Jump to content

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"CotM" redirects here. For the video game in the Bloodstained series, see Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
North American box art depicting the main protagonist, Nathan Graves
Developer(s)Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe
Publisher(s)Konami
Director(s)Rieko Taya
Producer(s)Kōji Horie
Designer(s)Kōji Horie
Programmer(s)Koji Yoshida
Yoshiki Domae
Artist(s)Kazuko Fujihara
Composer(s)
  • Sōtarō Tojima
  • Hiroshi Mitsuoka
SeriesCastlevania
Platform(s)Game Boy Advance
Release
  • JP: March 21, 2001
  • NA: June 11, 2001[1]
  • PAL: June 22, 2001
Genre(s)Action role-playing, Metroidvania
Mode(s)Single-player

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon[a][b] is a 2001 action role-playing game developed and published by Konami for the Game Boy Advance handheld game console. The game was developed as a stand-alone title in the Castlevania series and as a launch title for the Game Boy Advance.

The game's plot follows a vampire hunter named Nathan Graves as he attempts to rescue his mentor from the clutches of Dracula. Following the Metroidvania style of gameplay established by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Circle of the Moon expands on the magic attack mechanics of the former with the Dual Set-Up System, which allows for attacks to be mixed and matched by players as they see fit.

The game sold 500,000 units worldwide and received critical acclaim, with praise for its world design, mechanics, and scope, while some criticized the dark visuals. Circle of the Moon was re-released as part of the Castlevania Advance Collection on September 23, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One alongside Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, and Castlevania: Dracula X.[3]

Gameplay

[edit]
The Dual Set-Up System allows the player to customize how they cast magic attacks. Here, the system is being applied to Nathan Grave's (center) whip, giving it fire properties, in order to make his attack against the enemy (right) more powerful.
See also: Gameplay of the Castlevania series

Similarly to Castevania: Symphony of the Night, Circle of the Moon is a 2D Metroidvania that features side-scrolling action with an emphasis on exploration and combat. Role-playing game elements like leveling character statistics and collecting equipment that augment those statistics are also present.[4][5] Players traverse an abandoned castle with the end goal of defeating Dracula. As the main protagonist—Nathan Graves—progresses through the castle, he learns new skills and acquires equipment and items that allow further exploration in the game.[6] Like previous Castlevania titles prior to Symphony of the Night, Nathan primarily uses a whip to attack enemies alongside secondary weapons, which require ammo to be used.[4]

A unique gameplay feature is the Dual Set-Up System (DSS), which allows players to customize their magic attacks. DSS is based around a series of cards, categorized as either an Action or Attribute card, which are dropped by enemies randomly.[7] When an Action and Attribute card are paired, a variety of different effects can occur that, when activated, can either offer a passive effect or temporarily increase Nathan's offensive or defensive statistics.[8] There are a total of twenty cards that can be obtained, ten for each category. making for a total of 100 different DSS combinations.[9]

Alternate Modes

[edit]

Circle of the Moon features four alternate modes of gameplay available by inputting a code on the file select screen. The codes "Fireball", "Gradius", "Crossbow", and "Dagger" unlock "Magician Mode", "Fighter Mode", "Shooter Mode" and "Thief Mode" respectively.[c] The alternate modes do not change the player character or explorable area in anyway, but instead alters Nathan's statistics. Magician Mode starts Nathan with decreased offensive and defensive statistics, but begins with an increased intelligence stat and all DSS cards. Fighter Mode does not permit the use of DSS cards, but increases Nathan's strength and endurance stats. Shooter Mode allows a larger amount of secondary weapon ammo to be carried, but decreases offensive, defensive and health stats. Thief Mode reduces Nathan's offensive and defensive stats, but increases his luck statistic greatly.[10]

Plot and Setting

[edit]

Circle of the Moon takes place in the fictional universe of the Castlevania series. The series premise is the eternal conflict between the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. The game is set in 1830 Europe, and its story unfolds in an old castle on the outskirts of the Austrian Empire.[11]

Characters

[edit]

The game features some returning characters from previous titles, however most of the cast of characters are new to the series, such as the main protagonist: Nathan Graves. Nathan wields the powerful Hunter Whip, which was passed down to him by his mentor, Morris Baldwin. Assisting Nathan is Hugh Baldwin, Morris's son, who trained alongside Nathan but is also envious of him because he wields the Hunter Whip, which Hugh feels should be his by birthright.

Similar to other Castlevania titles, the main villain is Dracula who serves as the game's final boss. Also returning from prior titles in the series is Camilla, a loyal servant to Dracula who revels in restoring his full power.

Story

[edit]

A decade prior to the start of the game, Nathan's parents and Morris Baldwin attempt to banish Dracula. Nathan's parents perish in the conflict, but Dracula is successfully sealed away.[12] In present day, Morris has trained Nathan and Hugh in combat in order to prepare them for whenever Dracula reawakens. At the beginning of the game, Camilla successfully manages to reawaken Dracula, however she is interrupted by the arrival of Nathan, Hugh, and Morris. Before they are able to react, Dracula destroys the floor under Nathan and Hugh, causing them to plummet down to the castle's catacombs. Both of them survive the fall and the two realize that they must find Morris. Wishing to find his father, Hugh leaves Nathan behind, believing that Nathan would just get in the way.[13] Undeterred, Nathan proceeds to search the castle for his mentor.

Exploring the castle, Nathan learns that at the next full moon, Morris' soul will be used to return Dracula to full power.[14] He also periodically encounters Hugh, who becomes more hostile as the game progresses.[15][16] Eventually, Nathan encounters Camilla, who hints that she and Dracula are responsible for the changes in his personality.[17] 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. Nathan defeats him, and Dracula's control over Hugh breaks. Hugh confesses that he doubted his self-worth when Nathan was chosen as successor and tasks him with Morris' rescue.[18]

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.[19] 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. Nathan continues the battle and defeats Dracula; escaping the collapsing castle, he reunites with Morris and Hugh. Nathan is declared a master vampire hunter by Morris. Hugh vows to retrain under Morris due to his failure.

Development and Release

[edit]

Developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe, Circle of the Moon was designed as a launch title for the Game Boy Advance. First announced at Space World 2000[20], the game was later shown off via a playable demo at the Autumn 2000 Tokyo Game Show.[21] GameSpot staff claimed that Hugh Baldwin was playable in the demo alongside Nathan Graves[22], however this seems to be a misconception as screenshots of the demo feature Nathan prominently. The claim likely spawned due to the character names and plot of the game remaining obscure within the demo, leaving gaming websites with interpreting scattered information from related promotional material.[citation needed]

Circle of the Moon was published by Konami in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North America on June 11, 2001, and as Castlevania in the PAL region on June 22, 2001. IGN reported on July 23, 2001, that Circle of the Moon sold over 500,000 units, with over 300,000 sold in North America and about 200,000 sold in Europe.[23] The game later saw a Japanese-only re-release under the "Konami the Best" label on November 3, 2005.[citation needed] It was published on the Wii U Virtual Console on October 9, 2014, in North America.[24]

Reception

[edit]

Circle of the Moon received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[25]

Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu gave the game a 27 out of 40 score.[30] 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, they 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".[6] Michael "Major Mike" Weigand of GamePro said that the game closely mirrored the most highly acclaimed Castlevania game, Symphony of the Night with its rich graphics and branching story.[38][e] 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".[5] 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 they criticized the lack of decent artificial intelligence on the part of the enemies.[32] NextGen called it "one of the best 2D action-adventure games ever made – for any platform."[33] However, Edge gave the Japanese import seven out of ten, saying, "There is little of note that can be considered new, and yet the balance of play is as strong as ever – Konami's original formula shines through, a mix of quality platforming, fine graphics and undeniable branding. Age has not withered the mix at all."[39] Game Informer's Tim Turi felt in the game's retrospective that it was the first game to imitate Symphony of the Night's style but criticized the dark visuals.[40]

Several gaming publications nominated Circle of the Moon with awards and distinctions. The game was nominated for "Best Action-Adventure Game" and "Best Game Boy Advance Game" at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, both of which went to Grand Theft Auto III and Advance Wars, respectively.[41][42] It was also a nominee for "Console Role-Playing Game of the Year" at the AIAS' 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which was ultimately awarded to Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance.[43] The game was also nominated at The Electric Playground's 2001 Blister Awards for "Portable Game of the Year", but lost to Advance Wars.[44]

Legacy

[edit]

Despite the game's success, series producer Koji Igarashi, who had not been involved in its production, was 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.[45] In 2002, Circle of the Moon was removed from the series' timeline,[46] a move met with some resistance from fans.[47] Igarashi noted the reason for the removal was not due to his non-involvement with the game, but instead the intention of the game's development team for Circle of the Moon to be a stand-alone title.[48]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Known in Japan as Akumajō Dracula: Circle of the Moon (Japanese: 悪魔城ドラキュラ サークル オブ ザ ムーン, Hepburn: Akumajō Dorakyura: Sākuru obu za Mūn, Demon Castle Dracula: Circle of the Moon)[2]
  2. ^ This made it the third installment in the series to be titled Castlevania in PAL regions.
  3. ^ The alternate mode codes will not work until the prior mode has first been completed. This cycle starts as soon as you have completed the game normally.
  4. ^ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 10/10, 9/10, and 9.5/10.
  5. ^ GamePro gave the game two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "GBA Top 10 Games - 2001". GameShark. No. Holiday. December 2001. p. 69.
  2. ^ Konami. Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. Konami. Japanese: 歴代の「悪魔城ドラキュラ」シリーズから選ばれた登場キャラクターを操作して、仲間たちと悪魔城に乗り込み、宿敵ドラキュラ伯爵に立ち向かおう。 English translation: Take control of past protagonists from the Castlevania series to brave the Demon Castle alongside friends and defeat the ancient enemy Count Dracula.
  3. ^ Antonio Pineda, Rafael (September 24, 2021). "Konami Releases Castlevania Advance Collection With 4 Games". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Gerstmann, Jeff (June 7, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 21, 2001. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Alley, Jake (2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Review". RPGamer. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 24, 2001. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Harris, Craig (June 14, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Metts, Johnathan (July 25, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Review". Nintendo World Report.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Instruction Booklet (PDF). Konami. June 11, 2001. p. 19.
  9. ^ Lord-Moncrief, Devon (April 17, 2025). "Castlevania's Debut on the Game Boy Advance Is a Fantastic Game That Should've Stayed Canon". MSN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Johnson, Blake (2022-07-06). "Castlevania: How to Unlock Circle of the Moon's Alternate Modes (& What They Do)". CBR. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  11. ^ Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Instruction Booklet (PDF). Konami. June 11, 2001. p. 3.
  12. ^ Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Instruction Booklet (PDF). Konami. June 11, 2001. pp. 20–21.
  13. ^ Nathan: Hmm... no creatures around here. Hugh, are you okay? / Hugh: Yeah. We were just brushed aside and ignored.../ 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. Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-6-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  14. ^ 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. Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-06-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  15. ^ 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... Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-6-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  16. ^ Hugh: Damn! Who asked you for help! / Nathan: I couldn't just leave you, could I? / Hugh: Don't think that you defeated it. It was the power of that whip. / ... / 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 judgement. Don't forget that! Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-06-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  17. ^ Nathan: You are delusional! / Camilla: If only you too would embrace darkness in your soul, then a new world would unfold before you. / ... / Camilla: The one who was with you...he was more honest with himself. Even MY MASTER approves of him. (giggles) / Nathan: What? What have you done to Hugh? Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-06-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  18. ^ Hugh: Nathan, I am sorry. I was envious of you. / ... / Hugh: When father named you the successor, I was afraid that I was worthless. I wanted... needed the recognition. / ... / Hugh: That was probably 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. Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-06-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  19. ^ Dracula: Impeccable timing. The time for the rite is upon us. Your soul will become ours as well. / Nathan: Not if I can help it! Master are you alright?! / 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. / ... / Dracula: ... To be loved by all ... to get the glory at the expense of others. That is what your friend craved. I just increased that desire, that power. Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited (2001-06-11). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Game Boy Advance). Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Limited.
  20. ^ "pocket.ign.com: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon preview". web.archive.org. 2000-10-17. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  21. ^ "TGS 2000: Hands on with Castlevania GBA". IGN. 2000-09-22. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  22. ^ GameSpot staff (September 21, 2000). "TGS 2000 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Hands-On". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 21, 2001. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  23. ^ Harris, Craig (July 23, 2001). "Castlevania Breaks Half a Mil". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  24. ^ Campbell, Evan (September 25, 2014). "Castlevania: Dracula X and Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Coming to Wii U Virtual Console". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  26. ^ Semerad, Jay. "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  27. ^ Chou, Che; MacDonald, Mark; Dudlak, Jonathan (July 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 144. Ziff Davis. p. 89. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  28. ^ Lucas, Victor (July 4, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on January 4, 2003. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  29. ^ Bramwell, Tom (July 4, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 16, 2001. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "悪魔城ドラキュラ 〜サークル オブ ザ ムーン〜". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  31. ^ Fitzloff, Jay (July 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon [score mislabeled as "8.75/10"]". Game Informer. No. 99. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on May 28, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  32. ^ a b Bub, Andrew S. (October 16, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  33. ^ a b "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". NextGen. No. 79. Imagine Media. July 2001. p. 63. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  34. ^ Meyer, Lee (October 27, 2014). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Review". Nintendo Life. Hookshot Media. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  35. ^ "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". Nintendo Power. Vol. 146. Nintendo of America. July 2001.
  36. ^ Thomas, Damien (July 11, 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon". RPGFan. Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  37. ^ "Editor's Choice (GBA)". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 12, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2009.
  38. ^ Weigand, Michael "Major Mike" (July 2001). "Castlevania: Circle of the Moon" (PDF). GamePro. No. 154. IDG. p. 39. Archived from the original on March 10, 2005. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  39. ^ Edge staff (May 2001). "Castlevania: Circle Of The Moon [sic] [JP Import]" (PDF). Edge. No. 97. Future Publishing. p. 78. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  40. ^ Turi, Tim (April 4, 2012). "Ranking The Castlevania Bloodline". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  41. ^ GameSpot staff (2002). "The Best and Worst of 2001 (Best Action-Adventure Game Nominees)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on August 4, 2002. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  42. ^ GameSpot staff (2002). "The Best and Worst of 2001 (Best Game Boy Advance Game Nominees)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on June 12, 2002. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  43. ^ "5th Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  44. ^ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (Console Games 3)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on July 13, 2003. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  45. ^ Minkley, Johnny (July 18, 2002). "Interview: Konami's vampire Harmony". Computer and Video Games. Future plc. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  46. ^ "CASTLEVANIA". Konami (in Japanese). 2002. Archived from the original on April 29, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  47. ^ IGN staff (2009). "Top 100 Game Creators of All Time (55. Koji Igarashi)". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  48. ^ Kalata, Kurt (July 26, 2006). "Tales from The Crypt: Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out (Page 5)". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Castlevania:_Circle_of_the_Moon&oldid=1286154560"