The original Japanese version of Castlevania Symphony of the Night, an absolute masterpiece and one of the greatest games ever made. Labyrinthine exploration, deep RPG elements, sublime art direction and legendary soundtrack. The definitive Metroidvania, still unsurpassed today.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player12+
Description
Japanese version of the Castlevania masterpiece where Alucard, son of Dracula, explores his father's vampiric castle. Action-adventure by Konami, released in 1997 in Japan. Metroidvania-style explorable map, RPG classes, full voice acting, extended intro FMV and Michiru Yamane's orchestral score. Native Japanese edition.
Akumajou Dracula X - Gekka no Yasoukyoku review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
2/5
Music
★★★★★
"Decent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Exploring the castle at will, unlocking powers and passages, watching your character grow stronger as in an RPG: the formula founded a whole genre. The precise movement, the wealth of the arsenal and the joy of searching remain exemplary in their fluidity. The sumptuous 2D has barely aged, and the balance between action and progression is still a model.
The Japanese version of Symphony of the Night, the cornerstone of what became the Metroidvania genre. This edition departs from the Western releases through its original voice cast and presentation details that purists hunt down. Beyond the title's cult status, the draw lies in this specifically Japanese identity and its pivotal place in Castlevania history, which sustains steady, cross-generational demand.
Memorable bosses
Deep in a sprawling gothic castle, the guardians draw on a wildly rich bestiary: Death scything his blades, the colossal Legion swarming with the damned, or Dracula himself. Each tests your swordplay as much as your RPG-style gear management. This inventive gallery, carried by a baroque atmosphere, has marked generations of players hungry for exploration.
A cult cover
Under the title "Gekka no Yasoukyoku," Ayami Kojima delivers a painted portrait of Alucard of almost baroque elegance: pale face, flowing hair, ornate drapery against a dark ground. The finesse of the line and the dusky tones convey the castle's gothic, melancholy soul. Refined and venomous, it ranks among the most beautiful illustrations of the PlayStation era.
Is Akumajou Dracula X - Gekka no Yasoukyoku still worth playing in 2026?
Akumajou Dracula X - Gekka no Yasoukyoku is the original Japanese version of Castlevania - Symphony of the Night, Konami's absolute masterpiece and one of the greatest games ever made. Labyrinthine metroidvania exploration, deep RPG with levelling and equipment, Ayami Kojima's sublime art direction and Michiru Yamane's legendary score make for an experience of rare elegance. An absolute peak.
