Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow: Encyclopedia - Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (commonly abbreviated DoS) is the title of a video game for the Nintendo DS handheld game console, part of Konami's popular Castlevania franchise. The game was first released in August 2005 in Japan. It should be noted that "Dawn of Sorrow" is a play on "DS", the system that this game has been released on, (a subtitling structure that has been used for other games released for the system). This game is known in Japan as Demon Castle Dracula: Cross of the Blue Moon (悪魔城ドラキュラ 蒼月の十字架 Akumajō Dracula: Sōgetsu no Jūjika). The subtitle is also based on "Aria of Sorrow", known as "Minuet of Dawn" in Japan.

The game is a direct sequel to Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, with Soma Cruz as its protagonist; other characters from Aria of Sorrow also appear in the game, including Genya Arikado and Julius Belmont. It takes place one year after Aria of Sorrow and deals with an enigmatic cult (unrelated to the cult lead by Aria of Sorrow antagonist Graham Jones) who seeks to kill Soma and revive the dark power of Dracula sleeping inside of him, as a sort of retribution for Soma 'denying his destiny' in becoming the Dark Lord incarnate in the previous game. In the cult's mind, Dracula represents the ultimate evil that must exist for there to be an ultimate good, and with the Dark Lord sealed, that can't happen. Instead of running from this new threat, however, Soma decides to take the initiative and confront his foes head-on, eventually discovering a castle and monsters similar to those owned by Dracula, supposedly constructed by the cult as the scene for the ritual required to sacrifice Soma and revive the vampire lord.

The game also features most of Aria of Sorrow's main gameplay, including the "Enemy Soul system" (Soma's ability to absorb enemies' souls and use their powers). This time Soma can upgrade most abilities by acquiring multiple copies of the same soul. New to the series is the "Magic Seal" system, which makes use of the system's touch screen. Using a finger or stylus, the player must draw an intricate symbol or "seal" on the touch screen to trap defeated boss enemies. If the seal is not drawn correctly, the boss can regenerate energy and continue to fight. The touch screen can also be used to break certain blocks, navigate menus, and control certain familiars.

The game also has a multiplayer vs. mode, where one player creates a section of the castle, complete with enemies, and both players race to defeat the enemies and reach the end of the level; players are also able to trade souls they've found in the game. In addition there is a Julius mode where you can play as Julius Belmont, armed with the Vampire Killer and subweapons. In this mode there is a tribute to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse in the sense that you can gain two allies to your task and switch between them at any time; Yoko Belnades, a witch who fights like her ancestor Sypha Belnades with a staff and fire, ice, and lightning spells, and Alucard returning from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night with a sword, Hellfire spell, and the ablity to turn into a bat.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - Miscellaneous

With the release of this game, the series will be going back to the "Akumajou Dracula" name in Japan. The series had used the Castlevania name in Japan since the release of "White Night Concerto" (known as Harmony of Dissonance in North America).

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - Characters

Heroes

• Soma Cruz

• Mina Hakuba

• Genya Arikado

• Julius Belmont

• Yoko Belnades

• Hammer

Villains (Human)

• Celia Fortner - Celia is the founder of a cult (With Light) bent on orchestrating the coming of the next Dark Lord. The loss of Dracula made Celia worry that her powers might wain. She plans to plunge Soma's mind into darkness in order to seize the power of the Dark Lord.

• Dario Bossi - One of Dracula's potential successors, Dario has the ability to manipulate fire. He has possessed this ability ever since he absorbed some of Dracula's powers during his resurrection in 2035. His fiery personality and impulsive tendencies push him to immediate action. Dario is fought in the Garden of Madness and again at the Pinnacle.

• Dmitrii Blinov - Dracula's other potential successor, Dmitrii has the ability to mirror magical powers. Although he seems irresponsible, Dmitrii will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal. Dmitrii is fought in the Dark Chapel.

Villains (Demons)

• Flying Armor - The first boss, Flying Armor is a "sinister cape-clad figure that hovers in the air." Flying Armor is found in the Lost Village. It attacks with two large swords. It's soul allows Soma to fall slower, just like it did in Aria of Sorrow.

• Balore - The second boss, Balore is returning from Aria of Sorrow. Balore attacks with his fists and uses his eye to shoot a giant laser. He is at the bottom of the Wizardry Lab. His soul allows Soma to break the blue "ice" blocks.

• Malphas - A crow demon fought shortly after defeating Dmitrii. It uses dark energy as well as it's crows to attack. Malphas is located in the Dark Chapel. It's soul gives Soma the double jump ability.

• Puppet Master - The king of dolls that has control over the dimensions, the Puppet Master attacks using dolls and iron maidens. The wooden puppets must be destroyed to avoid dying by the iron maidens. The Puppet Master resides in the Demon Guest House. His soul allows Soma to throw a puppet and switch places with it.

• Rahab - A water-dwelling monster that is found in the Subterranean Hell. Rahab attacks using it's own body and ice shards. It's soul allows Soma to move (and presumably breathe) underwater.

• Gergoth - A powerful beast that grew evil and demented due to many years in solitude. Gergoth attacks using powerful beams, bites, gas, and it's own body. It is located on the top floor of the Condemned Tower. During your fight with Gergoth, the floor with collapse and all the floors below it will break as well. It's soul allows Soma to fire a large laser beam.

• Zephyr - A demon with control over time (which is odd considering the actual Zephyr is a Greek God of the West wind). Zephyr attacks using knives in conjunction with time-stopping. You fight him in front of the clock in the Cursed Clock Tower. His soul allows Soma to stop time (and most enemies).

• Bat Company - A large group of bats that all work together. Bat Company has three forms: a large bat that attacks by ramming Soma, a hand that tries to grab Soma, and a face that fires energy projectiles. They are found in the Silenced Ruins. Their soul allows Soma to turn into a bat.

• Paranoia - An optional boss that used mirrors to it's advantage. Fighting Paranoia is required to get two of the possible endings. You fight it in two forms: a weaker, smaller version that attacks using a small knife and fires thin, reflecting lasers once, and a larger version that attacks by using an attack similar to Soma's own double jump downward dive (B+B, B+Down) and shoots two, thick reflecting lasers. Paranoia resides near the top of the Demon Guest House. It's soul allows Soma to enter mirrors.

• Aguni - A fire demon that gives Dario is newfound power boost. It is inside the mirror in the throne room in the Pinnacle. Aguni attacks by Launching himself up in the air, diving down, and creating a firewave, spitting bursts of three firebombs which tranform into waves, and trying to smash Soma with his hands, usually three times.. Aguni must be defeated instead of Dario in the throne room to avoid the worst ending. It's soul allows Soma to use Aguni's fire shockwave.

• Death - Dracula's confident, Death is at the bottom of the Mine of Judgement. Death has two forms. The first form is Death with his cloak completely on. He attacks with his scythe and by summoning clones to use energy pillars. The second form is death without his hood and with his cloak open. He attacks using his scythe and energy skulls. Death's soul allows Soma to summon Death's scythes to attack enemies.

• Abaddon - The locust master of the Abyss. Abaddon's only attack is to summon locusts which attack in the pattern he draws out with his cane. The four patterns are straight across, a waterfall motion, a normal "U" shape, and a sideways "U" shape. Abaddon's soul allows Soma to summon the locusts.

• Menace - The games final boss. Menace is all the demons under Dmitrii's control fused into one humongous monstrosity. Menace is formed in the very center of the Abyss. At first, Menace is hunched over Soma and attacks using poison gas and spikes. It's first weak spot is the head jutting out of Menace's chest. After enough damage, Menace stands up. It's new weak spots are the head inside Menace's skull and the face on it's knee. Menace attacks by stomping and punching in an uppercut fashion or straight across. During the battle, Menace will summon multiple "demon mouths" that will attack Soma. Defeat Menace for the game's best ending. Each "head" on Menace's body have 3000 HP.

• The Lord of Darkness - Available only when playing Julius mode, unlocked by achieving the bad ending in the main game. The identity of the Lord of Darkness will be quite a shock to the player when encountering him for Julius mode's bittersweet conclusion.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - Awards

• In EGM's E3, the E3 model of this game was given a score of Awesome.
• Upon the game's North American release, EGM awarded the game with Game of the Month honors, as well awarding it with a Gold Medal, since the average of the three scores was at least 9 out of 10.

See also

• Castlevania
• Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
• Castlevania characters

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