Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
North American box art
Developer(s)	Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe
Publisher(s)	Konami
Designer(s)	Ko-G
Artist(s)	Kazuko Fujihara
Composer(s)	Sotaro Tojima Hiroshi Mitsuoka
Series	Castlevania
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance
Release date(s)	JP March 21, 2001 NA June 10, 2001 EU June 22, 2001 AUS June 22, 2001
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	ACB: G8+ CERO: B ELSPA: 11+ ESRB: T

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, known simply as Castlevania in the PAL region and as Akumajō Dracula: Circle of the Moon (悪魔城ドラキュラ Circle of the Moon, Akumajō Dorakyura: Sākuru obu za Mūn^?, officially translated Devil's Castle Dracula: Circle of the Moon)^[1] in Japan, is a video game created by Konami only for the Game Boy Advance. Published as a launch title in 2001, Circle of the Moon belongs to Konami's Castlevania video game series, the premise of which centers on the eternal conflict between the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. Circle of the Moon focuses on Nathan Graves and his quest to rescue his kidnapped mentor from Dracula.

Gameplay

Circle of the Moon makes use of a 2D side-scrolling style of gameplay, similar to many of the previous Castlevania video games.^[2] The objective of Circle of the Moon is to lead player character Nathan Graves through a monster-filled castle as he searches for his kidnapped mentor.^[3] Like many of the previous Castlevania protagonists, Nathan uses a whip to attack and defeat enemies, alongside secondary weapons—an axe, cross, holy water, dagger and stopwatch—only one of which may be carried at any time by the player.^[3] Hearts, typicially found within candles, determine the amount of any secondary weapon carried by him.^[2] Circle of the Moon follows a nonlinear style of gameplay: at the beginning of the game, Nathan can only traverse certain areas of the castle; by obtaining various abilities, such as becoming able to run or break certain portions of the castle's walls, he gradually explores the castle.^[3] He will also encounter rooms with the ability to teleport him across portions of the castle and rooms which will restore his health and allow the player to save his or her progress in the game.^[2] The game also automatically updates the castle map to reflect Nathan's progress through it.^[3]

Circle of the Moon incorporates elements found in role-playing games.^[4] Nathan possesses various statistics: hit points, the amount of damage he can withstand before dying; magic points, how often he can cast a magical attack; strength, the power of his physical attack; defense, his resilience to damage inflicted by the monsters; intelligence, the recovery speed of magic points; and luck, the frequency with which items are dropped by enemies.^[2] Defeated enemies drop various items and equipment, and provide experience points; after reaching a predetermined amount of experience points, Nathan will level up, and his statistics will improve.^[3] The defeat of boss enemies allows the player to acquire new abilities to progress further in the game.^[2]

Unique to Circle of the Moon is the Dual Set-up System (DSS), based on magic cards found throughout the game that belong to one of two categories: Action and Attribute.^[4] Each of the ten Action card takes its name from one of the gods and goddesses from Roman mythology, and determines the type of magic being performed, while the ten Attribute cards take their names from creatures from Greek and Roman mythology, and add an effect to the magic.^[2][4] To produce a magicial effect, the player combines one card from each of the two categories, for a total of one hundred different combinations.^[4] However, in "The Battle Arena"—a certain area of the castle which consists of seventeen rooms filled with monsters—Nathan's supply of mind points is drained, causing the DSS cards to become unavailable.^[5]

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon has four alternative modes of gameplay, which must be completed in order as completion of one mode unlocks the code for the next. Once the player has finished Circle of the Moon for the first time, he or she receives a code that can be entered as his or her name when starting a new game; this code will start the game in Magician Mode, in which Nathan begins with all twenty DSS cards.^[5] Fighter Mode does not permit the use of DSS cards, but increases his strength.^[5] Shooter Mode allows a higher maximum of hearts he can carry, but gives a penalty to strength, defense, and hit points.^[5] Thief Mode reduces Nathan's strength, but increases his luck.^[5]

Plot

Taking place in 1830, Circle of the Moon is set in the fictional universe of the Castlevania series. The premise of the series is the eternal conflict between the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. Circle of the Moon's protagonist, however, is Nathan Graves, whose parents died a decade ago to banish Dracula.^[6] Morris Baldwin, who helped in Dracula's banishment, trained him to defeat Dracula and the monsters; Morris ultimately chose him as his successor and gave him the "Hunter Whip", to the displeasure of Hugh, Morris' son who trained alongside him.^[6][7]

At an old castle, Camilla, a minion of Dracula, revives him, only to be interrupted by the arrival of Morris, Nathan, and Hugh. Before they are able to banish him again, Dracula destroys the floor under Nathan and Hugh, causing them to plummet down a long tunnel. Surviving the fall and wishing to find his father, Hugh leaves Nathan behind. Nathan proceeds to search the castle for his mentor.^[8] Along the way, he learns that at the next full moon, Morris' soul will be used to return Dracula to full power.^[9] He also periodically encounters Hugh, who becomes more hostile as the game progresses.^[7][10] Eventually, Nathan encounters Camilla, who hints that she and Dracula are responsible for the changes in his personality.^[11] Nathan vanquishes Camilla in her true form and meets up with Hugh once more. Upon seeing him, Hugh immediately attacks him with the goal of proving himself to his father through Nathan's defeat; Nathan, however, realizes that Dracula is controlling Hugh.^[12] Nathan defeats him, and Dracula's control over Hugh breaks.^[13] Confessing that he doubted his self worth when Nathan was chosen as successor, Hugh tasks him with Morris' rescue.^[14]

Arriving at the ceremonial room, Nathan confronts Dracula, who confirms that he had tampered with Hugh's soul to cause the changes in his personality.^[15] They begin to fight and halfway through, Dracula teleports away to gain his full power. Hugh then frees his father and tasks Nathan with Dracula's banishment.^[16] Following Dracula to another dimension, Nathan continues the battle and defeats him. He then escapes the collapsing castle to be reunited with Morris and Hugh. They leave to continue their training.

Development

Developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe, Circle of the Moon was designed as a launch title for the Game Boy Advance.^[17] At the 2000 Tokyo Game Show, a playable demo of it debuted, which featured two selectable player characters: Hugh and Nathan.^[17] The option to play as Hugh did not appear in the final version of the game.^[2] Circle of the Moon was published by Konami in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North America on June 10, 2001, and as Castlevania in the PAL region on June 22, 2001; it also saw a Japanese-only re-release under the "Konami the Best" label on November 3, 2005.^[18]

Audio

Circle of the Moon's score consists of numerous remixes of tracks from earlier games, such as "Vampire Killer", "Aquarius" (from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse), "Visions of Dark Secrets" and "The Sinking Old Sanctuary" from "Castlevania: Bloodlines" and "The Trick Manor" (also known as "Clockwork Mansion") (derived from combining "Rotating Room" and "Spinning Tale" of Super Castlevania IV). In addition to these, the game also features "Dance of Illusions" and "Requiem"(from Devil's Castle Dracula X: Rondo of Blood), which is used in the first phase of the final battle. Also included are some original pieces such as "Fate to Despair", "Awake", and "Proof of Blood". The soundtrack was prepared by Sotaro Tojima.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon & Castlevania: Concerto of Midnight Sun Original Soundtrack
	No.		Title		Length
	1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23.		"鎮魂歌" "血脈の印" "A VISION OF DARK SECRETS" "Inversion" "awake" "THE SINKING OLD SANTUARY" "Clockwork" "戦慄" "ゲームオーバー" "fate to despair" "Aquarius" "カラクリ館" "Big Battle" "Nightmare" "Vampire Killer" "幻想的舞曲" "proof of blood" "鎮魂の丘" "circle of the moon" "プロローグ" "タイトルバック" "Name Entry 2K2" "宿命を継ぐ者"		1:12 0:37 0:45 0:47 1:32 1:51 1:23 0:54 0:09 0:42 1:18 2:23 0:56 1:31 0:52 1:06 1:22 1:51 1:03 1:47 0:24 1:17 1:27				24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45.		"攻防" "慟哭参道" "ひかりごけの洞窟" "架橋龍水道" "礼拝堂の空" "因果律機械塔" "骸骨魔窟" "悪魔城の中心へ" "愛しい人" "闇に忠誠を誓う者" "決戦" "エピローグ1" "Game Over" "I闇の化身" "宿敵" "エピローグ2" "宿命を継ぐ者" "マイペースな物売り" "漆黒の扉" "ナイトヘッド" "VK2K2" "礼拝堂の空 (アレンジバージョン)"		1:46 1:12 1:48 1:21 1:12 1:11 1:17 1:12 1:51 1:07 1:19 1:22 0:08 0:43 1:17 1:53 1:04 0:32 0:55 0:55 1:11 2:15 4:19

Critical reception and legacy

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	89%[19]
Metacritic	92 of 100[20][21]
Review scores
Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	9.5 of 10[19]
Game Informer	8.75 of 10[22]
GamePro	[23]
GameSpot	9.6 of 10[2]
GameSpy	82 of 100[24]
IGN	9.0 of 10[3]
Nintendo Power	5 of 5[19]
Gaming Target	91[25]
RPGamer	7 of 10[4]
Awards Entity Award GameSpot Editors' Choice[2] IGN Editors' Choice[26]

Circle of the Moon was positively received, selling a total of one million copies in the month following its North American and European release, 500,000 of which in Japan.^[27] It was rated the 108th best game made on a Nintendo System in Nintendo Power's Top 200 Games list.^[28] On the review aggregate site Metacritic, it is the twelfth-highest rated Game Boy Advance title.^[21]

Craig Harris of IGN called Circle of the Moon "one of the best playing Castlevania games released", calling the gameplay "very long and extremely challenging without being frustrating or a chore to zip through". However, he noted that due to the dark graphics, the game was "difficult" to see, and that the character animations looked as though "they've been ripped out of a GBC development".^[3] Gamespot.com gave it 9.6 out of 10.^[2] GamePro rated the game 5.0, their highest rating, stating that it closely mirrored the most highly acclaimed Castlevania game, Symphony of the Night with its rich graphics and branching story.^[23] Gaming Target heavily praised the smoothness of the animations, though too cited a lack of replay value and dark graphics. In addition they gave praise to the game's DSS system, describing it as the best new feature of the title.^[25] RPGamer also praised the new system, calling it a "breath of fresh air" when combined with the existing ideas from previous entries in the series, though in contrast felt the game had significant replay value due to its various additional modes and the strengths/weaknesses related to each that required new strategies. Despite their criticism of the plot and recycled elements, they summarized the title as "Konami's Second Symphony".^[4] GameSpy stated that while the graphics were a problem, they more readily attributed the issue to the Game Boy Advance itself than the game, adding "it's a horror game about Dracula, don't you want ample light around you anyway?" They also praised the game's music and sound effects as appropriate for the title, though criticized the lack of decent artificial intelligence on the part of the enemies.^[24]

Despite the game's success, series producer Koji Igarashi, who had not been involved in its production, was highly critical of the game. When developing follow up title Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, he cited in an interview several flaws he felt should have been rectified in Circle of the Moon's design, primarily its control scheme and the dark appearance of the graphics on the Game Boy Advance. He additionally criticized the DSS card system, stating that it "did not match with the world Castlevania had established over a long period of time", though admitted he felt it was a good system.^[29] In 2002, Circle of the Moon was removed from the series timeline,^[30] a move met with some resistance from fans.^[31] Igarashi noted the reason for the removal as not due to his non-involvement with the games, but instead the intention of the game's development team for Circle of the Moon to be a stand-alone title.^[32] However since that time, later timelines distributed with preordered copies of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin noted the game's presence, as did one featured in Nintendo Power for a preview of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. However, unlike other games mentioned Circle of the Moon's events were not described.

References

1. ^ Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. (Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.). (23 October 2007) "Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、邪心の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。 Konami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us."
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Jeff Gerstmann (June 7, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". Gamespot.com. http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniacircleofthemoon/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Harris, Craig (June 14, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". Ign.com. http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/165/165396p1.html. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Alley, Jake. "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon review". RPGamer. Crave Online. http://www.rpgamer.com/games/castlevania/circlemoon/reviews/circlemoonstrev1.html. Retrieved 2010-03-02. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Secrets – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Guide & Walkthough". ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc.. http://guides.ign.com/guides/15396/page_12.html. Retrieved 2011-08-20. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Konami (2001). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon – Instruction booklet. pp. 20–21. 
7. ^ ^{a b} KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Hugh: Damn! Who asked you for help! / Nathan: I couldn't just leave you there, could I? / Hugh: Don't think that you defeated it. It was the power of that whip. / Nathan: Hugh.../ Hugh: You could never beat me in training. Never once! But father named you the successor and gave you the Hunter Whip. Your parents and my father banished Dracula together and those fond memories clouded his judgment. Don't forget that!"
8. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Nathan: We have to find Master / Hugh: I'll go. He's my father. Nathan, you'll be in the way. Just get out of here. / Nathan Graves: I want to find Master as much as anybody."
9. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Necromancer: Child, before I finish you, I will tell you some news. Your precious Master is already in our power. / Nathan: What!!! / Necromancer:That old man will feed us with his soul. The rite has been prepared and we only await the full moon."
10. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Nathan: Hugh! Are you alright? / Hugh: What are you doing here? Are you trying to take my glory? / Nathan: Wha? What are you talking about? I just want to save Master. / Hugh: You're in the way! I will defeat Dracula myself and then..."
11. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Camilla: The one who was with you...he was more honest with himself. Even MY MASTER approves of him. (giggle) / Nathan: What? What have you done to Hugh?"
12. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Hugh: I am superior to you. I will defeat you to prove myself to father. / Nathan: You are being controlled by...Camilla? No... by Dracula!"
13. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Nathan: Stop Hugh! I don't want to hurt you! Hugh!!/ Hugh: Nathan? (moan) I' I'm... I'm alright now. / Nathan: You are yourself again."
14. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Hugh: Nathan, I'm sorry. I was envious of you./ Nathan: ? / Hugh: When father named you the successor, I was afraid I was worthless. I wanted...needed the recognition. / Nathan: Enough. / Hugh: That probably was the dark weakness that father saw...in my soul. Why he chose you. / Nathan: Stop it Hugh! / Hugh: It's alright. Even I realize now that father was right in his decision. Don't make me embarrass myself further. Allow me self-pity for now. Help father now. I am entrusting his return to you. / Nathan: I accept."
15. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Dracula: What an emotional display. But don't' fool yourself. Even you must have darkness upon your soul. / Nathan: What? / Dracula: To be superior. To be honored for your singular accomplishments. / Nathan: ! / Dracula: ...to be loved by all...to get the glory even at the expense of others. That is what your friend craved. I just increased that desire, that power. / Nathan: You despicable blight! How dare you toy with his soul. I'll get you for that."
16. ^ KCEK. Circle of the Moon. (Konami). Game Boy Advance. (2001-06-08) "Morris: Chase him! Don't let him escape! Urgg... / Nathan: !! /Hugh: I'll take care of father. You go after him. / Nathan: ...right. Get Master to safety. / Hugh: Nathan, banish Dracula and then make sure you get out. / Nathan: I will."
17. ^ ^{a b} Staff (2000-09-22). "TGS 2000 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Hands-On". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.. http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniacircleofthemoon/news/2631160/tgs-2000castlevania-circle-of-the-moon-hands-on?mode=previews. Retrieved 2011-08-23. 
18. ^ "Related Games – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.. http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniacircleofthemoon/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved 2011-08-25. 
19. ^ ^{a b c} "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Reviews and Articles for Game Boy Advance - GameRankings". Game Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/449471-castlevania-circle-of-the-moon/articles.html. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
20. ^ "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (gba: 2001): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/castlevaniacircle?q=circle%20of%20the%20moon. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
21. ^ ^{a b} "All Games By Score". Metacritic.com. http://www.metacritic.com/games/gba/scores/. Retrieved 2008-02-08. 
22. ^ Fitzloff, Jay. "Game Informer Online". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200107/R03.0805.1803.16450.htm?CS_pid=160013. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
23. ^ ^{a b} Staff (2001-06-12). "Review: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. http://web.archive.org/web/20080621143114/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/14690.shtml. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
24. ^ ^{a b} Bub, Andrew. "Reviews: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (GBA)". GameSpy. pp. 1–2. http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september01/castlevania/. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
25. ^ ^{a b} Noad, Derek (2001-06-18). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon review". Gaming Target. UGO.com. http://www.gamingtarget.com/article.php?artid=2155. Retrieved 2010-03-02. 
26. ^ "IGN Game Boy: Games, Cheats, News, Reviews, and Previews". IGN.com. http://gameboy.ign.com/index/choice.html. Retrieved 2009-07-10. 
27. ^ Harris, Craig (2001-07-23). "Castlevania Breaks Half a Mil". IGN. IGN Entertainment. http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/096/096821p1.html. Retrieved 2010-02-24. 
28. ^ "NP Top 200". Nintendo Power 200: pp. 58–66. February 2006 
29. ^ Minkley, Johnny (2002-07-18). "Konami's vampire Harmony". Computer and Video Games. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 
30. ^ "CASTLEVANIA" (in Japanese). Konami. 2002. http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/CV01/chronology.html. Retrieved 2007-05-19. 
31. ^ Staff. "55. Koji Igarashi". IGN. IGN Entertainment. http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/55.html. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 
32. ^ Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). "Tales from The Crypt: Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109. Retrieved 2007-05-19.