Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night tells the story of Alucard, Dracula's half-vampire (or dhampir) son. Alucard arrives at his father's castle just as Richter Belmont, the protagonist of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, has fought and defeated Dracula. As Alucard wanders through the castle, he encounters various foes and allies until eventually coming upon Richter himself. Richter, acting under the effects of a spell, is preparing to resurrect Dracula, and Alucard must put a stop to his plans or risk facing his reawakened father.

The game has periodic save rooms that appear as floating, golden hexagonal objects. Simply walk up to them and press the "up" button to save the game.

• What makes a game like Symphony of the Night a classic? Do you think it deserves its ongoing critical acclaim?
• Are there any elements of the game's older mechanics that you find frustrating? How do you adjust your play style?