if they don’t check them out. The Castlevania Advance Collection brings four of the best games in one of the best series ever back to players in a solid package. Castlevania Advance Collection Review: Buy This Now

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