Play as Soma Cruz and command demonic powers in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow on GBA. Explore Dracula’s castle, absorb enemy souls, and unleash new abilities in this classic Metroidvania action-RPG adventure.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow marks the third installment of the beloved Castlevania series on the Game Boy Advance, but thrusts the legendary tale firmly into the 21st century. The year is 2035, and you step into the shoes of Soma Cruz, a seemingly ordinary high school exchange student visiting a shrine in Japan with his friend Mina Hakuba during a rare solar eclipse. Fate, however, has other plans. Soma is transported directly into the heart of Dracula's castle, a domain that should not exist in this modern era. He soon discovers he possesses a unique and incredible power: the Dominance ability, allowing him to defeat the castle's demons and absorb their souls. These souls can then be equipped, transforming the very nature of his abilities. As Soma, you must explore a vast, interconnected castle, uncover the mystery of why you were drawn there and the source of your power, and discover if you have a destiny tied to the Lord of Darkness himself.
• The Revolutionary Tactical Soul System: At the heart of Aria of Sorrow's gameplay is the soul absorption mechanic. Defeat over 100 different enemies to have a chance to absorb their souls, granting you new active, passive, and stat-altering abilities.
• Vast, Non-Linear Exploration: Discover a sprawling, interconnected map filled with distinct areas, hidden chambers, and challenging bosses, true to the beloved "Metroidvania" style.
• Extensive Arsenal: Collect and master a wide variety of weapons beyond the traditional whip, including swords, spears, axes, and even firearms, each with unique attack patterns and properties.
• Deep Character Customization: Mix and match your equipped souls to create a build that perfectly suits your playstyle. Combine offensive magic, defensive auras, and movement-enhancing souls to overcome any obstacle.
• Multiple Endings: Your actions and discoveries throughout the castle will determine the game's conclusion, encouraging repeated playthroughs to uncover every secret.
• Compelling Storyline: Experience a fresh Castlevania narrative set in a futuristic timeline, introducing memorable new characters while paying homage to the series' rich legacy.
• Pictorial Data & Boss Rush: Additional game modes unlock upon completion, offering new challenges for seasoned players to test their skills.
Master the following control scheme to navigate the castle and battle its denizens. On a standard keyboard, the controls typically map as:
Explore the castle thoroughly. The map will fill in as you discover new rooms. Look for breakable walls, hidden passages, and use new soul abilities to access previously unreachable areas.
Battle enemies to absorb their souls. When you defeat a monster, there is a random chance a soul orb will appear. Touch it to acquire that enemy's soul. Not all souls are easy to get, so be persistent!
Equip and manage souls in the menu. You can have one soul equipped in each of three categories: Bullet (activated with the B button), Guardian (provides a constant aura or effect), and Enchant (permanently boosts a stat like Strength or Luck).
Engage challenging boss fights. At the end of major areas, you will encounter powerful bosses. Learn their attack patterns and use the right combination of weapons and souls to prevail.
Increase your power. Defeating enemies grants experience points (EXP). Gain enough EXP to level up, permanently increasing Soma's base stats like Hit Points (HP) and Magic Points (MP).
What is the Tactical Soul System? This is the core gameplay mechanic where you "collect" abilities from the monsters you defeat. By absorbing a monster's soul, you gain a new power. These can be direct attacks, defensive shields, passive stat boosts, or even new movement abilities like turning into a bat.
How many souls are in the game, and do I need them all? There are over 110 different souls to collect from enemies and bosses. While you do not need every single one to complete the game, collecting all of them is required to unlock the best ending and all of the game's bonus content.
Who are the other playable characters? After completing the game under specific conditions, you can unlock and play through the castle as two additional characters: Julius Belmont, the classic vampire hunter who wields the Vampire Killer whip, and Alucard, the fan-favorite son of Dracula, offering a completely different gameplay experience.
