Topic: Aria-Cotm-HoD which is best?

[Alutwon]

*Before you judge me (lol) note that I am not a fanboy in fact I know that HoD is a poor castlevania title but it gives me a nostalgic feeling every time I play it.*

HoD is actually very different from the other 2. CotM is a lot of fun if you like the old school games. Aria is overshadowed by Dawn now but play it if you want the story.

[Giz]

Except that HoD isn't a poor Castlevania title. Honestly, I find the bias here against HoD and for COTM to be absolutely hilarious.

[Profbeanburrito]

Except that HoD isn't a poor Castlevania title. Honestly, I find the bias here against HoD and for COTM to be absolutely hilarious.

Its not a bias it's a matter of opinion. Just because you like it, doesn't mean everyone has to. HoD is my least favorite CV game. It doesn't stand out at all to me. I don't like the levels, I don't like the characters, except Juste, the music is weak. I just don't care for it much. But that is my opinion, not a bias towards it. Not everyone is going to agree with you all the time.

Tell me, what is your least favorite CV game? Then we'll see how "biased" you are

[Giz]

Except the "opinion" is basically held forum-wide here.

My least favorite is by far Circle of the Moon. The game's awkward physics and control scheme, the bland castle, the awful bestiary, the graphics themselves, the obnoxious music, awful enemy AI, the lack of artistic inspiration, etc. etc.

The whole game is nothing but a chore.

[A n t r a x x]

CotM.

[darklordcandidate]

In my opinion, Aria of Sorrow pretty much came out the winner here. I guess i'll just get that one...

[DingusBelmondo]

  I have a soft spot for Harmony. It seemed so strange and creepy. Dissonant and bizarre music, exciting and detailed environments, weird enemies. It all seemed more inspired (despite being a direct symphony rip off). It gave off a vibe I really like. Also, it has some of my favorite castlevania bosses. I just think it's a more exciting castle to explore.

[Giz]

You know, I really liked your post and was actually going to post 'wow, we actually agree on something'...

...until you said:

(despite being a direct symphony rip off)

Which simply isn't true. The only unique similarities it shares are;
EXP gain system.
Selling jewels/No selling items.
Menu system style.
Center castle elevator Drac room.
"Second" castle. Though almost every Castlevania has had an additional area of game along this same thought process (although usually post-bad ending. Not to mention that, compared to the inverted Castle, the Castle A/B system is completely different and actually interest.

Despite those (relatively minor) similarities, the game still plays entirely differently, has a radically different atmosphere and style, etc. etc.

Honestly, I would say (out of the GBA trilogy) AoS feels more like SOTN then Harmony even if only because of the non-Belmont character with large array of weapons to choose from motif.

[jimmay17]

They all have some pretty serious flaws that would keep me from recommending them to someone that hasn't played them yet unreservedly.

CoTM has an unimaginative graphics scheme, bad level design, and a marginal storyline.

HoD has vastly improved art design in every respect except it's too bright and cartoonish, has long, tedious stretches of unused level space that makes backtracking a horrible chore, and is too similar to SoTN for comfort (i.e. feels lazy)

AoS is probably the most well-rounded of the three, with better graphics and art, a better balance between sound and graphics quality, and an innovative soul system, but overall feels a little off, owing to the bizarre premise set in modernity.

I guess of the three, I really would have to say Aria, although I personally have revisited Harmony more than the other two, which perhaps attests to its lower difficulty and ease of completion.

[A n t r a x x]

Everytime I try to revisit Harmony or Aria...

I get bored.

Harmony, mostly because of the often grating soundtrack, the awful sprites and the cakewalk bosses. Maxim and the overlayed castle concept were cool though.

Aria, because the Study and most of the first few areas (sans the Entrance Hall) are sooooooo yawn-inducing, and because the castle layout is not very inviting. The deep soul system eventually balances the fun factor, though. But that's only if you didn't level too much while collecting said souls.

CotM has control issues, some level design snafus and some useless card combos, but it also had a fantastic nostalgic soundtrack, a classic badass protagonist, and, most importantly, a WORTHY DIFFICULTY. Because I actually felt threatened by many of the monsters and traps of CotM, it drove me to want to become stronger and thus search out the castle's secrets and upgrades.

[corneliab]

I have extremely fond memories of Aria of Sorrow. I was utterly captivated by it the whole way through. The music, atmosphere, plot, castle design... it was all so interesting. One of my favorite GBA games ever, alongside Mother 3 and Mario & Luigi.

CotM comes in second for me. It was actually the first Castlevania I've ever played, and it was a joy to run through. It was challenging without being impossibly daunting. The Castle was dark, gigantic, and filled to the brim with secrets, and the high-quality music complemented every area extremely well (they were mostly remixes, but very good ones at that). The game also has some of my favorite boss battles in the series.

HoD comes in dead last. The castle is a hodgepodge mess with very little in terms of secrets. Though the graphics are high-powered they are inconsistant, and many things in the game just end up looking ugly and contrasting as a result (character sprites and animations, certain enviroments like the caves). Throw in an all-too similar alternate castle and poor music quality, and you have a game that is mediocre all around. It's not horrible, though it's certainly my least favorite out of the bunch.

[gravekeeper]

I would love to see a remake of Harmony of Dissonance. It's just something about its atmosphere and feeling that gets me dragged into it. It seems so mystical and freakish.
However, it is easy to admit it has flaws, mostly related to graphics and sound. I like the magic book system, that allows your subweapons to turn into spells, and I like the character designs, but it's poorly presented through poorly designed sprites.

And thus, I would love to see a remake of HoD, to see what it "could" look like presented in its best way possible.

So if you're not picky with graphics and sound quality I definately recommend Harmony of Dissonance.

[Giz]

Actually, the sound is suberb; the instruments used benefit the soundtrack and atmosphere best. It quite simply could not attain the same thing were it to use actual samples.

[Archdemon]

aria is definitely best in my opinion, the story is the most imaginative. and the chaotic realm is beyond awesome. like, you step out into some rooms, and end up in the center of a swirling vortex of space.

however, i really reckon HoD gets too much of a rap, its not that bad, and i agree with StriderKumori, it gives me a nostalgic feeling when i play it. some music tracks are kind of imaginative e.g. successor of fate, chapel of dissonance.

[darklordcandidate]

Well, all of your input sounded great. Which is why I got the double pack and my brother got COTM since he likes challenges. Thanks for helping with my decision, guys!