Topic: SoTN Port/Emulation Reviews

[KaZudra]

Today We'll be Looking at Symphony of the Night, and all of it's ports, and better yet, emulators and how well they make you experience.
The Ports we'll be looking at are...

• PSX\PSN
• Saturn
• Xbox360
• PSP

Let's Start with the Original, PSX version released in '97, This was an obvious milestone for both IGA and Konami as they release the only castlevania game fans can agree that is good (just kidding), This will cover the PSone, PS2, PSN, and both popular emulators, EPSXE, and PCSX-R
Pros:

• Original Game
• Can be played on PSP
• PSN version includes screen size and Bilinear Filter
• Groovy pink outlines for Frozen shades (PS2)

Cons:

• Has to be run in Software mode (EPSXE)
• MAJOR aspect Issues (EPSXE)
• Missing Content from Japanese version
• Have to force v-sync (PSX-R) or have super fast game at 1000fps

EPSXE can handle this game with no problem, if you press one of the F-Keys, it'll switch to software mode to render the game more accurately, but I highly suggest playing in a 4:3 resolution ONLY, EPSXE is very retarded when it comes to Aspect ratio especially with this game, as for PCSX-R, you can use any plugin, at the trade of compatibility, luckly this game works just fine.

Now we Can move to the Saturn version, a port with add-on content such as more enemies, music, stages, and Playable characters, all playable from the start.
The Emulator of choice is Yabause, I will try it on SSF and update this section.
Pros:

• Additional Content!
• Music Tracks are better quality, some loop better
• Playable Maria and Richter, and alternate Costume Richter (Hold up when selecting) from very start
• have a 3rd hand solely for consumables

Cons:

• Graphically the worst port, doesn't support transparency and other effects
• Load times are longer
• Japanese language only
• Underground Garden is Pretty Mediocre in terms of both stage design and enemies
• Frame-rate issues a plenty (Yabause)

Emulator-wise, Saturn is one of those "no-no" areas, few people actually want anything to do with saturn and most devs for the emulators are japanese, of course Yabause has frame-rate issues but is playable, I remember SSF being better but requires mounting or burning.


Now for the Xbox Version, It's Just Different enough to put on the List.
Pros:

• Achievements
• Adjustable Screen and Filters

Cons:

• Pretty much an exact port of the PSX version
• I am the Wind changed to Admiration of the Clan

The 360 version is basically an emulator, but at least you bought it (again most likely)

Last but not least, the PSP version Packaged with the Dracula X Chronicles, aside from the PSN version, this version is easy to find and buy, this version restores the missing Japanese content as well as adding a new playable character and feature completely re-done dialogue and voice acting, This and the Saturn version often are argued on which is the "best" port.
Emulator-wise, PPSSPP will be the emulator of choice being accessible via both Android (untested) and PC.
Pros:

• Completely Rewritten Dialogue with new voice actors
• Selectable Voices En/Jp
• Japanese Familiars uncut from this version
• Maria playable, Plays more like RoB than the Saturn Version
• Adjustable Volume (PPSSPP)
• Joystick or D-Pad movement (Must be selected in DXC options)
• Closest to 16:9 ratio without noticable stretching

Cons:

• Lacks Saturn Content
• Must play DXC to Unlock

PPSSPP Handles this game like a dream, with very very minor graphic errors (Rainbow static on black loading screens (Usually before bosses), Terta Spirit Portal is static) with adjustable audio for SFX and BGM alone Ranks this very high, and best yet, if you used Cwcheat on PSP, you can import cheats for the super-fun 999 Luck runs.

Final Thoughts
The PSP Version to me is the best, It's perfect in a sense, Saturn Comes at no.2, but the Original Version is at the highest value since it is the original.

[GuyStarwind]

I've only played the PSP and PS versions and I also have to say the PSP version is the superior game. The only gripes I have about it aren't really that big of a deal but they're big to me all the same. I don't like how Richter says hydro storm, I miss the bible reference at the end, and I think it would be fun if they threw in the Saturn areas. Once again they're more personal issues. I also think the new VA is good. It's still has that cheeseball to it but I think they actors do a better job. For example if you choose to kill Richter it actually sounds like he's dying. You hear him breathing heavily and his speech slows down. I thought Alucards new VA did a better job of what I imagined the character to sound like. I feel the extra modes and item and whatnot are nice to have too.

Fun fact(well,not really): I played the PSP version before the original and when I played the original I thought Maria was going to fight me for the holy glasses. I was let down that she doesn't.

[uzo]

I have played four versions, and also have a future recommendation for everyone. I will not be reviewing any emulated versions however.

PSX/Xbox360:
Both being the same version basically, minus the ending theme getting changed (for the better) on the 360. The original, played in it's intended format; The big screen of a TV. Hard to top it just based on the ability to play it on the big screen. Not much else to say about it.


Saturn:
(commonly referred to as Nocturne in the Moonlight)
Having the rare chance to play this, I can say it's interesting and kind of crappy at the same time. Basically, its a dulled down experience of the original due to lesser graphics, more slowdown, and more more frequent and intrusive loading points.

While the game does have additional content such as new areas and new enemies, most of this content is poorly copy pasted elements from other parts of the game. ANy brand new graphics are extremely poorly drawn. In addition, the rendition of Maria present here lacks almost any spirit of the original character, feels rushed and sloppy, and poorly tested.

It is worth mentioning that this version of the game was handled by a DIFFERENT team. This explains the vast quality difference between the original and the added content.

Overall this version isn't really worth tracking down, though I have to admit it's nice to play around with it to see the differences. If ytou didn't have a PS1 at the time and had a Saturn instead, it would have been great to get. However with so many other versions readily available now on multiple platforms, I can't really recommend the lengths you have to go to to play it.


PSP:
This is what I would consider the 'definitive' edition, and my current best reocmendation. It runs perfectly, has some more options, and has Maria also playable in arguably a much better form.

While it lacks the new areas of the castle that were present in the Saturn version (for the better, see above), it would have been nice to see them reimagined or completely redone to their original intent. I can respect the decision not to include them at the very least. It would have tarnished the product in my opinion.

Maria is also a playable character in this game, as mentioned above. However, she is completely different than the playable Maria from the Saturn version. This one for the PSP release is much more faithful to her original character and abilities. I particularly enjoyed it more than Saturn's overall, it felt like it was perhaps lacking some special moves in comparison. Keeping the flying run kick at least would have been nice as a comparable ability to Richter's slide kick.

One complaint I do have is the new voice work through. WHile the actors are technically better than the ones of the original release, the re translation of the lines was really bad. You can't imagine it getting worse than the original, but somehow they managed it. I would have at least liked an option to set it back to the original. Including the japanese original would have been nice too.

As a side note there are a couple of fun, but not game breaking, glitches that are only in this version.

The other complaint I have is that this edition is a handheld port. The bright side is some editions of the PSP had the ability to output to a TV. The bad part is, the output kinda sucks pretty bad, with excessive letterboxing. This leads us to the future recommendation...


Future Recommendation
PS Vita TV + PSP SotN
The PS Vita TV is a stand alone console version of the PS Vita made for TV's. It should be able to play PSP classic titles just like the original PS Vita, and do so without it looking strange or having excessive letterboxing like the PSP had. It also lets you use a PS3 controller with it, to guarantee it'll feel like the original and avoid handheld gaming hand cramps for our large handed gamers out there.

I will buy a PS Vita TV just to make this happen if it works as I expect.

[crisis]

no one here has played the sotn Tiger Handheld port?

[uzo]

no one here has played the sotn Tiger Handheld port?

I own two copies (found one in a park), but nothing to speak of. Then again you got five of them. I guess you liked it a little at least?

[X]

I've only ever played two version of this title; SOTN PS1 and SOTN PSP. The PSP version I find to be the better of the two. I actually don't mind the english voice acting here as it's done better I feel, and they also do the voice acting for the redone version of Rondo as well as the ported game Rondo. The voice actor for Maria I feel does well to change her pitch in order to accommodate both the 12 year old Maria and the 17 year old Maria. The voice actor of both Richter and Alucard are more into character then their original counterparts were. And yes, even the death cries were much better presented. Dracula was good too as he wasn't very different then the original voice actor. I didn't mind the newer script either as it seems to flow more smoothly, especially with the Succubus script sounding more erotic which is of her very nature. I would have liked to see the saturn stages restored, but like uzo had mentioned, have them redone to better fit the theme they are presenting. And also have them larger too so as they aren't so short to blast through. I also liked the inclusion of a playable Maria unfortunately (and this is my biggest problem with this version) is she's way too underpowered. Her most powerful abilities pale against the weakest attacks of either Alucard or Richter. It's because of this that I've yet to beat the game playing as her. She's just too weak. I never had tried the Saturn version and after what I've seen in the screenshots and play through demos, I don't have any real desire to. Overall the PSP version has my vote.

[Flame]

I emulated it on EPSXE I believe- never noticed any issues,

Then bought it on Xbox live. It's awkward playing it with the Xbox controller if only for the d pad and joystick being the way they are.

[Kale]

Have you tried using psX? I really like that for an emulator, it's simple and works great as far as I can remember.

[Gunlord]

Nice reviews, Kaziz and Uzo. I think I might get a PSVITA TV too...

[derision]

Something I've always found strange about the 360 version is that the crumbled castle background before the credits is all horribly mangled. Think it might be the same on the PS3, but I might be remembering incorrectly. I wonder what exactly is the cause for this? I don't think any other backgrounds went through the blender in transition...

The 360 version got a patch to restore those sword guys in the clocktower their proper functionality, but I don't think this issue was ever fixed.