Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night
Score: 89% ESRB: Not Rated Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami Media: Download/1 Players: 1 Genre: Puzzle/ Action/ RPG
Graphics & Sound: Serendipity happens. Not long after receiving a set of killer headphones, I got a code for a Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night. Symphony of the Night is one of my all-time favorite games, so the chance to play the game - or at least a version of it -- on my iPhone was something I couldn't pass up. Here's where serendipity comes into play. Castlevania games are known for their soundtracks. Encore of the Night features Symphony's soundtrack, making it a perfect companion for my NC300B Headphones. Even without my supped-up ears, Encore sounds amazing. Aside from the soundtrack, Encore also features sound effects from Symphony. The only major change is voice work. Though scarce, it sounds good -- at least compared to Symphony. Most of Symphony's visuals accompany the audio. With the exception of blocks, nearly everything is pulled directly from the game. The sprite-work is sharp and really stands out on the iPhone's display. Although you'll spend most of your time watching blocks, it's neat to look over and see Alucard delivering a few powerful blows to familiar enemies.
Gameplay: It's really tempting to label Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night a Super Puzzle Fighter II clone, though the description would only be a half truth. The two games share similar traits - both revolve around matching like colored blocks to whittle down an opponent's health - yet Encore of the Night adds a distinctly Metroidvania feel. Encore is everything you remember about Symphony of the Night, but in puzzle form. Playing as Alucard, you explore Dracula's castle. This is the exact castle you remember from previous versions, but instead of exploring rooms bit-by-bit, you take them on as a whole room. Touching a room on the map moves Alucard to the room. Once there, he'll either discover a secret area, item or take on an enemy in a match-three puzzle battle. Secret areas are set, but encounters are randomized. You may miss out on a battle on your first visit, but stumble across one on your second. Battles are "standard" match-three puzzles. Pairs of colored panels fall from the top of the bin. Your goal is to twist, flip and turn the panels to match, causing them to disappear. Matches equal damage and may also crop "inactive" panels into an opponent's bin. Inactive panels can be reactivated, but only by creating a match around them, opening up a really interesting attack/ defend strategy.
Difficulty: Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night is just as difficult as any other match-three game. Even with exploration, hit points and combat, everything hinges on how well you manage your blocks. It seems simple, but without a good strategy, even lesser enemies can quickly gain the upper hand. If you need to practice, Encore offers an Arcade Mode. Difficulty is adjustable, making it ideal for learning the ropes. The one major roadblock is the touch controls. The setup is smart; drag left and right to guide the blocks, tap once to turn and drag down to "slam." Although you can adjust the sensitivity, it is incredibly hard to find a great setting. I was able to adjust and test to find something comfortable and playable, though there were still matches where I unintentionally moved or turned panels. The touch screen also makes it hard to see what you opponent has in their bin. The only way to comfortably and easily play is by placing your thumb on the other bin. It's not mission critical, but still a hassle.
Game Mechanics: Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night also tosses in some RPG elements. Winning battles earns experience. With each level, Alucard earns stat boosts that play a role in how well he performs in battle. I wasn't able to figure out how every stat plays into puzzles, though one reduces the amount of damage he takes, while another affects the amount of damage dealt. Alucard can also equip armor and weapons to further enhance his durability, or use health items. Health items add another wrinkle to combat. At any time during a match, you can use an item by tapping the item button. The item (apples, meat, sundaes...) then enters Alucard's bin as a panel. Matching blocks around the panel shatter it, increasing your health. It's a really cool mechanic. It's fair, but without being ridiculously overpowered since you're forced to develop a tactic just to receive the bonus. Though the controls leave something to be desired, Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night is a nice portable entry. Gameplay is simple, but deep enough to keep you engaged for longer than most match-three puzzle games. Encore of the Night comes highly recommended for both puzzle and Castlevania fans.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Game Vortex's Review of Super Puzzle Fighter II: HD Remix for XBox 360 Game Vortex's Review of True Fidelity NC300B Headphones
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