Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: Konami
- Full Name: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- Release Date: June 11, 2001
- Released on: Game Boy Advance (part of the Advance Collection)
- Cross Play: No
Initial thoughts
Playing Castlevania: Circle of the Moon as part of the Castlevania Advance Collection brought back waves of nostalgia. This game was a major part of my childhood, and reliving it has only reaffirmed my love for it. Even though Konami retconned it from the official timeline, I firmly believe it deserves to be considered a vital part of the Castlevania legacy. Nathan Graves stands as one of the most stylish protagonists in the series, and it’s a shame that this gem has been sidelined.
Story and setting
Plot overview
The story in Circle of the Moon offers a fresh perspective, separate from the Belmont clan’s traditional narrative. Nathan Graves, an apprentice vampire hunter, must rescue his mentor and confront Dracula, who has once again risen from the depths. The stakes are high, and Nathan’s journey feels intense and personal as he navigates a massive, eerie castle filled with all manner of supernatural foes.
World building and immersion
The world-building in Circle of the Moon remains one of the game’s strongest aspects. The sprawling, interconnected castle creates a sense of progression and mystery as you unlock new areas and abilities. There’s a great atmosphere of dread and danger, as well as an unspoken story told through the gothic design and haunting music.
Character development
Nathan Graves isn’t just a Belmont knockoff; he’s his own character with a unique fighting style and story. He’s stoic, determined, and a master of his emotions, showcasing a calm resilience in the face of Dracula’s horrors. Nathan’s mentor, Morris, and rival, Hugh Baldwin, also add intriguing layers to the plot.
Emotional impact
For a game released on the Game Boy Advance, Circle of the Moon delivers some surprisingly emotional moments. The dynamic between Nathan and Hugh gives weight to their confrontations, and the story of an apprentice stepping up to become a hero is both relatable and inspiring.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with an 8.5
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
The game boasts classic Castlevania mechanics with a few unique twists. It features the tried-and-true formula of platforming, exploration, and combat that the series is known for, with a level of difficulty that old-school fans will appreciate. One of the standout features is the Dual Set-up System (DSS), which lets Nathan combine various cards to unlock a wide array of abilities, attacks, and enhancements. This system adds a layer of depth and strategy to the combat, allowing you to experiment and find combinations that suit their playstyle.
Difficulty and balance
This game isn’t easy, and that’s part of its charm. The difficulty curve feels old-school, providing a challenging experience without feeling unfair. Grinding for experience and discovering new DSS combinations is both rewarding and essential for survival.
Pacing of the game
The game’s pacing is solid, with a good mix of exploration and intense combat. Unlocking new areas of the castle feels like a natural progression, and there’s always a sense of forward momentum.
Innovation and uniqueness
For its time, Circle of the Moon was innovative, with the DSS mechanic and interconnected castle design offering a more layered experience than earlier Castlevania titles. It set the stage for future games on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.
Controls and user interface
The controls are tight and responsive, which is crucial in a game with such precise platforming and challenging enemies. The UI is straightforward and easy to navigate, allowing players to switch between DSS combinations and manage their inventory seamlessly.
Microtransactions
There are no microtransactions in this new collection of old games, which is a relief in this era of monetized content. Circle of the Moon remains a pure experience from start to finish.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 9
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
While the graphics may not hold up to modern standards, they were top-notch for the Game Boy Advance era. The character sprites and enemy designs are detailed and varied, and the castle’s visual design is wonderfully eerie. The dim color palette and moody environments evoke a perfect gothic atmosphere.
Technical performances
The game runs smoothly, even in the more hectic combat scenarios. The only technical gripe might be the somewhat dark visuals on older handheld devices, but this isn’t an issue when playing on modern screens through the Advance Collection.
Environment and design uniqueness
The castle design is intricate and encourages exploration. Each area has its own distinct visual identity and atmosphere, creating a sense of wonder and anticipation as you progress.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 7.5
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The soundtrack is classic Castlevania, with haunting melodies and pulse-pounding tunes that elevate the game’s atmosphere. Each track fits perfectly with its corresponding area, enhancing the sense of exploration and dread.
Sound effects quality
The sound effects are crisp and satisfying, from the crack of Nathan’s whip to the monstrous roars of Dracula’s minions. They contribute to the immersive experience without being overbearing.
Voice Acting
There isn’t traditional voice acting, but this doesn’t detract from the experience. The narrative is conveyed effectively through dialogue boxes and visual storytelling.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 9
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
The game is substantial for a handheld title, offering a full, engaging experience without overstaying its welcome. The castle is large and packed with secrets to uncover, rewarding those who explore thoroughly.
Extra Content
There are multiple unlockable modes that offer new challenges and encourage replayability. Once you’ve mastered the game, you can attempt harder difficulty modes and experiment with different builds using the DSS system.
Replay value
Circle of the Moon is highly replayable thanks to its rewarding exploration, challenging difficulty, and the many different card combinations to experiment with. It’s a game that keeps you coming back for more, even after you’ve completed it.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Circle of the Moon with an 8.5
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
- A modern remake or remaster with updated visuals and controls would be fantastic.
- Integrating this game back into the official timeline would be a great way to honor its place in the series.
Comparisons
Compared to other games in the Castlevania series, Circle of the Moon holds up well in terms of atmosphere, gameplay, and music. It’s on par with entries like Aria of Sorrow and Symphony of the Night, offering a unique and satisfying take on the classic formula. Removing it from the official timeline feels like a disservice to both Nathan Graves and the fans who loved his adventure.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
I love how Nathan seems to be the only capable person in this game, as everyone else seems to be overwhelmed by the darkness. He’s portrayed as a calm, collected protagonist, which suits his journey well. The DSS card system is a standout feature, giving players the freedom to experiment with different abilities and discover powerful combinations. It’s a system that rewards creativity and exploration, which is what the best Castlevania games are all about.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Little Kitty Big City, I give it a personal rating of 9,5
Last words
Pros
- Engaging and challenging gameplay
- Deep and rewarding DSS card system
- Fantastic atmospheric soundtrack
- Immersive castle design that encourages exploration
- Tight, responsive controls
- Great replayability with unlockable modes and secrets
- Varied enemy designs and memorable boss encounters
- Smooth technical performance with no noticeable issues
- Nathan Graves is a compelling protagonist with a unique style
- Excellent progression system that rewards exploration
- Gothic art style and mood-enhancing visuals
- A solid narrative with intriguing characters and lore
Cons
- Dark visuals can be challenging on older devices
It’s honestly ridiculous that Castlevania: Circle of the Moon was removed from the series timeline. Nathan Graves brings style and substance to the Castlevania mythos, proving that heroes don’t always have to be Belmonts. This game stands as a classic example of the series’ ability to innovate and expand beyond its established formulas. If you’re a fan of Castlevania, this entry deserves your attention and respect.
FINAL RATING
9
Please let me know what you think of Castlevania Circle of the Moon in the comments!
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One of the best castlevania for the older systems. I strongly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the series.
Indeed! Play it!
Old school games like this are often quite hard. Nice that you liked it soo much.
The difficulty was fun!
Seems a good GBA game, during the time I played on that console didn’t know about Castlevania yet
Played it on the Advance collection!
My only experience with the Castlevania series was playing Aria of Sorrow and then abandoning it halfway through…
With that said, I enjoyed what I played of it, so I would love at some point to go back to finish it, and also to try the others in the series! Great review as always! 😀
Play more Castlevania!
The wind demon sure looks like he wants to avenge this brethren from some actions of Link from Zelda 😀
Indeed, lol!
That’s a good evaluation!🐑
I’ve been mostly doing subspecies and haven’t really done much of the main stream, so I do want to try it out, lol.
You should play it!
Amazing game design
I have to agree!
Can Proudly say I have played the game!
Good to hear!
Can Proudly say I have played the game!
old but gold game.
Indeed!
Great review! Will do a playthrough of the series someday 🙂
Good to hear!
The graphics style is not quite for me but it looks like it has an amazing metroidvania system!
It is an old game!
Thanks for review, as i was reading i though it be a lovely game. From Konami i most well know Pro Evolution Soccer (and Winning 11) series, i spend really a huge number of time in those games (previously playing FIFA from EA sports but at some point discovered Konami (who wanted to make it more a simulation then only arcade game) is better, of course there was major fight between fans which one is better, with FIFA having much better marketing in our region/west and offical licensed. Ok offtop already too much but good time with one of their games 😉 To add more to the offtop i remember one of Witcher anime netflix (i think about young Vesemir) movies was made by someone doing Castelvania too. Ok time to see the video review.
Spent*, official licenses*, had a good time* – sry for small mistakes
I hope you enjoy the video!
Looks like an interesting GBA title that I might want to try out.
You should buy the advance collection!
This one is so old, and yet so good. To think it was released for GBA!
Very wide skill set, which makes it a true metroidvania, not just vania. 😀
You have a lot of skills to choose from!
yeah, that dual set-up system can be a bit tricky to get used to, but it’s looks worth it.
It is!
This review is good! I like this genre and all games from the Castlevania series.
Play more Castlevania!