Review: Castlevania – Requiem (PS4)

Konami’s standing in the gaming industry may not be as prominent as it was a decade ago. However, the Japanese entertainment conglomerate still controls significant licenses, and Castlevania remains a key franchise. Symphony of the Night stands as a high point: a definitive Castlevania title, a benchmark for the Metroidvania genre, and a remarkably well-designed and enjoyable action RPG. Released 21 years ago, it has appeared on numerous consoles since its original PlayStation (PSX) debut. Its enduring appeal makes it a consistently engaging experience across different generations.

Castlevania: Requiem is a PS4 exclusive collection featuring two Castlevania games. Symphony of the Night is presented with its original 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in borders on modern widescreen displays. Border themes are available, a common feature in retro re-releases. Graphics adjustments include scanlines (simulating the appearance of older CRT televisions) and a “softening” filter intended to smooth the pixelated visuals, which can, however, create a blurry image. The interlace mode attempts to replicate the flicker of older TVs, which may produce undesirable effects on OLED screens. For optimal clarity, the original mode is recommended, although experimentation based on the display is encouraged.

While a true HD remaster would have been a welcome addition, offering a revitalized experience, this version remains similar to those available on PS3 or Xbox 360. Features include a quick save function, which saves the game state and returns the player to the main menu, and the inclusion of the original CD audio. The English dub has been “cleaned up,” addressing the unintentionally comical delivery of the original. However, the loss of iconic lines such as Dracula’s “What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!” is regrettable.

Rondo of Blood (also known as Dracula X / Vampire’s Kiss in its SNES iteration) is a highly regarded entry in the Castlevania series. Originally available on the PC Engine (Turbografx-16), a platform with limited market penetration in some regions, it also saw a port to the PSP. This release features Japanese and German voice acting and mirrors the PC Engine version visually. The absence of the original English voice track is a notable omission. Released in 1993, Rondo of Blood exhibits a more cinematic style but has a lower resolution than Symphony of the Night. It is also noticeably more challenging, adhering to the gameplay conventions of classic Castlevania titles from the NES and SNES era, lacking the RPG-style leveling system and expansive map of SOTN. Mastery of enemy attack patterns is essential for success. Similar to SOTN, a quick save feature and adjustable graphics settings are present, although the default settings are generally recommended for modern displays.

For the price of approximately 200 kronor, Konami’s Castlevania collection represents a worthwhile purchase for fans of the series. Symphony of the Night remains a compelling and complete gaming experience. The addition of PS4 trophies and the convenience of playing on a modern console make this collection a worthwhile investment, even for those familiar with the original. It is highly recommended for PS4 owners, even those who have played SOTN extensively.