Castlevania: Symphony of the Night ----- Instruction Manual By Justin Sison http://home.att.net/~kaosu15 This instruction manual _may_ be reproduced electronically, as long as it remains in its unaltered form. You may also print it, but, of course, you _may not_ make money off of this - even if you _do_ give credit! That doesn't make it any more moral (or legal), folks! I want to take this time to humiliate EGM and Game Cave once more: "This means you!" This document copyright 1999 Justin Sison. This transcription of a manual is dedicated to Kao Megura, whose commitment to quality makes him the greatest FAQ writer the world will ever know (yes, I'm aware of John Culbert's work... :) --- HELPFUL NOTES: [t] . . . . . . . . . . . . triangle button [s] . . . . . . . . . . . . square button [x] . . . . . . . . . . . . x button [c] . . . . . . . . . . . . c button [u] . . . . . . . . . . . . up [l] . . . . . . . . . . . . left [d] . . . . . . . . . . . . down [r] . . . . . . . . . . . . right Also, if a section looks like it was already centered, it probably was. If a section looks like more could have fit, it probably could have, which means that it was like that in the manual. Otherwise, there would be no special aligning; I was just typing as much as I could before I justified a Hard Return. --- [inside front cover - pg. 1] WARNING: READ BEFORE USING YOUR PLAYSTATION CONSOLE. A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights. Exposure to certain patterns or backrounds on a television screen or while playing video games, including games played on the PlayStation Console, may induce previously undetected epileptic symptoms even in persons who have no history of prior seizures or epilepsy. If you, or anyone in your family, has an epileptic condition, consult your physician prior to playing. If you experience any of the following symptoms while playing a video game - dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions - IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your physician before resuming play. WARNING TO OWNERS OF PROJECTION TELEVISIONS: Still pictures or images may cause permanent picture-tube damage or mark the phosphor of the CRT. Avoid repeated or extended use of video games on large-screen projection televisions. Refer to your projection TV instruction manual for more details. HANDLING YOUR PLAYSTATION DISC: - This compact disc is intended for use only with the PlayStation game console. - Do not bend it, crush it, or submerge it in liquids - Do not leave it in direct sunlight or near a radiator or other source of heat. - Be sure to take an occasional rest break during extended play. - Keep this compact disc clean. Always hold the disc by the edges and keep it in its protective case when not in use. Clean the disc with a lint-free, soft, dry cloth, wiping in straight lines from center to outer edge. Never use solvents or abrasive cleaners. --- [pg. 2] Contents Page Controlling the Horror . . . 4 Prologue . . . . . . . . . . 7 Characters . . . . . . . . . 9 Starting the Game . . . . . . 13 Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 On Screen Display . . . . . . 15 Items . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Spells . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Status . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Selecting Systems . . . . . . 22 Rooms . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Consumer support information . . . . . . 26 --- [pg. 3] Set up your PlayStation Console according to the instructions in its Instruction Manual. Make sure the PlayStation power is off before inserting or removing a compact disc. Insert the Castlevania Symphony of the Night disc and close the Disc Cover. Insert game controllers and turn on the PlayStation Console. Follow on-screen instructions to start a game. Thank you very much for purchasing Konami's Castlevania Symphony of the Night. Before playing, please read this manual carefully to ensure correct use. ------------------------------ Console ------------------------------ Top view and front view Disc cover Reset button Power button Open button Power Indicator Memory card slot 1 Memory card slot 2 Controller port 1 Controller port 2 --- [pg. 4] Controlling the Horror Connect the controller to port 1 of your PlayStation unit. The default button settings are shown in the following pages. --------------------------- Controller ------------------------------- Top view L2 button R2 button L1 button R1 button [t] button [c] button [x] button [s] button START button Directional SELECT button button The user is able to reset to the title screen by holding down the Select button and then pressing and holding down the Start button. --- [pg. 5] Richter Controls for the "Final Stage" only. These button settings cannot be changed from the menu screen. [s] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attack with whip Directional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Move Richter buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [l][r] button | Move left / right [x] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jump [t] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Super attack [u] + [s] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use special weapon START button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pause Hold down [s] button + Directional buttons . Brandish whip [d] + [x] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Slide Press [x] button twice: . . . . . . . . . . . Back somersault --- [pg. 6] Alucard You can change the button functions of your controller from the "System" menu screen. [s] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use the weapon or item in Alucard's right hand [c] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Use the weapon or item in Alucard's left hand Directional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Move Alucard / Highlight item on menu screens buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [l][r] button | Move left / right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [d] button | Crouch / move elevators down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [u] button | Sit in chair / Save (only on SAVE screens) [x] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jump / Select items on menu screens [u] + [c] or [s] button . . . . . . . . . . . Use special weapon [t] button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back dash START button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pause game and bring up the character status menu screen SELECT button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pause game and bring up the map screen R1 button: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shapeshift into bat (requires special item) R2 button: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shapeshift into wolf (requires special item) L1 button: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shapeshift into mist (requires special item) [x] button during jump . . . . . . . . . . . Double jump (requires special item) --- [pg. 7] Prologue It was Richter Belmont, the legendary vampire hunter, who succeeded in finally ending the menace of Count Dracula, Lord of the Vampires who had been brought back from the grave by the dark priest Shaft. However, one night 4 years later, under the glare of a full moon, Richter mysteriously vanished. With no idea where to begin her search, Maria Renard set out to look for him. It was then that fate intervened. Castlevania, the castle of Dracula, which is rumored to appear once every century, sud- denly materialized from out of the mist as if to show her the way. --- [pg. 8] Meanwhile, powerful forces were struggling for the soul of a man named Alucard. The very same Alucard who had teamed up with Trevor Belmont to battle his immortal father, Count Vlad Tepes Dracula. Alucard, in order to purge the world of his own cursed blood line, had submerged his vampiric powers and entered into what was supposed to be an eternal slumber. But now, he is awake and aware of the evil once again at work in his homeland. The time has once again come for the forces of Good and Evil to engage in their ancient battle. Dracula's castle beckons you... And no man can say who shall emerge victorious. --- [pg. 9] Characters Alucard (Real name: Adrian Farenheights Tepes) Age: Estimated to be 400 years old The offspring of an unnatural union between Count Dracula and a human woman, Alucard possesses inhuman strength and dark magical powers. His weapon of choice is a sword, and he uses a variety of them to serve his needs. He is an adept shapeshifter, commonly using the forms of wolf, bat, and mist to confuse and terrify his opponents. Alucard also relies heav- ily on ancient relics and magical items to per- form elaborate magical attacks. --- [pg. 10] Richter Belmont Age: 24 Every generation of the Belmont clan has pro- duced together, more dedicated vampire hunters-yet Richter stands above all others. Brandishing the legendary sacred whip which so many of his predecessors wielded, this hot-blooded youth pushed Dracula to the brink. Then, with an almost indestructible will to survive and emerge victorious, Richter defeated Dracula in a massive battle five years ago. However, he has been missing for a year - vanishing mysteriously under the light of a full moon. Maria Renard Age: 17 As Richter's sister-in-law, Maria is not a Belmont by blood, but she has the fiery determination of a vampire hunter coursing through her veins. She aided Richter five years ago in the defeat of Dracula, and has vowed to find him now that he has vanished. Shortly after beginning her search, however, the ancient Castlevania returned to the earthly plane. Fearlessly, she entered the castle alone. --- [pg. 11] Death This evil spirit is an ally of Dracula's, which should come as a suprise to no one famil- iar with the Count's nocturnal activities. Master Librarian He is the keeper of the library in Dracula's castle. He has accumu- lated a wealth of knowledge over the centuries, and some special items, as well, which he will part with-for a price. --- [pg. 12] Count Dracula (Real name: Dracula Vlad Tepes) Age: Estimated to be 800 years old He has been known by many names through the ages, but no matter what you choose to call him, one truth remains: he is the embodiment of all that is dark and evil. He is father of Alucard and master of Castlevania the dark castle steeped in terror and black magic. It is said to appear on the human plane of existence once every 100 years. Though Richter destroyed Castlevania and its evil landlord five years ago, it has reappeared without warning. Lisa Alucard's mother and Dracula's wife. She is the only woman Dracula has ever loved, yet for some reason he had chosen not to take away her human form and bring her over to the dark ranks of the vampire. She was a good, kind-hearted soul who was mistakenly executed as a witch for preparing medicine to help the sick. --- [pg. 13] Starting the game Once the Title logo has appeared, press the START button to go to the File Select screen. 1 File Select: Select a file 2 Name Change: Change the name you use in the game 3 File Copy: Copy a file 4 File Delete: Delete a file Playing a new game Select an empty file from "File Select", input your name at the Name Entry screen, then press the START button to begin. After the introductory movie is finished you will take control of Richter Belmont in a brief recap of a classic moment in Castlevania history. See page 5 for details on Richter's basic moves. Playing a saved game If you saved your progress onto a memory card last time you played, you can resume play from the last save location (see page 24, "Save rooms"). Insert the memory card into the memory card slot 1 or slot 2, then select the game you wish to continue playing from "File Select". Use the directional button to highlight the save game you wish to use. Press the [x] button to load the file. Note: Absolutely do not pull out or insert memory cards when the game is loading. --- [pg. 14] Castlevania Symphony of the Night Rules You are Alucard. Raging through you is the hunger and bloodlust of your vampire father, and the gentle, empathetic compassion of your human mother. As you have tried to come to terms with that constant internal struggle, you have recognized an outer struggle as well-the need to destroy Castlevania and bury the demons both within the castle and within your soul. On your mission, you will discover ancient relics that will open new paths to you. Hidden weapons and magical items from a time long forgotten will be uncovered. Some weapons and items have restricted use-you must earn "hearts" to enable them. As your quest continues, you will encounter myriad monsters and dark forces who will challenge your progress. Every victory gives you experience, which yields power and strength. Gradually, you will be able to face and defeat stronger and stronger foes. When you receive damage, you lose some of your life force. Because you are half human, you can be defeated more easily than your father. If your life drains to zero, the Start screen will reappear, and (if you saved a game in the progress) you can resume play from the last saved position. --- [pg. 15] On Screen Display During Play: 1 Number of hearts: Decreases when you use special weapons, and increases when you get hearts. 2 Special weapon: Shows the special weapon you possess. 3 Player life meter: The game ends when this meter reaches 0. 4 Magic meter: Goes down when you use magical attacks or shapeshift. This meter will replenish slowly. 5 Name of enemy character: Appears when you hit an enemy (requires a special item) Map screen Shows the rooms you have visited in the castle and your current location. The auto map feature will display the rooms as you explore them. Blue . . . . . . . . . . . Shows rooms you have already visted. Gray . . . . . . . . . . . Shows rooms you haven't visited yet. (only visible when you acquire a special item) Red . . . . . . . . . . . Save locations Yellow . . . . . . . . . . Teleport rooms Circle of light . . . . . Your current location. --- [pg. 16] Character Status Menu You can check Alucard's current status from this screen. HP . . . . . . . . . . . Life level (current / Max) MP . . . . . . . . . . . Magic level (current / Max) HEART . . . . . . . . . Number of hearts (current / Max) ROOMS . . . . . . . . . Number of rooms you have visited KILLS . . . . . . . . . Number of enemies you have defeated LEVEL . . . . . . . . . Current level STATUS . . . . . . . . . Shows whether you are poisoned or turned to stone, etc. ATT ([s]+[c] buttons) . Shows the attack power for each button DEF . . . . . . . . . . Shows your current defensive power STR . . . . . . . . . . Strength level. This affects your basic attack power. CON . . . . . . . . . . Constitution (how strong your body is) This affects your basic defense power. INT . . . . . . . . . . Intelligence level. This affects your magic attack power. LCK . . . . . . . . . . Luck. This affects critical hits and other actions. EXP . . . . . . . . . . Experience points. NEXT . . . . . . . . . . The number of points you need to advance to the next level. GOLD . . . . . . . . . . The amount of money you have. EQUIP . . . . . . . . . Lets you equip weapons, etc. (See page 17) SPELLS . . . . . . . . . Chart showing the spells you've learned (See page 21) RELICS . . . . . . . . . Shows the relics you possess and whether or not they are equipped. (See page 19) SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . Equipment, button, and sound settings. (See page 22) FAMILIARS . . . . . . . Shows the status of familiars you can currently control (when you want to use a familiar, you select one from amongst your relics). --- [pg. 17] Items There are four kinds of items Alucard uses: normal items, equipment items, relics, and special weapons. Normal Items Items may appear when you defeat enemies and destroy candles. These items will increase your power. Small / large heart Dollar bags The number of You can increase the amount times you can use of money you have by get- special weapons thing dollar bags. will increase. Equipment items Equipment items such as weapons, armor and accessories will increase your attack or defense power. Other equipment items will include medicine, food, and potions. The equipment screen is vital to your success in the game. Here you can switch and equip the various items found throughout the castle. Use the Directional buttons to scroll up and down through the "Equip areas" (Right hand, left hand, head, etc.). Press the "X" button to select an "Equip Area", then use the Directional buttons to scroll through your possible items. Note: Be sure to read the ATTACK and DEFENSIVE abilities of each item (if available). This will help you choose the right weapon / item at the right time. When you have made your selection, press the "X" button to equip it. --- [pg. 18] [c]+[s] buttons These represent the Left and Right hands of Alucard. Each hand can be equipped separately. For example: a sword can be equipped in one hand and a shield in the other. Some items require both hands so you will not be hold anything else when using these items. Certain items like the shuriken are expendable and can only be used once. Items such as food and medicine must be equipped and used by pressing the appropriate button. Types of weapons 1 Fist weapons Only effective with close range. 2 Short swords Effective within close to medium range. 3 Swords Basic single handed swords. 4 Two-handed Swords These are powerful weapons with a long reach. However, both hands are required to wield these weapons properly. 5 Club weapons Some enemies are easier to defeat with these types of weapons. Some equipment can work together to create a tremendous special attack. Experiment with different combos when acquiring new items. *There are many other items; these are just a few of them. --- [pg. 19] Relics Relics are items that let you use special pow- ers and effects. They are hidden in various rooms throughout the castle. There are some rooms you cannot enter unless you obtain a particular relic. When you obtain a relic, go to "Relics" in the Sub screen and check whether it is ON / OFF and what effect it has. If a relic isset to OFF it will have no effect. Cube of Zoe Leap Stone The first relic you find. Press the X button while jumping to When activated, this execute a second jump. relic will allow items to appear when you Soul of Bat destroy candles. Enables you to change into a bat. Consumes magic power. Soul of Wolf Enables you to change into a wolf. Consumes magic power. Form of Mist Enables you to change into mist. consumes magic power. * There are many other relics; these are just a few of them. --- [pg. 20] Special weapons You can only possess one special weapon at a time. When you pic up a new one of these "special weapons", the old one will be tossed aside. It will remain on the screen for a moment before vanishing, so that you may retrieve it if you change your mind about which item you'd like to possess. You will need to use some of your "hearts" to use these weapons. The number of hearts needed depends on the weapon. Bottle of holy water Axe When thrown, fire springs up in the An effective weapon to throw at place it lands, causing damage. enemies if you want to cause damage from a distance. Very Holy book effective against flying enemies. Unleashing the holy words in these Cross books causes damage to your evil opponents. The most powerful Special weapon, attacks all enemies on screen. Knife Clock Use to attack enemies in front ofyou. The knife is fast but not very powerful. Stops time for enemies. However, there are some enemies on which Rebound stone it has little or no effect. A special stone that rebounds from Agunea the floor or walls when it hits them. Strikes enemies with sacred Bibuti lightning. When it hits, you can continue the attack by holding The embodiment of holy ashes down th attack button until all created by a saint. Damages any your hearts are gone. enemies that it touches. --- [pg. 21] Special Note: Certain weapons have an additional effect when attacking enemies. Some effects such as Fire, Ice, or Poison may do additional damage. Spells The ancient castle has been used for dark purposes for eons. The magic contained inside it is powerful. You may learn some of the spells during your quest. Casting the spells is a trial and error process. Use the SPELLS sub- menu (in the Character Status screen) to select spells. Casting them consumes magic power, but not "hearts". Spells are not necessary to accomplish your mission, but they may make some tasks easier. --- [pg. 22] Status Alucard may suffer the following effects when hit by special enemy attacks. Stone . . . . . Alucard turns into a statue and cannot move. Rapidly hit the Directional Buttons left and right to free him. The "Hammer" can be used to free him immediately, but Alucard cannot use it on himself. Poison . . . . Reduces Alucard's attack and defense power for a certain period. Use the "Anti-venom" equipment item to immediately neutrailze the poison. Curse . . . . . Alucard loses his power to attack and defend with a weapon for a certain period. Use the "Uncurse" potion to immediately break the curse. Selecting systems You can reconfigure various settings by accessing the SYSTEM sub-menu (in the Character Status screen). The new settings will be saved automatically the next time you save your progress. Button settings . . . Change the button functions of your controller. Press the Directional Buttons left / right to change the settings. Window color . . . . Change the color of the menu windows displayed throughout the game. Sound . . . . . . . . Set the game sound to stereo or mono. Note: Other functions will become available after you acquire certain items. --- [pg. 23] Rooms Dracula's home is a labyrinth of great rooms, ghastly corridors and twisted tunnels. When you obtain special relics, new routes and hidden rooms may become accessible to you, even rooms you've already visited. If you notice an unusual area during your mission, revisit it after discovering new relics-you may find new adventures ahead! Final Stage: Bloodlines Entering Castlevania Relive the final showdown between Meet Death face-to-face, and live to Richter and Dracula. tell about it. Lookout Point Marble Gallery What mystery does the telescope help unravel? Look inside and see! --- [pg. 24] Long Library This is the domain of the Master Librarian. He's willing to help any adventurer who passes through-for a price. Buy item . . . . . . . Buy a variety of weapons and items. Sell gem . . . . . . . Sell gems you've obtained to get money. Tactics . . . . . . . Get information to help you in battle. Sound Test . . . . . . Listen to music of Castlevania. Enemy List . . . . . . Look at data on enemies you've fought. Exit . . . . . . . . . Exit. Save rooms These are rooms where you can recover strength and save your progress. They are located throughout Castlevania. Save . . . . . . . Stand beneath the cube in the center of the room and press the [u] directional button. When the cube has transformed into a coffin, the process is complete. If you want to save your progress without overwriting your current game, press the [u] directional button, then the [t] button. Note: Absolutely do not pull out or insert memory cards when saving. If the user selects "Yes" from the "Yes" or "No" options, the game will be saved, however, if the user selects "No" from the first "Yes" or "No" options and selects "Yes" from the second "Yes" or "No" options, a new save block will be started. --- [pg. 25] Castlevania Symphony of the Night Notes ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ --- [pg. 26] Consumer support If you feel stuck in the game, or just need a boost, don't worry! You can call the Konami Game Hint & Tip Line for help on this software and all the fine Konami products. Konami Game Hint & Tip Line 1-900-896-HINT (4486) - 85 cents per minute charge - $1.15 per minute support from a game counselor - Touch tone phone required - Minors must have parental permission before dialing Hints are available 24 hours a day. Live support Monday-Friday 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CST only. Prices and availability are subject to change. U.S. accessibility only. Online support Konami is availible online from: CompuServe: Click FIND then type konami. We are in the videogame publisher's forum. In addition to reading and sending messages, you can receive press releases, hints, codes and other files. If you are not already a CompuServe member, you can call CompuServe toll-free at 1-800-524-3388. Reach us on the World Wide Web at: www.konami.com E-mail us at 76004.3530@compuserve.com KONAMI OF AMERICA, INC. LIMITED WARRANTY Konami of America, Inc. warrants to the original purchaser of this Konami software product that the medium on which this computer program is recorded is free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days from th date of purchase. This Konami software program is sold "as is," without express or inplied warranty of any kind, and Konami is not liable for any losses or damages of any kind resulting from use of this program. Konami agrees for a period of ninety (90) days to either repair or replace, at its option, free of charge, and any Konami software product, postage paid, with proof of date and purchase, at its Factory Service Center. This warranty is not applicable to normal wear and tear. This warranty shall not be applicable and shall be void if the defect in the Konami software has arisen through abuse, unreasonable use, mistreatment or neglect. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE SHALL BE BINDING ON OR OBLIGATE KONAMI. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES APPLICABLE TO THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED TO THE NINETY (90) DAY PERIOD OR DESCRIBED ABOVE. IN NO EVENT WILL KONAMI BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCEDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR MALFUNCTION OF THIS KONAMI SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Some states do not allow limitations as to how long an implied warranty lasts and/or exclusions or limitations of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitations and/or exclusions of liability may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.