October Retro Community Playthrough - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

[Duke.Togo]

I'm sad to say this, but it looks like I won't have time to join in on this one. It's a fantastic game, and you are all in for a treat (or trick).

[Boshamp]

The soundtrack, people...take time to enjoy the background noise when you enter new areas. So good.

[ReddMcKnight]

Game beaten at 3:01 AM on October 2nd!

If your wonder how I did it so quick, no, I did not cheat. I will reveal how I did it as the month goes on.

[GrayGhost81]

I tried to go up and over to get to the parakeet boss, but I think I need the double jump to pass the part with the giant skull heads, and you only get the double jump after beating that boss, coming in from the left. So quite simply I'm pretty sure I was doing it right in the first place, but the combination of me not being very good at this game and whatever level I was at at the time made it very difficult. I'm going to try again tonight, as I'm a much higher level now.

I'm really enjoying the game though.

[singlebanana]

Get inspired:

[retrosportsgamer]

What's the trick to playing as Richter again?

[singlebanana]

What's the trick to playing as Richter again?

Enter his name at start-up me thinks.

[ReddMcKnight]

What's the trick to playing as Richter again?

Enter his name at start-up me thinks.

This is half-correct, my good Banana.

You have to beat the game with Alucard once to use Richter. Entering his name alone is not enough. On the Saturn Version, however, you can just pick him any time.

[singlebanana]

What's the trick to playing as Richter again?

Enter his name at start-up me thinks.

This is half-correct, my good Banana.

You have to beat the game with Alucard once to use Richter. Entering his name alone is not enough. On the Saturn Version, however, you can just pick him any time.

Thanks for the correction. I was misinformed.

[GrayGhost81]

Alright I beat that damned bird. It was in fact very easy once I learned you can duck under his attacks.

Got the leap stone and zapped back over to the big skull head area. Saved and put it down for the night. I like to save where I have something that I know I can do the next time I fire up the game.

[Boshamp]

So...I beat this last night. only to 200.5% though, but still...it is too intense to put down. Anyone want to compare a speed run with me since I will be running it a few more times? The XBLA version allows you to see when you hit certain checkpoints in the game...get a little friendly competish going if anyone else that has already played this game before is interested. Redd, you beat it quick, you down?

A couple things I tracked before going all insomniac and beating were the beginning to the outer wall. Was able to get 2 heart max boosts and a life max before getting to the outer wall. The game does give you some freedom of exploration without having the right tools for the job to get past certain things, which is awesome for changing the experience on each playthrough. Did anyone farm a lot of money to buy anything crazy at the library?

Used a trick to get through the start quickly after reaching the outer wall. I won't spoil it, but I will give a cryptic hint:
"Stand on the Pot Roast"

[Duke.Togo]

Redd, did you use Maria? She is crazy overpowered in that version.

[techwizard]

Redd, did you use Maria? She is crazy overpowered in that version.

i didn't know you could play as Maria, that seems like a spoiler...

[Boshamp]

That is just the Saturn version. Maria (as well as a few others) are playable straight from the start if memory serves...

[ReddMcKnight]

Redd, did you use Maria? She is crazy overpowered in that version.

Actually, I find her quite weak. Nonetheless, I did not. Here's a hint:

Spoiler (hover to show)

Luck had everything to do with it.