Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (AOS) is the third of the vania series to hit the Game Boy Advance. Aria is mixed with difficulty of Circle of the Moon and graphics of Harmony. Overall, this makes a great vania adventure for any player on the go. While the game is not nearly as difficult as the first vania, it isn't as easy as the second vania. While at the same, it isn't as long as the second vania. Your main character is Soma Cruz. One night an eclipse swifts you and your sister friend away to an ancient castle, which happens to be Drac's castle (whoa! lol).

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One interesting thing about the story line is that this is the first vania ever set in the future; however, you are still traveling in the ancient old castle. Just like the previous two vanias, its explore the castle Metroid Style, not stage by stage. One BIG change in this vania compared to the rest is that Soma Cruz can absorb enemies abilities and use it back at them (that's right watch out you skeleton bone throwers!!). The game still incorporates buying potions ect. Since there are over 200 abilities Soma can learn, there are no 'sub' items. Meaning there's no boomerang or axe. There are also no hearts either. MP is used in this one which is strictly for the abilities. Overall, sub items aren't really needed and if they were in this game, Soma would be overpowered just like in the second vania.

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The castle itself is pretty big and the game spans about 25 hours or so on your first attempt to beat it. As you travel through the castle, you'll learn abilities (like in Metroid) that you'll end up backtracking (such as sliding under an area to get to the next or double jumping). The game has a great twist as you proceed further (storyline wise) and it gets interesting near the end. Sound wise, the game is greatly well done. Vania fans will noticed remixes of certain musics. One remix is that from Haunted Castle, which was a vania game in the arcade. The game has hidden features (just about the same) as in the previous vania. Overall, if your a fan of the vania series and enjoyed the previous two vanias. Grab yourself a copy of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Well worth the $30!

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Graphics: 1.000/1.000: (Clear and crisp and wonderful!)

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Sound: 0.800/1.000: (Way better than the previous vania!)

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Control: 0.700/1.000: (About the same as the previous mania)

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Storyline: 1.000/1.000: (More detailed storyline, being a vania game)

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Gameplay: 0.800/1.000: (More better gameplay than the previous mania, the menuing system is a bit confusing but easy to catch on. About 30% less difficult then the first vania)

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