Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku

"This is what happens when Konami does a rush-job port of a fantastic game..."

If you don't have a Playstation, the Saturn version of Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight will seem like the best thing to happen to Castlevania since Roast Leg of Werewolf. But Playstation Castlevania: Symphony of the Night veterans will find that this is a big letdown compared to the game they know and love. This is a Castlevania adventure, zombies and zombettes, but it takes on the “Metroid” approach by putting you in a gigantic castle (Dracula’s pad, of course) instead of just progressive levels like the NES Castlevnia I and III, Super Castlevania IV on SNES, Castlevania: Bloodlines on Genesis, and the spectacular Dracula X on the Duo. Only Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest on the NES was as much of a departure from the series’ usual linear vampire hunting path. Castlevania, kiddies, is all about killing Dracula until he gets resurrected the next time, where we'll all be waiting to kill him again (except for N64 Castlevanias. Drac can stay alive in those cartridges 'cuz I'm not coming after him in scary horrible 3D-world. Castlevania64 scarred me for life with that crystal level <shudder>). Usually, the person out to stop Dracula is a descendant of the Belmont clan (or “Belmondo” if you remember the credits from Castlevania on the NES ^_^). This time, however, Alucard, Drac's half human, half vampire son who first appeared as a playable character in Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse on the NES, is out to grease his old man. What a tight-knit, loving family. Richter Belmont, of the famous Vampire Killer Belmonts, disappeared when Castlevania reappeared again 95 years too early after he had destroyed Dracula in Dracula X on the Duo. Alucard was in a self-induced hibernation when the castle suddenly reappeared, so he sets out to put poppa back in his coffin for good so he can get back to his nap. Maria, the younger sister of Richter's wife (who made her first appearance in Dracula X, and was also a playable, ultra-cute character), is also snooping around the castle looking for her brother-in-law. Playstation players take note: in the Saturn version, Maria is a playable character instead of just wandering around and talking to Alucard on occasion (and she happens to be really strong, too, but she’s not as great as she was in Dracula X). At the outset, you have the choice of playing through the main game with Alucard, or you can play as Richter or Maria in their “all action, little story” version of the quest. Due to their special moves and abilities, Richter and Maria have access to the entire castle right off the bat. Alucard, however, has the much deeper, more enjoyable play experience, as he has tons of different weapons, armors, shields, items, relics, magics, and transformations to find and use. He also has story segments that the other two vampire killers lack. Alucard, being a halfbreed vampire, can find items that allow him to use such classic vampire abilities as transforming into a bat, wolf, and mist forms. These different forms allow Alucard to reach certain areas of the castle that were previously inaccessible to him. He can cast many different magic spells, and he can also be aided by familiars (bats, ghosts, fairies, devils) on his way through the castle to stop his father. The assortment of weapons Alucard can use is stunning; he starts off with the Alucard sword, shield, and best equipment, but Death takes them all away early on in the quest and hides them in the castle. He then must find new equipment in the castle that is tucked away in secret rooms, or that is being held by certain enemies. You can find swords, rods, chacrams, staffs, daggers, etc., and some even have secret moves and abilities that come out when you perform a controller motion like in a fighting game. Your many shields also hold different special abilities; equip the Medusa shield, and you can attack enemies while you’ve got it drawn by running into them with it. You can also produce neat effects when you pair up certain weapons and shields; equip the shield rod, and you gain different powers depending on which shield you have on. Alucard gains experience points like an RPG character would by defeating enemies. His life and magic bars increase, as well as his attack, defense, intelligence, and luck (a high luck level allows you to find some of the rarer items a bit easier, as some of the powerful items are not seen very often). You still use hearts in true Castlevania tradition to throw sub-weapons like daggers, axes, vials of holy water, ashes, a rebounding diamond, and the good old boomerang. More hearts can be gained by increasing your levels, and you can also find heart containers that boost them more. This is a fine Castlevania adventure, but unfortunately it is the lesser of the two versions available.

Graphics: Oh boy, is this running on a Playstation emulation system or what? First, the good; the style of the game is fantastic. The backgrounds and characters are incredibly well done, and the level of detail is superb. There are enemies you’ll recognize from Dracula X and Super Castlevania IV in here, too (this makes sense for Dracula X, seeing as this game is set only five years after that game). The bosses are sometimes MONSTROUSLY huge, and quite gross (Beelzebub…yuck). The castle looks super sweet, the characters animate as smooth as silk most of the time. Okay, now on to the bad…The transparencies, something that the Playstation version had in droves, all took a big hit and are now all a pixely “Saturn mesh” mess (this was to be expected, but it still needs to be pointed out). You no longer “morph” from one form to another; you just kind of switch without much animation, and that’s disappointing, as the morphing looks great on Playstation. And, to top it all off, there's SLOWDOWN! AGH! This is the Saturn! The Saturn is 2D's best buddy! How did they get it to slow down?!? Aghhh!! The slowdown doesn’t wreck the game or anything, but it is just a huge disappointment to see it in a game the Saturn should have been able to do with relative ease. The new Saturn-exclusive areas and enemies don't really fit the style of the original stuff, either...although Maria came out very nice. Her spells and attacks look good, especially her “Boss DESROYAH!!”, the dragon you control. That thing mangles the bosses in short order.

Sound: At least wasn't as screwed up as the graphics during the translation. All the phenomenal music is back, and then some, as there are a few nice new versions of your favorite vampire killing tunes added into the mix. This soundtrack is incredible to say the least. On top of the aural pleasures from the music, there is lots of GOOD voice acting, seeing as this is a Japanese game with professional actors. You can even earn a bonus mode to listen to all the voices, as well as mini interviews with the actors and actresses. Some enemy effects and roars have a little rasp here and there, but you’re not here to listen to the monsters; you’re here to kill ‘em...The sound effects are all well done as well, and fit the game just right.

Control: Yeah, it's just like the Playstation version, except for the map screen. You now have to pause the game, then hit L or R (can't remember right now...) to pull up the map. This gets annoying to the Playstation veteran who's used to bringing up the map often, but it’s not that big of a deal in the end. Other than that, you'll be casting spells and trashing enemies like a champ. Or like a chump if you stink. Attack, jump, super jump, guard with your shield, transform, cast spells, and DASH as Alucard! He gains an item exclusive to the Saturn version that allows him to run like Richter and Maria can. Great!

Funfactor: This depends. Playstation veterans will play through as Maria, and become kind of annoyed with all the little differences and screw-ups, and they’ll probably just stick to their Playstation version in the end. Saturn-only players will enjoy the great game until they play the Playstation version somewhere down the road. Then they might prefer the PS version, but maybe not if they prefer Maria to Alucard and Richter. This game is a good long quest with lots to do and see, and it is a stellar game overall. It's just that this was a rush job port of a stellar game, and the Saturn version got the short end of the stick. One thing I like in the Saturn rev over the PS is that Alucard gets that ''dash'' item, that allows him to dash like Richter and Maria. I HATED walking so slowly in the PS one with Al!

Replayability? Yesssss. There’s a big huge castle to fully explore (twice if you’re good), there’s hidden items and stuff all over the place, three characters to choose from, and a whole lot to do. This is an exceptional Castlevania game, but it just didn’t get ported with enough care. Go forth and show the undead your influence. GlucoseJoe

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/28/00, Updated 05/28/00