Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Game Overview

If Castlevania: Symphony of the NightReleased on the PlayStation in 1997, this game, while not hugely successful in the U.S. at the time, went on to become on the most beloved titles in the Castlevania series. established what the Castlevania series could do, and Castlevania: Circle of the MoonThe second Metroidvania-style game in the franchise, Circle of the Moon was developed by the KCET team within Konami, who had previously developed the much beloved Super Castlevania IV. Although not considered a perfect game by fans, this Game Boy Advance title did show that there was much that could be done with the Metroidvania mechanics in the series beyond Symphony of the Night. showed that the formula could be repeated to great effect, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (titled Castlevania Byakuya no Concerto in Japan, translated as "Castlevania: White Night Concerto" or "Castlevania: Concerto of the Midnight Sun") established that, yes, this is where the series would be going for the foreseeable future. The games, as far as Konami was concerned, were going to be varying shades of the MetroidvaniaAt the intersection of Metroid and Castlevania lies the exploration platformer genre, the game style with heroes wandering expansive worlds, looking for items to expand their quest, known as Metroidvania. formula going forward. And, they were going to be overseen by Symphony producer Koji Igarashi.

As Koji Igarashi's first title back in charge of the series (after other teams handled Castlevania: LegendsThe third and final Castlevania game for the diminutive Game Boy, this title took players all the way back to the (at the time) origins of the clan to follow the adventures of Sonia Belmont., Castlevania for the Nintendo 64After a number of titles for non-Nintendo systems, Castlevania’s return should have been marked by much love and enjoyment from the fans. Sadly the first version of the game on Nintendo’s 64-bit console was a flawed game, interesting in places but not the kind of game fans were clamoring for in 1999., and Castlevania: Circle of the Moon), the director wanted to take the game back to what worked in Symphony of the Night. Reportedly not happy with the changes production team KCEK made to the formula (which is why Circle of the Moon was removed from continuity, at least for a time), Igarashi (who soon would take on the moniker "IGA") wanted to show how his version of the series would work on the Game Boy Advance. While this game does share having a whip-wielding hero in the lead role, this is a game that very much mirrors all the things IGA liked in his title.

Taking place in the span of years after Simon BelmontThe first hero of the Castlevania series (by release date), he's been featured in more games, and referenced more times, than almost any other character in the series.'s multiple battles against Dracula (two or three depending on who you consult), Harmony of Dissonance follows the exploits of Juste BelmontGrandson of Simon Belont, and grandfather to Richter, Juste wields both the power of the Belmont clan and the magic of the Belnades family. Juste has to put his considerable power to the test when Dracula’s castle reappears, all on a quest to help his friend Maxim find their missing companion, Lydie., heir to the clan and grandson of Simon. When the feared, dark castle appears in the moors, Juste goes to investigate, but what he finds there could lead to one of the biggest Castlevania adventures yet. It's an adventure that will span two castles and will suck in not only Juste but his friends Lydie ErlangerGood friend, and potential love interest, of hero Juste Belmont, Lydie's mysterious disappearance, coinciding with the arrival of Dracula's Castle, is the event that kicks of Juste's adventure in the series. and Maxim KischineRival and friend of hero Juste Belmont, Maxim ventures off on his own to prove himself a hero, but ends up returning with a dark secret right as Castle Dracula returns... as well.

Although the game takes a fair bit of inspiration from Symphony of the Night, Harmony of Dissonance does take a few nods from the previous GBA game as well. Juste plays like a hybrid of the two styles of the previous games, with his general appearance feeling more like AlucardOne of three heroes recruited by Trevor Belmont on his quest to defeat Dracula, Alucard was the son of Dracula who turned from his fathers evil, battling against his cursed family line again and again. (in style and in the blue glow that follows him), while his moves, via his whip, the Vampire KillerThe legendary whip charged with holy magic and created for the Belmont clan to aid in their fight against the forces of darkness. It has been the constant, reliable weapon of the clan through the many generations of their battles. Strong against vampires., and magical abilities feel much more derived from Nathan GravesApprentice to the Morris Clan, one-time protectors of the famed Belmont whip, the Vampire Killer. When the followers of Dracula threaten to bring the vampire back, Nathan has to take up the whip and not only stop Dracula but also save his master from the vampire's clutches.. And, of course, the game took one valuable bit of information from Circle of the Moon: with the Game Boy Advance lacking a back-light (at least at the time), the game's graphics had to be brighter.

Despite being a return of IGA to the franchise, as well as him placing his style of Metroidvania on the series, not everyone was impressed with the game. It was very bright (emphasis on pastel colors to appear brighter on the GBA screen), a tad confusing (with the difficulty exploring two parallel castles at once), and maybe a bit too much of the same thing as was just released in the previous adventure. Where Circle of the Moon was praised for its game play at the time, leading to sales of over a million units worldwide, Harmony barely made a fifth of that and was something of a disappointment to the Japanese home office (as per IGA's own statements). This was not the lustrous continuation of the franchise Konami wanted at the time, so IGA had to go back to the drawing board again.

In retrospect, with the distance of years since its release, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance is an interesting, if flawed, little title. The criticisms of the game are fair, even now, but it does also have its charms. It might not be as good of a Metroidvania as what came before (or since), but it is enjoyable enough in its own right. A fair middle title that doesn't compare as well when you look at all the awesome games to come out around it.

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