Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - Sephirothsword57 Review

**Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow** is an action role-playing game originally developed and published by *Konami* for the Gameboy Advance in 2003.

This video was originally going to feature a scene where Crono and Cloud join the search for Shadow, but was cut in editing because **SephirothSword57** could not make it fit organically. This part was uploaded as its own video two days later, with the extra epithet **[Side Story]**

## Episode synopsis

The video opens on a quick montage of **SephirothSword57** playing *Castlevania: Symphony of the Night* and *Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night,* remarking on Iga-san's prowes in making such games, when a knock on the door catches his attention. He cautiosly moves to see who it could be, only to find a small object laying on the floor outside his door, which he picks up and brings inside. He then greets the veiwers and informs them he's about to have a look at a game he's never played before; **Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.**

He talks briefly about how **Aria of Sorrow** was meant to be a proper sequel to *Symphony of the Night,* and since it also was made by Koji Igarashi (refered to as "Iga-san" during the video) who also made *Bloodstained*, he is looking forward to it. It does not take long before he drops the controller in abject horror, cancels the review and makes a phonecall. Koji Igarashi picks up the phone, and is at first is delighted to hear from **SephirothSword57**, but gets flustered once **SephirothSword57** mentions **Aria of Sorrow**. **SephirothSword57** demands to know what happened during the game's development. Koji Igarashi says he knows who may have delivered the game to him, and asks to join the SephirothSword57 Show to clear his name. **SephirothSword57** accepts this, and Koji Igarashi is soon on the set of the show where they'll be co-reviewing the game. Koji Igarashi explains he's legally bound to not discuss certain aspects, which is why he's asked **SephirothSword57** for assistance.

### The review

* **The genre wrongfully called "metroidvania" suggestion the Metroid series is on par with *Symphony of the Night***
	+ **Preferably one should refer to them as "Symphony-similars"**
* **Chronological confusion from having been set (as of developing) 32 years into the future**
* **Player teased by having the game set in Japan only to be transported elsewhere**
* **Boring character designs**
	+ **Especially noticable with Alucard's redesign**
* **Gameplay reminiscent of another game**
* **Lackluster graphics**

**SephirothSword57** puts forth his theory regarding what happened during this game's development: the choice of gameplay and hardware is the result of outside influence. The culprit must have been someone with knowledge of the project and access to *Konami* HQ, which concludes that it must have been a high-ranking employee. Kojima then used his influence on the development team, under the direction of an outside group.

### Post-review plot

As **SephirothSword57** finishes his closing statements, Koji Igarashi still wish to take responsibility for the game and asks if **SephirothSword57** will aid him. **SephirothSword57** accepts. Koji Igarashi plunges a blade into his stomach while building up a large amount of power until he tells **SephirothSword57** to deliver the final strike. As his consciousness fades, he finally feels at peace. **SephirothSword57** is amazed at Koji Igarashi's display of the samurai spirit, and thanks the veiwers for watching.

## General Information

### Episode

14-2 (side story to the Aria of Sorrow review)

## Characters

### Returning

SephirothSword57
Cloud Strife
Crono

**Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow [Side Story]** was released two days after the main video, and is a cut scene in which Crono and Cloud is out searching for Shadow. It is revealed that **SephirothSword57** had been looking for him for three months without rest or eating, at which point they told him they will keep looking for him while **SephirothSword57** recuperates. Crono tells Cloud not to worry, as **SephirothSword57** will eventually be fine thanks to his special ability to restore energy from reading manga, watching animé and playing video games, and even more so when reviewing them. This is however only viable after a fight, since it can't be used during one.

## Gallery

Koji "Iga-san" Igarashi recieving a call from an old friend*"Imagine if my character design was like that"*His name clearedCloud and Crono begin their search
## Trivia

The voice of Koji Igarashi was recorded by Dave, technically making this his first appearance in the show.