Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance
Rating: 3 of 5
Dissappointing
Rating: 3 of 5
Good game but terrible replay value
This is probably my least favorite Castlevania in the RPG series (this title, Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow, Symphony of the Night, Circle of the Moon, & Portrait of Ruin). The gameplay is just about as good as the other 5 games but due 2 the lack of new-game-plus (which means extras when you beat the game) this game is not easy 2 pick up once you beat it. the other problem (which is related 2 the lack of replay value) is that the game is hard & it is tough 2 figure out where 2 go next (which leaves players frustrated & want 2 throw out their GBA or DS out the window). this is why I give the overall rating of 3 stars. Each of the other ones have great replay values (like Circle of the moon has certain names you can choose so that you can have higher strength or magic or whater than when you first played the game without any secrets or Aria & Dawn of Sorrow have you keep your most powerful weapons even when you beat the game, Portait of Ruin had more weapons than just a whip, & even though Symphony of the Night didn't have the best secrets, it has great replay value & it's just that great of a game overall)
Even though it's still a good game, just think twice before you purchase this game. If you get the 2 in 1 game (this game & Aria of Sorrow), I guess that's a little different because there are 2 games in one cartridge & even if this game isn't played often, at least the cart gets a little more attention.
Even though it's still a good game, just think twice before you purchase this game. If you get the 2 in 1 game (this game & Aria of Sorrow), I guess that's a little different because there are 2 games in one cartridge & even if this game isn't played often, at least the cart gets a little more attention.
Rating: 4 of 5
Globally well made, but revisiting the same places over & over again can get tedious
This is the second Game boy advance castlevania game.
For those unfamiliar with the series, you play as a member of the Belmont family, which 4 some obscure reason is cursed & must fight Dracula each time the famous vampire reincarnates (which, given the number of episodes, must be pretty often). But Dracula is not readily accessible, & you'll first have 2 navigate his maze-like castle before you reach the place where you'll finally have an opportunity 2 teach the old gothic freak a lesson.
You move around like you do in your typical action/adventure, jumping on platforms, fighting a whole lot of different enemies, mostly of the undead or mythological kind. Your weapon, a whip, is really a trademark of the Castlevania games. But you also get these so-called sub-weapons, which are actually more classical weapons 4 bashing living deads, such as holy water, a bible or crucifix. There's even a magical system implemented, in which you combine these subweapons with magical tomes 2 create about 20 different effects.
The game is not purely action/adventure though: some role-playing elements have been added. By defeating monsters, your character gains experience and, when he has accumulated enough, will gain a level. Each time this happens, you become slightly stronger. There is also quite an extensive inventory of things you can equip, so much so that it becomes slightly difficult 2 manage once you reach the middle of the game.
The wide variety of monsters (over 100) is definitely one of the most attractive features of the game, even if their behaviour is 4 the most part very predictable. Bosses are also very predictable & overall, they're just very stupid & a breeze 2 beat. That's quite a major problem of the game: actually, the challenge lies more in determining where 2 go next than in fighting some tough baddies.
Like other games in the series, Harmony of dissonance gives you a good feeling of freedom in exploring the castle. Of course, at first your progression will be blocked by different obstacles, such as barriers too high 2 jump over or stone walls, but you later earn new moves or acquire new weapons that enable you 2 overcome them, opening yet more areas 4 your exploration. This, coupled with the very little guidance the game throws at you has its downside: you'll find yourself going back & forth the same areas over & over again, up 2 a point that it becomes a chore, especially when you reach a high enough level that the enemies encountered become too easy 2 present an interest. The fact that there are actually two parallel castles, sharing the same map, only with different enemies & overall graphical design, makes this problem even more serious. In an attempt 2 overcome this issue, the developers have introduced rooms where you can teleport 2 other such rooms, but they are far too scarcely distributed 2 be an effective cure 2 the problem.
Graphically, the game packs some nice style, with genuinely gothic & dark backgrounds. The castle does feel creepy, & that's certainly a good thing. Another pleasant recurring feature of the game is the giant bosses you have 2 fight, and, graphically at least, the game does not disappoint in this respect. The bosses are genuinely huge & really impressive 2 look at. The rest of the monsters also look decent. What is slightly disappointing, though, is the animation of your character, which is obviously made out of too few a number of frames. Your movements therefore lack smoothness. It only distracts in the first few minutes & you quickly get used 2 it, but still, it is difficult 2 understand why the designers would not put more effort into animating a sprite that remains on screen all the time. The monsters, on the other hand, are 4 the most part flawlessly animated.
The music has been described by a lot of reviewers as lacking, but frankly, it gets the job done decently. It's certainly not very successful at making you forget that it is just video game music (we know the GBA is capable of sounding more like « real music »), but it sets a nice mood & its retro touch will appeal 2 fans of a series that started on the NES.
The sound effects, on the other hand, are mostly unremarkable, lacking variety. At least they do not distract or irritate, but they remain pretty basic all the way through.
As far as value is concerned, given the overall lack of challenge, it won't take you that long 2 complete Harmony of Dissonance. And, because so much time is spent revisiting the same places over & over again, you may feel that the total time played has been artificially inflated.
As far as replay value goes, the developers made reasonable efforts 2 incite you 2 come back 2 the game. First, there are 3 different endings, & of course, the better ones are also the most challenging reach. Then, once the game is beaten, you gain access 2 a « boss rush mode », where you'll fight boss after boss, trying 2 complete the challenge in the shortest time possible. And finally, the game can be played again with an entirely different character when you enter special codes, but you'll have 2 read a gameguide 2 get knowledge of that fact because there is absolutely no hint at that feature in the game or manual. The question is: will you want 2 revisit the places you've already been through such a huge number of times ? My opinion if that you will not, at least not right away, but maybe after a couple of months have gone by.
Overall, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance looks really good & is certainly not bad value 4 money, but there are a couple of gameplay issues too serious 2 ignore. It's certainly worth playing, but those coming with the high expectations they have 4 anything bearing the name « castlevania » are in 4 some mild disappointment.
Graphics : 17/20
Sound/music : 13/20
Gameplay : 12/20
Lastability : 15/20
Subjective score : 13/20
Total : 70%
For those unfamiliar with the series, you play as a member of the Belmont family, which 4 some obscure reason is cursed & must fight Dracula each time the famous vampire reincarnates (which, given the number of episodes, must be pretty often). But Dracula is not readily accessible, & you'll first have 2 navigate his maze-like castle before you reach the place where you'll finally have an opportunity 2 teach the old gothic freak a lesson.
You move around like you do in your typical action/adventure, jumping on platforms, fighting a whole lot of different enemies, mostly of the undead or mythological kind. Your weapon, a whip, is really a trademark of the Castlevania games. But you also get these so-called sub-weapons, which are actually more classical weapons 4 bashing living deads, such as holy water, a bible or crucifix. There's even a magical system implemented, in which you combine these subweapons with magical tomes 2 create about 20 different effects.
The game is not purely action/adventure though: some role-playing elements have been added. By defeating monsters, your character gains experience and, when he has accumulated enough, will gain a level. Each time this happens, you become slightly stronger. There is also quite an extensive inventory of things you can equip, so much so that it becomes slightly difficult 2 manage once you reach the middle of the game.
The wide variety of monsters (over 100) is definitely one of the most attractive features of the game, even if their behaviour is 4 the most part very predictable. Bosses are also very predictable & overall, they're just very stupid & a breeze 2 beat. That's quite a major problem of the game: actually, the challenge lies more in determining where 2 go next than in fighting some tough baddies.
Like other games in the series, Harmony of dissonance gives you a good feeling of freedom in exploring the castle. Of course, at first your progression will be blocked by different obstacles, such as barriers too high 2 jump over or stone walls, but you later earn new moves or acquire new weapons that enable you 2 overcome them, opening yet more areas 4 your exploration. This, coupled with the very little guidance the game throws at you has its downside: you'll find yourself going back & forth the same areas over & over again, up 2 a point that it becomes a chore, especially when you reach a high enough level that the enemies encountered become too easy 2 present an interest. The fact that there are actually two parallel castles, sharing the same map, only with different enemies & overall graphical design, makes this problem even more serious. In an attempt 2 overcome this issue, the developers have introduced rooms where you can teleport 2 other such rooms, but they are far too scarcely distributed 2 be an effective cure 2 the problem.
Graphically, the game packs some nice style, with genuinely gothic & dark backgrounds. The castle does feel creepy, & that's certainly a good thing. Another pleasant recurring feature of the game is the giant bosses you have 2 fight, and, graphically at least, the game does not disappoint in this respect. The bosses are genuinely huge & really impressive 2 look at. The rest of the monsters also look decent. What is slightly disappointing, though, is the animation of your character, which is obviously made out of too few a number of frames. Your movements therefore lack smoothness. It only distracts in the first few minutes & you quickly get used 2 it, but still, it is difficult 2 understand why the designers would not put more effort into animating a sprite that remains on screen all the time. The monsters, on the other hand, are 4 the most part flawlessly animated.
The music has been described by a lot of reviewers as lacking, but frankly, it gets the job done decently. It's certainly not very successful at making you forget that it is just video game music (we know the GBA is capable of sounding more like « real music »), but it sets a nice mood & its retro touch will appeal 2 fans of a series that started on the NES.
The sound effects, on the other hand, are mostly unremarkable, lacking variety. At least they do not distract or irritate, but they remain pretty basic all the way through.
As far as value is concerned, given the overall lack of challenge, it won't take you that long 2 complete Harmony of Dissonance. And, because so much time is spent revisiting the same places over & over again, you may feel that the total time played has been artificially inflated.
As far as replay value goes, the developers made reasonable efforts 2 incite you 2 come back 2 the game. First, there are 3 different endings, & of course, the better ones are also the most challenging reach. Then, once the game is beaten, you gain access 2 a « boss rush mode », where you'll fight boss after boss, trying 2 complete the challenge in the shortest time possible. And finally, the game can be played again with an entirely different character when you enter special codes, but you'll have 2 read a gameguide 2 get knowledge of that fact because there is absolutely no hint at that feature in the game or manual. The question is: will you want 2 revisit the places you've already been through such a huge number of times ? My opinion if that you will not, at least not right away, but maybe after a couple of months have gone by.
Overall, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance looks really good & is certainly not bad value 4 money, but there are a couple of gameplay issues too serious 2 ignore. It's certainly worth playing, but those coming with the high expectations they have 4 anything bearing the name « castlevania » are in 4 some mild disappointment.
Graphics : 17/20
Sound/music : 13/20
Gameplay : 12/20
Lastability : 15/20
Subjective score : 13/20
Total : 70%
Rating: 5 of 5
Harmony of Dissonance
The ever lasting Castlevania series hit incredibly high on the GBA with the release of Circle of the Moon. Circle of the Moon being one of the best Castlevania games ever made (though, once again, nothing compares 2 Symphony of the Night). Harmony of Dissonance, the second of the GBA games, is also a fantastic game.
Castlevania almost never tells a different story. This time it's Juste Belmont out 2 defeat the evil count. Castlevania hasn't been about story so much as it's been about gameplay. Harmony of Dissonance certainly does have good gameplay.
Once again, Castlevania takes on a Metroid feel as you explore through the castle. Some areas can't be reached until you've got certain abilities & have defeated certain bosses, but 4 the most part, the game is highly non-linear. You can tackle the game in almost any order you feel.
Juste arms himself with a whip. It's the only weapon he uses. You can press & hold B & it'll dangle & you can control it, but you'll almost never need or use this move throughout the game. Juste can also use secondary weapons such as the Cross, Axe, Holy Water & Dagger. There are a few more than this, but these are the basics that have been in just about every Castlevania game. Now, however, you can combine them with different kinds of special magic books. While Juste can only carry one sub-weapon at a time, the results of combinging it with an elemental magic book is different. There aren't nearly as many combinations as the Circle of the Moon's DSS Card System, but it gives the game enough variety 2 the point where it isn't stale.
Harmony of Dissonance isn't a hard game. In fact, in comparison 2 Circle of the Moon, it's incredibly easy. Even the games bosses are not much of a challenge at all. It's a fun trip, but it's a lot easier than your standard Castlevania.
However, despite it's ease, the game looks absolutely fantastic. The GBA's power really shines with this game. The environments are decorative, & they're not quite as dark as Circle of the Moon's. The bosses & castle design also look refreshingly fantastic.
Then we get 2 the music. The music really should've been better, but 2 clear a couple of things up, I'll tell you why the music isn't a fault of this game. For one, if you disliked the music... good. You're NOT supposed 2 like this music. The subtitle of the game is, after all, Harmony of Dissonance. The music does a great job of giving the feeling of dissonance. It's easily demonstrated in how people negatively feel about the music. So the music IS horrible, but it isn't meant 2 be good. It's meant 2 give the feeling of dissonance & it succeeds simply because most people don't like it. So no, you're not supposed 2 like the music in this game. In fact, you're supposed 2 hate it. So the reviewers saying the music is terrible are absolutely right. But it's not supposed 2 be good.
Harmony of Dissonance is a great addition 2 the Castlevania series, but it really doesn't do much 2 separate it from others in the series.
The Good
+Fantastic visuals
+The music gives the feeling of dissonance
+A lot of variety 2 the gameplay
+Great bosses & exploration
The bad
-The music, as many have said... isn't good, but it's not supposed 2 be likeable
-It's way too easy
Castlevania almost never tells a different story. This time it's Juste Belmont out 2 defeat the evil count. Castlevania hasn't been about story so much as it's been about gameplay. Harmony of Dissonance certainly does have good gameplay.
Once again, Castlevania takes on a Metroid feel as you explore through the castle. Some areas can't be reached until you've got certain abilities & have defeated certain bosses, but 4 the most part, the game is highly non-linear. You can tackle the game in almost any order you feel.
Juste arms himself with a whip. It's the only weapon he uses. You can press & hold B & it'll dangle & you can control it, but you'll almost never need or use this move throughout the game. Juste can also use secondary weapons such as the Cross, Axe, Holy Water & Dagger. There are a few more than this, but these are the basics that have been in just about every Castlevania game. Now, however, you can combine them with different kinds of special magic books. While Juste can only carry one sub-weapon at a time, the results of combinging it with an elemental magic book is different. There aren't nearly as many combinations as the Circle of the Moon's DSS Card System, but it gives the game enough variety 2 the point where it isn't stale.
Harmony of Dissonance isn't a hard game. In fact, in comparison 2 Circle of the Moon, it's incredibly easy. Even the games bosses are not much of a challenge at all. It's a fun trip, but it's a lot easier than your standard Castlevania.
However, despite it's ease, the game looks absolutely fantastic. The GBA's power really shines with this game. The environments are decorative, & they're not quite as dark as Circle of the Moon's. The bosses & castle design also look refreshingly fantastic.
Then we get 2 the music. The music really should've been better, but 2 clear a couple of things up, I'll tell you why the music isn't a fault of this game. For one, if you disliked the music... good. You're NOT supposed 2 like this music. The subtitle of the game is, after all, Harmony of Dissonance. The music does a great job of giving the feeling of dissonance. It's easily demonstrated in how people negatively feel about the music. So the music IS horrible, but it isn't meant 2 be good. It's meant 2 give the feeling of dissonance & it succeeds simply because most people don't like it. So no, you're not supposed 2 like the music in this game. In fact, you're supposed 2 hate it. So the reviewers saying the music is terrible are absolutely right. But it's not supposed 2 be good.
Harmony of Dissonance is a great addition 2 the Castlevania series, but it really doesn't do much 2 separate it from others in the series.
The Good
+Fantastic visuals
+The music gives the feeling of dissonance
+A lot of variety 2 the gameplay
+Great bosses & exploration
The bad
-The music, as many have said... isn't good, but it's not supposed 2 be likeable
-It's way too easy
Rating: 3 of 5
Fun but falls flat on its face.
Sure the graphics are much more colorful than the last GBA Castlevania but the graphics & enemies look downright like cartoons in most parts.
Plus whats the deal with your main characters blue shadow?
I think that was a bit of a overkill.
And the magic system has been severely, & badly, toned down from the Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.
And the two identical castle system really lacks imagination & makes the game very very tedius near its end.
Exploring every area of the game TWICE does make the game longer but it definitely doesnt make it funner...
Plus whats the deal with your main characters blue shadow?
I think that was a bit of a overkill.
And the magic system has been severely, & badly, toned down from the Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.
And the two identical castle system really lacks imagination & makes the game very very tedius near its end.
Exploring every area of the game TWICE does make the game longer but it definitely doesnt make it funner...
($12.89)
Buy Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance Now!
With all that said i still enjoy this game, the boss rush mode is cool but is poorly implemented & given that most of the bosses suck it takes away from the fun. if you have already played circle of the moon & aria of sorrow & need more castlevania joy this is a great game, but ultimatly i must recommend those two games before i recommend this one as it just lacks some of the things that made castlevania so great.