Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

This page details one or more prototype versions of Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

A demo was created for Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Game Comparison#

Compared to the final version, the demo version made some changes:

The Seizure Warning and ESRB Rating (T) appear after the game starts up, followed by the game's logo, then the game boots up like it does in the final version.
Removed accessibility to all (but one) rooms by adding blockades and walls to various exits. The only room that was not blocked off (but can only be accessed by patching in abilities to jump further) is on the other side of the bridge. However, the exit on the far right side (leading to the Demon Guest House) is blocked off.
Removed one blockade that is normally in front of a warp point near the beginning of the game.
All enemies after the warp point had their HP reduced to reflect the lower level the player would have when entering the last area.
Starting equipment is slightly different: the player starts with a Short Sword instead of a Knife.
Game starts outside the castle instead of in town, so the player will not have three souls to start with.

Demo	Final

Only GAME START is available in the demo version.

Area Differences#

This does not account for any barricades and walls added to limit access within the game.

Demo	Final	Comments
		Short Sword was replaced with a Claymore, given the player starts with a Short Sword in the demo.
		Claymore was replaced with an Axe.
		Spear appears on the spot where the barricade was removed.
		Balore soul, Flea Man and blocks were added while the news article and Killer Dolls were removed.
		Buer and Quetzacoatl were replaced with a Malachi. The Malphas soul was added to the middle of the room.

Enemy Changes#

Killer Clown's Soul Rarity:

Demo	Final
*	**

Persephone's Soul, HP Recovery

Demo	Final
+1, all levels.	+2, Levels 1-4 +4, Levels 5-8 +6, Level 9

Persephone's soul cannot be obtained under normal circumstances.

Level/Experience Formula#

Experience uses a fixed incremental system. The increment itself increases by 18(final) with each level up, which is added to the NEXT value.

So for the amount of experience for the Next Level EXP, it goes:

Current EXP Needs + 28 + (18 * Current Level)

Demo	Final
Next Level EXP = Current EXP Needs + 20 + (12 * Current Level) Does not apply to levels 1 and 2.	Next Level EXP = Current EXP Needs + 28 + (18 * Current Level) Does not apply to level 1.

Chart Sample

	Demo
Level	EXP	NEXT
1	0	36
2	36	60
3	96	104
4	200	160
5	360	228
6	588	308
7	896	400
8	1296	504
9	1800	620
10	2420	748
20	17640	2688
30	57660	5828
40	134480	10168
50	260100	15708
60	446520	22448
70	705740	30388
80	1049760	39528
90	1490580	49868
99	1980000	0

In short, a lot less EXP is required to level up in the demo version.

Text Comparison#

Demo	Final
(Pickup Weapon / Item)
Press START to display menu screen.	N/A
(Save Room)
Save Room To restore HP and MP, press ↑ in front of the statue. You cannot save the game data in this demo version.	Save Room Press ↑ in front of the statue to save the game.
(Soma encounters two familiar faces)
Soma Cruz Huh? Those two... Yoko Belnades Ah, Soma! Julius Belmont Soma? I just remembered something. I've got to go. Yoko, you stay here, okay? Yoko Belnades J-Julius! Wait a minute! (Julius escapes) Yoko Belnades Why do you always do this? Oh, forget it... Soma. Here, take this. Here, take this. (Receives Magic Seal 1) Soma Cruz And this is? Yoko Belnades A Magic Seal. Soma Cruz Magic Seal? Yoko Belnades Yes, you'll need it to defeat certain enemies. Soma Cruz But how do I use it? Yoko Belnades Why don't we give it a try? (Option: Sure, I'll give it a try.) Yoko Belnades Good. Now watch closely. Draw a figure exactly as shown. Okay, now you try it. (Success) Yoko Belnades Good, that's it. Just don't forget how you did that. (Failure) Yoko Belnades Wait, hold on. That's not the right shape. The small circles indicate where you have to touch. Don't be too hasty, okay? Oh, yes, and you also have to touch the points in the proper sequence. Soma Cruz. I get it. Yoko Belnades Want to try again? (Option: Okay, once more) Yoko Belnades Okay, I'll show you again. (Option: No, that's okay. / No, it's okay.) Yoko Belnades Oh... Well, that's fine, then. (Continuing on) Yoko Belnades Oh, one more thing. You can practice drawing a Magic Seal anytime. If you're not sure how to do it, you should definitely practice. Soma Cruz Got it. Yoko Belnades A Magic seal activates on its own when it's needed. Give it a try and see. Oh, remember we ran into some enemy where Magic Seal was needed? I'll be with you. Let's get back to the place. Soma Cruz A-Alright.	Soma Cruz Huh? Those two... Yoko Belnades Oh! Soma! Julius Belmont ... Soma Cruz Yoko. Julius. What are you two doing here? Yoko Belnades Funny you should ask that. We got wind of this cult from a tip by Arikado. I'm investigating with Mr. Belmont. I'm sure you remember him, the hunter. Julius Belmont Soma, please understand. If the darkness draws you in... I have no choice but to destroy you. Soma Cruz Yes, I know... Julius Belmont Then, there is no reason for you to be here. Yoko Belnades That's right. You're only putting yourself in danger. Soma Cruz That Celia woman... Not only was she after me, shie tried to harm Mina, too. I'm not gonna stop until I find her. Julius Belmont You're determined, I see. Then, I have nothing more to say. Yoko Belnades Wait. Wait, Julius. How can you just say that? Julius Belmont I'll be going now. Yoko Belnades Wait a second. I'm coming, too. Julius Belmont No, Yoko, you stay. We'll need a contact here, just in case. Yoko Belnades Hey, wait! You can't just...! (Julius escapes) Yoko Belnades Men! They're so selfish! I bet you have no intention of going home, either. Soma Cruz Well, uh... Yoko Belnades Fine, then. Here, take this. (Receives Magic Seal 1) Soma Cruz And this is? Yoko Belnades A Magic Seal. Soma Cruz Magic Seal? Yoko Belnades The cult leader appears to create gates that draw the power of darkness. Monsters exposed to that power are said to be invincible Soma Cruz So how am I supposed to destroy them? Yoko Belnades That's where this Magic Seal comes in. Want to practice using it? (Option: Sure, I'll give it a try.) Yoko Belnades Good. Now watch closely. Draw a figure exactly as shown. Okay, now you try it. (Success) Yoko Belnades Good, that's it. Just don't forget how you did that. (Failure) Yoko Belnades Wait, hold on. That's not the right shape. The small circles indicate where you have to touch. Don't be too hasty, okay? Oh, yes, and you also have to touch the points in the proper sequence. Soma Cruz I get it. Want to try again? (Option: Okay, once more) Yoko Belnades Okay, I'll show you again. (Option: No, that's okay. / No, it's okay.) Yoko Belnades Oh... Well, that's fine, then. (Continuing on) Yoko Belnades Oh, one more thing. You can practice drawing a Magic Seal anytime. If you're not sure how to do it, you should definitely practice. Soma Cruz Got it. Yoko Belnades A Magic seal activates on its own when it's needed. Give it a try and see. Okay, now... Let's go, Soma. Soma Cruz Huh? Go where? Yoko Belnades It's a dead end here. Only Julius could get in from somewhere like this. We should go back and find a different way in Soma Cruz All right. If we have to... Yoko Belnades There's no shelter from the rain and wind here, either. Will you escort me? Soma Cruz Uh... Sure, of course. Yoko Belnades Thanks. Let's go.
(1st Sealed Door)
Yoko Belnades Yes, here it is! Ready to use the Magic Seal? Most likely, you'll need a a Magic Seal to finish off the monster in here. Just be calm and focus. I'll be waiting here. Soma Cruz No problem.	Yoko Belnades This door... It looks like you'll need a Magic Seal right away. Most likely, you'll need a a Magic Seal to finish off the monster in here. Just be calm and focus. I'll be waiting here. Soma Cruz No problem.
(After Flying Armor is defeated)
Yoko Belnades You did it! Soma Cruz. Using Magic Seals is a piece of cake. Yoko Belnades Well, it's not over yet. I'm sure there'll be even tougher enemies to battle. Soma Cruz. You think so? Yoko Belnades Yes, but you'll need more Magic Seals to defeat them. Once you find the right one, make sure you practice. I'm sure you'll be fine. Soma Cruz. I'll keep that in mind. Yoko Belnades Just hang in there, Soma. (Further Diuscussion) Yoko Belnades Just hang in there, Soma.	Yoko Belnades You did it! Soma Cruz. Using Magic Seals is a piece of cake. Yoko Belnades Don't be too sure. That Magic Seal won't be useful forever. Soma Cruz. What do you mean? Yoko Belnades They will probably prepare new and more complex patterns for Magic Seals. Soma Cruz. Hmm... Yoko Belnades But not to worry. They'll have the Magic Seal patterns hidden somewhere. If they don't, the gates to the dark side will be useless. Soma Cruz. I get it. Yoko Belnades I won't keep holding you up as my escort anymore. I can manage now. Soma Cruz. You sure? In that case, I'll be going now. Yoko Belnades Oh, there is one more thing though. Julius may have some new information, so come see me if you're close by. And Soma, please don't do anything reckless. Soma Cruz. Count on it. You take care, too, Yoko. (Further Diuscussion) Yoko Belnades Soma, please don't do anything reckless.

Various spelling and grammar errors were left intact.

Graphics Comparison#

Demo	Final

The two versions used different screens for when Soma lost all HP. The demo also used the Game Over screen after defeating Puppet Master.

Possible Glitch#

In the room past the drawbridge, a Skeleton Ape will appear (same as in the normal game). While rare, it is possible the enemy will not die properly, continue to move around the map, but it will not impede Soma, nor will it receive or do any damage.

v · t · e The Castlevania series
NES	Castlevania • Castlevania II: Simon's Quest • Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse • Kid Dracula
MSX2	Vampire Killer
Arcade	Haunted Castle • Akumajou Dracula: The Arcade
Game Boy	Castlevania: The Adventure • Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge • Castlevania Legends • Kid Dracula
SNES	Super Castlevania IV (Prototype) • Castlevania: Dracula X
Sharp X68000	Akumajou Dracula
TurboGrafx-CD	Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Genesis	Castlevania: Bloodlines (Prototypes)
PlayStation	Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Prototype) • Castlevania Chronicles
Sega Saturn	Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku
Nintendo 64	Castlevania • Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
Game Boy Advance	Castlevania: Circle of the Moon • Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance • Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Windows	Castlevania: Lords of Shadow • Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 • Haunted Castle Revisited
Nintendo DS	Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (Prototype) • Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin • Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
J2ME	Castlevania: Order of Shadows
PlayStation 2	Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
PlayStation Portable	Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles‎ (Prototype)
WiiWare	Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3	Castlevania: Harmony of Despair • Castlevania: Lords of Shadow • Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
Nintendo Switch	Haunted Castle Revisited