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{{Short description|2002 video game}}

{{Infobox CVG| title = Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

{{Infobox video game

|image = [[Image:B-cvhod s.jpg|center|Official game box art]]

| title = Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

|developer = [[Konami|Konami/KCET]]

| image = Castlevania HoD NA Cover.jpg

|publisher = [[Konami]]

| caption = North American box art depicting main protagonist Juste Belmont

|designer =

| developer = [[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]]

|engine =

| publisher = Konami

|released = [[June 6]], [[2002]] ('''JP''')<br />[[September 16]], [[2002]] ('''NA''')<br />[[October 11]], [[2002]] ('''EU''')

| director = Takashi Takeda

|genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action adventure]]

|modes producer = [[SingleKoji playerIgarashi]]

| designer = {{ubl|Takashi Takeda|Shinichiro Shimamura}}

|ratings = [[ESRB]]: Teen (T)

| programmer = Kenji Miura

|platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]]

| artist = [[Ayami Kojima]]

|media = [[Cartridge (electronics)|Cartridge]]

| writer = Koji Igarashi

|requirements =

| composer = {{ubl|Soshiro Hokkai|[[Michiru Yamane]]}}

|input =

| series = ''[[Castlevania]]''

| platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]]

| released = {{vgrelease|JP|{{start date|2002|06|6}}|NA|September 17, 2002|EU|October 11, 2002}}

| genre = [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]], [[Metroidvania]]

| modes = [[Single-player]]

}}

'''''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance''''' (commonly abbreviated '''''HoD''''') is a [[video game]] created by [[Konami]] for the [[Nintendo]] [[Game Boy Advance]] system. It was originally released in [[Japan]] in [[2002]] under the title '''''Castlevania: Concerto of Midnight Sun''''' (&#12461;&#12515;&#12483;&#12473;&#12523;&#12532;&#12449;&#12491;&#12450;&#30333;&#22812;&#12398;&#21332;&#22863;&#26354; ''Castlevania: Hakuya no Ky&#333;s&#333;kyoku''), and is part of the ''[[Castlevania]]'' series. ''Harmony of Dissonance'' is set in [[1748]], and stars [[Juste Belmont]], a member of the legendary [[Castlevania characters#The Belmont Clan|Belmont]] family of vampire hunters.

'''''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Castlevania: Byakuya no Concerto'''''|キャッスルヴァニア 白夜の{{ruby|協|コン}}{{ruby|奏|チェ}}{{ruby|曲|ルト}}|Kyassuruvania Byakuya no Koncheruto|lit. ''Castlevania: Concerto of Midnight Sun''|lead=yes}}<ref>{{cite video game |title=Castlevania: Byakuya no Concerto |developer=[[Konami#Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo|Konami TYO]] |publisher=[[Konami]] |date=2002-06-06 |platform=[[Game Boy Advance]] |level=prologue, staff credits}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes |url=http://vgmdb.net/album/2947 |title=Dracula — Castlevania: Circle of the Moon – Castlevania: Concerto of Midnight Sun Original Soundtrack |year=2002 |publisher=[[Konami|Konami Music Entertainment, Inc.]] |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119031942/http://vgmdb.net/album/2947 |archive-date=2011-11-19 |url-status=live }}</ref> and later rebranded as {{nihongo|'''''Akumajō Dracula: Byakuya no Concerto'''''|悪魔城ドラキュラ 白夜の{{ruby|協|コン}}{{ruby|奏|チェ}}{{ruby|曲|ルト}}|Akumajō Dorakyura: Byakuya no Koncheruto|lit. ''Demon Castle Dracula: Concerto of Midnight Sun''|lead=yes}} for '''''[[:ja:アニバーサリーコレクション#Castlevania Advance Collection|Castlevania Advance Collection]]''''' in 2021.}} is a 2002 [[action role-playing game]] developed and published by [[Konami]] for the [[Game Boy Advance]]. The second installment of the ''[[Castlevania]]'' series on the Game Boy Advance, the game was released in Japan in June 2002 and in North America and [[PAL regions]] later that same year.

{{spoiler}}

''Harmony of Dissonance'' is set in the year 1748, fifty years after [[Simon Belmont]] vanquished [[Dracula (Castlevania)|Dracula's]] curse in ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]].'' ''Harmony of Dissonance'' focuses on Simon's grandson, Juste Belmont, and his quest to rescue a kidnapped childhood friend. Similarly to previous ''Castlevania'' titles, the game employs [[Role-playing video game|role-playing game]] features alongside more traditional [[Action-adventure game|action adventure game]] elements.

==The Story==

Two years prior to the game's beginning, [[Maxim Kischine]] left on a training expedition in order to cope with his self doubt after Juste Belmont was chosen over him to receive the legendary whip of the [[Belmont]] Clan, the [[Vampire Killer]]. Two years later, Maxim returned from his training expedition, badly wounded and with startling news: a childhood friend of Juste and Maxim by the name of [[Lydie Erlanger]] had been kidnapped. Maxim had also lost a great deal of his memory of the events of the past 2 years. Even so, he was able to lead Juste to the site of the disappearance, where they encountered a castle that hadn't been there previously. Juste hurried into the castle as Maxim recuperated in the entry way, promising to join Juste later.

[[Koji Igarashi]] produced ''Harmony of Dissonance'' with the intent of "creat[ing] a game that was similar to ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''", the critically acclaimed [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] game that he had worked on.<ref name="interview"/> ''Harmony of Dissonance'' sold 126,000 units in the United States in its first three months of sales, but it was not a success in Japan.<ref name="interview"/><ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/editor/2006/q2/041706bb.html|title=Crunching Numbers: DS vs. GBA|author=Boulette, Bryan|publisher=RPGamer|access-date=2010-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407135754/http://www.rpgamer.com/editor/2006/q2/041706bb.html|archive-date=2008-04-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> Critics praised its graphics which was considered an improvement over its predecessor, gameplay, and return to elements from ''Symphony of the Night'', while criticism was directed towards its confusing map design, story, and music.

As the story unfolds, Juste discovers that Maxim, in his eagerness to prove himself, had attempted to emulate the actions of [[Simon Belmont]]; he had gathered [[Dracula (Castlevania)|Dracula]]'s remains in an attempt to resurrect the Dark Count, so that he could defeat [[Dracula]] himself. Something went wrong, and Maxim himself was possessed by the spirit of Dracula. Knowing this, Juste set out to collect the remains himself so that he could destroy them in order to save both Maxim and Lydie.

The game 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: Circle of the Moon]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]'', and ''[[Castlevania: Dracula X]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Antonio Pineda |first1=Rafael |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Konami Releases Castlevania Advance Collection With 4 Games |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-09-24/konami-releases-castlevania-advance-collection-with-4-games/.177751 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>

After locating Lydie and the remains, Juste once again confronts Maxim, who has once again been overcome by Dracula's spirit. After Juste defeats Maxim, Dracula seizes the opportunity to escape Maxim's body and reform himself. Juste manages to defeat the Count in battle, but without Dracula's dark pressence, the castle begins to crumble. Juste, Lydie and Maxim escape with their lives.

==Gameplay==

[[File:Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance (gameplay).jpg|thumb|left|The [[HUD (video games)|HUD]] on the top left of the screen shows the player's current health (red), magic (blue), and what sub-weapon they are currently holding. At the center of the screen, the player character, Juste, is casting a magic attack. |233x233px]]

Gameplay in ''Harmony of Dissonance'' follows the model established in the series' "reinvention" with the release of ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''. At heart the game is a 2D action-RPG with level design based on similar principles to the ''[[Metroid]]'' series. The player collects new equipment and skills by exploring the game's castle setting and fighting increasingly powerful enemies and bosses, leading up to a climactic encounter with the castle's master.

''Harmony of Dissonance'' makes use of a [[Side-scrolling video game|2D side-scrolling style]] of gameplay, similar to many of the previous ''Castlevania'' video games.<ref name="Spot"/> The objective of the game is to lead the [[player character]], Juste Belmont, through the monster-filled castle as he searches for his kidnapped friend.<ref name="Spot"/> The castle consists of two "layers": Castle A and B. Structurally, each castle has mostly the same room layout, but monster types, items, and other aspects vary between the two versions. Later, the player can use special warp rooms that can teleport Juste to other castle rooms and between castles.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> The two castles share a connection; for example, the destruction of a wall in one castle can cause a change in the other.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> The game further divides the castle into various, named areas: the Shrine of the Apostates, for example.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> [[Relic]]s and keys found within the castle allow Juste to reach previously inaccessible areas.<ref name="RPGamer Preview"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_14.html|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/ Walkthrough|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311205916/http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_14.html|archive-date=2005-03-11|page=14|author=Kepper, Sean|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2011-06-09}}</ref> ''Harmony of Dissonance'' makes use of the forward dash move, which causes Juste to move forward with a short burst of speed.<ref name="IGN"/> Unique to ''Harmony of Dissonance'' is the ability to collect furniture and collectables to furnish a bare room that Juste finds in the castle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_16.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225044829/http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_16.html|archive-date=2012-02-25|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/ Walkthrough -Page 16|author=Kepper, Sean|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2010-03-02}}</ref>

Juste primarily attacks at close quarters using the series' traditional whip weapon, the [[Castlevania#Common elements|Vampire Killer]]. It can be brandished to deflect projectile attacks, reminiscent of Simon Belmont's usage of the weapon in ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]''.<ref name="Preview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniaharmonyofd/news.html?sid=2866082&mode=previews&tag=result%3Btitle%3B0&page=2|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Preview|author=Gamespot staff|date=2002-06-04|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=2010-07-05|archive-date=2012-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107051338/http://www.gamespot.com/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/previews/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance-preview-2866082/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A variety of ranged sub-weapons—holy water, a dagger, a [[holy book]], a cross, a gem, an axe, and a thunder gauntlet—are available, one of which can be carried at any given time and combined with one of the five spell books—Fire Book, Ice Book, Bolt Book, Wind Book, and the Summoning Tome<ref>(2002) Konami: ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance – Instruction Booklet.'' Konami, 17.</ref>—hidden throughout the castle to create a magical attack.<ref name="RPGamer Preview">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/castlevania/wnc/wncprev.html|title=Preview: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (Game Boy Advance)|author=Henninger, Michael|publisher=RPGamer|access-date=2010-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228013345/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/castlevania/wnc/wncprev.html|archive-date=2008-12-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> Casting a spell renders the player character invincible for a moment.<ref name="IGN Guide"/>

Defeating minor enemies and bosses will procure experience points for Juste, and he will level up, in traditional [[RPG]] fashion, when the statistical requirements are met.

Occasionally, Juste will kill an enemy, and they will produce a set of armor for Juste's chest, arms, legs, or face. Equipment can also be found scattered about in corners of the castle. These items will contribute to the main character's stats, such as his attack power, and magic power.

''Harmony of Dissonance'' makes use of [[role-playing video game|role-playing]] elements.<ref name="IGA interview"/> Defeating minor enemies and [[Boss (gaming)|bosses]] procure experience points for Juste, who [[Experience point#Level-based progression|levels up]] when statistical requirements are met.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> Leveling up increases his statistics: [[hit point]]s, the amount of damage the character receives before dying; [[magic point]]s, which affects how often he can cast a magical attack; strength, the power of the physical attack; defense, the reduction of damage taken from an enemy; intelligence, the strength of the magical attack; and luck, which determines the rate of items dropped by enemies.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> Certain relics affect his statistics: the Fang of Vlad increases his defense points, for example.<ref name="Relics">{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_13.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812080648/http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_13.html|archive-date=2009-08-12|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/ Walkthrough|page=13|author=Kepper, Sean|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2011-06-09}}</ref> Equipment in the form of weapon modifications, armor and accessories can be found scattered about the castle and contribute to his statistics.<ref name="Preview"/> Occasionally, an enemy drops an item after being killed.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> Items can be bought with in-game money from a merchant who appears in various places throughout the castle.<ref name="IGN Guide"/>

The player will also gain the use of whip add-ons, such as the Charge Whip, which releases a blast of energy when the attack button is held down for an extended period of time, and then released.

Additional modes can be unlocked in the game. For Boss Rush Mode, the player is required to complete the game once and can fight the bosses from the game in order with the number of bosses depending on the level of difficulty selected.<ref name="IGN Guide"/> Maxim Mode requires the player to finish the game with the best ending and allows the player to take control of Maxim. Unlike Juste, Maxim cannot equip items and can only use his sword and giant shuriken (sub-weapon) as weapons. Maxim has the ability to triple jump and cast certain spells by inputting certain button combinations.<ref name="IGN Guide">{{cite web|url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225044824/http://guides.ign.com/guides/477811/page_2.html|archive-date=2012-02-25|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/ Walkthrough|page=2|author=Kepper, Sean|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2010-02-23}}</ref> Finishing with the best ending also unlocks an option to listen to the music of the game.<ref name="IGN Guide"/>

Juste primarily attacks at close quarters using the series' traditional whip weapon, the [[Vampire Killer]], which can be brandished to deflect projectile attacks, reminiscent of Simon Belmont's usage of the weapon in the Super Nintendo game, "[[Super Castlevania 4]]."

A variety of ranged sub-weapons are available, one of which can be carried at any given time. Using a sub-weapon drains the player's supply of "Hearts", available by smashing lamps and candlabras found in the castle. Once no hearts are left, the sub-weapon may no longer be used.

==Plot==

''[[HoD]]'' distinguishes its gameplay from that of its predecessors through a new magic system, which is displayed very similarly in the 2003 release of the [[Playstation 2]] game, "[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]." Various spell books are hidden throughout the castle, and combining any of these with any of the sub-weapons will provide the player with a new magic attack far more potent than the sub-weapon itself. This drains a separate stock of Magic Points (MP).

===Setting and characters===

Unique to "[[Harmony]]," also, is the addition of the dash move. By pressing either of the shoulder buttons on the [[Game Boy Advance]], Juste will either dash forward or backward with a short burst of speed. The move is mostly intended for the player to use when encountering enemies who employ speedy attacks.

''Harmony of Dissonance'' takes place in 1748, fifty years after [[List of Castlevania characters#Simon Belmont|Simon Belmont]] ended Dracula's curse. A result of his battle against Dracula was that the villagers changed their opinion of him and the Belmont family.<ref name="IGA interview"/> Producer [[Koji Igarashi]] explained: "Simon was regarded as a life-saver, and people started to look upon him as a hero; little by little, the people started to gather around them. A village, therefore, was formed around Belmonts. Juste Belmont grew up in this environment with his childhood friends Maxim Kischine and Lydie Erlanger."<ref name="IGA interview">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402012951/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052|archive-date=2009-04-02 |title=Konami's vampire Harmony |access-date=2010-09-08|date=2002-07-18 |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |author=Minkley, Johnny}}</ref>

The protagonist and primary player character is [[List of Castlevania characters#Juste Belmont|Juste Belmont]], the grandson of Simon Belmont and descendant of [[List of Castlevania characters#Trevor Belmont|Trevor Belmont]] and [[List of Castlevania characters#Sypha Belnades|Sypha Belnades]],<ref name="RPGamer Preview"/> who at the age of sixteen, gained the Vampire Killer whip.<ref>(2002) Konami: ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance – Instruction Booklet.'' Konami, 22.</ref> Together with his [[amnesia]]c and injured best friend [[List of Castlevania characters#Maxim Kischine|Maxim Kischine]], he sets off to rescue his kidnapped childhood friend, [[List of Castlevania characters#Lydie Erlanger|Lydie Erlanger]]. While exploring the castle, he encounters a merchant who stumbled upon the castle and Death, Dracula's servant.

Juste will also, like "[[Symphony of the Night]]," gain certain Relics through exploration of the Castle's areas, which will help them to reach previously inaccessible areas, and also gain new moves to add to their repertoire; an example of these is the [[Slyph]]'s Wing, which allows Juste to utilize the super-jump that [[Alucard]] used in "[[Symphony of the Night]]," thus allowing the player to scale high cliffs and ledges.

==Graphics=Story===

Juste meets Maxim at a castle where Lydie is being held captive; after a brief talk, he leaves Maxim outside and begins to explore the castle. Within the castle, Juste encounters Death, who confirms that the castle is Dracula's. He meets up with a dazed Maxim, whose memory is slowly returning to him, and they split up to cover more ground. While trekking through the castle, Juste notices that the castle sometimes has different atmospheres. He continues to encounter Maxim, but is baffled by how his friend seems to change [[Personality type|personalities]] periodically. In one of their meetings, Maxim reveals that he went on a journey to find and destroy the remains of Dracula, something Simon Belmont had previously done, but when he collected all six, his memory went blank.

Juste encounters Death again, who explains that the castle has been split in two "layers" to accommodate the two spirits living in Maxim's body: his original spirit and an evil one created from Dracula's remains and his suppressed jealousy of Juste. Maxim later confirms this and admits to being Lydie's kidnapper. Juste meets his friend again in the other layer of the castle where he reveals that he lost his memory to protect Lydie. He gives Juste his bracelet to help him locate her in the castle. However, when Juste finds her, Death kidnaps her to use her blood as a means to unite the two castles by destroying Maxim's spirit. Juste defeats Death, and proceeds to search for Maxim. Along the way, he accumulates Dracula's remains, which are scattered throughout the castle. In the center of the castle, he finds Maxim with an unconscious Lydie.

The game employs a wider range of techniques that most players noted being non-apparent in its predecessor, “[[Circle of the Moon]].” Whereas critics hammered “[[CotM]]” for being too dark to see on the screen of the handheld, “[[HoD]]” has been respected for not only presenting brighter colors and special enemy attacks, but also for its wider variety in architecture, and greater distinction in between areas.

There are three endings to the game. In the first, Maxim, possessed, has already bitten Lydie. With Maxim's defeat, Juste escapes the collapsing castle alone and curses his inability to save either friend. In the second, Maxim struggles against the possession and urges Juste to kill him. In his final moments, he thanks Juste for killing him and reveals that he had wished to save him from his fate as a Belmont. Outside the castle, Lydie awakens, unharmed, and tells Juste not to blame himself for Maxim's death. The third ending begins the same as the first, except that, during the fight, Maxim notices that Juste wore his bracelet and resists the possession. Dracula flees into a weakened form using the gathered remains and fights Juste, planning to use his blood to return himself to full power. Vanquishing him, Juste escapes the castle together with Maxim and Lydie, whose bite marks disappear by the time she regains consciousness. Outside the castle, the three resolve to return home.

“[[HoD]]” also ups the ante by employing effects such as multi-jointed creatures and rotating sprites. The animations of all characters have been changed to include more frames of animation.

==Development==

The castle areas also house more effects and oddities in the backgrounds; arcane details, such as a skeleton trapped in a wall in the Chapel area, or strange paintings in the Clock Tower, contribute to a more horror-based game, a departure from the majestic feel of previous efforts. Multi-scrolling makes more of an appearance, and occurrences like lightning and luminescence also appear occasionally.

Produced by Koji Igarashi and developed by [[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]], ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'' is the second installment of Konami's ''[[Castlevania]]'' video game series for the [[Game Boy Advance]] (GBA).<ref name="Retrospective">{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/756/756729p6.html|title=IGN: Castlevania: The Retrospective – Page 7|website=[[IGN]]|author=Bozon, Mark|date=2007-01-18|access-date=2010-02-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207165139/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/756/756729p6.html|archive-date=2008-12-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its predecessor ''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon]]'' had been developed by a different studio, [[Konami#Former subsidiaries|Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe]].<ref name="interview"/> Igarashi began the game's development with the intention of making an installment of the series for GBA that shared similarities with ''Symphony of the Night'' (1997).<ref name="interview"/> [[Ayami Kojima]], who had previously worked on the character designs for ''Symphony of the Night'', designed the characters of ''Harmony of Dissonance''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/756/756726p9.html |title=IGN: Castlevania: The Retrospective |website=[[IGN]] |author=Bozon, Mark |date=2007-01-18 |access-date=2007-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102135836/http://ds.ign.com/articles/756/756726p9.html |archive-date=2007-11-02 }}</ref>

''Harmony of Dissonance'' incorporates other changes: a fusion-spell system replaced the dual-card system introduced in ''Circle of the Moon'', and the graphics were brightened and controls improved.<ref name="interview"/> In production at the same time was ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]'' (2003), and as a result, the two share similar programming engines and gameplay elements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/382/382951p1.html|title=IGN: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow|author=IGN Staff|website=[[IGN]]|date=2003-01-16|access-date=2010-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516055215/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/382/382951p1.html|archive-date=2011-05-16|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite all of this, “[[HoD]]”’s graphics still have been criticized by some playerers for employing too much gray and red colors in the areas, and also for the main characters' sprites generally being unrefined (rumors have circulated claiming this could be due to the game being resized, after possibly being developed for a home console originally).

==Level Design=Audio===

On June 26, 2002, Konami published ''Castlevania: Circle of the Moon & Castlevania: Concerto of Midnight Sun Original Soundtrack'' (KMCA-162).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dracula-gba/index.html|title=RPGFan Soundtrack Reviews – Dracula – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon/Concerto of Midnight Sun OST|author=Kalabakov, Daniel|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=2011-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015231318/http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/dracula-gba/index.html|archive-date=2011-10-15|url-status=live}}</ref> Soshiro Hokkai composed the soundtrack for ''Harmony of Dissonance'' with [[Michiru Yamane]] creating the additional stage music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniaharmonyofd/tech_info.html?tag=tabs%3Bsummary|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance for Game Boy Advance|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=2010-07-06|archive-date=2012-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107051554/http://www.gamespot.com/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/techinfo/platform/gba/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Igarashi later noted that the quality of the music had been "sacrifice[d]" for the graphics of the game.<ref name="interview">{{cite web|author=GameSpot staff|date=2002-09-19|title=TGS 2002: Castlevania Q&A|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2002-castlevania-qanda/1100-2880807/|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=2018-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171429/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2002-castlevania-qanda/1100-2880807/|archive-date=2018-04-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Release ==

Whereas “[[CotM]]” was infamous for bringing back the hair-pulling difficulty of the old games’ platforming, and generally being much more demanding in its structure, its GBA descendant decides to take a more laid back approach.

Originally slated for a mid-June release,<ref name="Preview" /> ''Harmony of Dissonance'' was not released until September 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2869144.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance delayed|author=Gamespot staff|date=2002-06-04|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=2010-07-05}}</ref> It was released in Japan on June 6, 2002, in North America on September 17, 2002, and in Europe on October 11, 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-10-01 |title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance video game |url=http://pocket.ign.com/objects/477/477811.html |access-date=2023-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021001164336/http://pocket.ign.com/objects/477/477811.html |archive-date=2002-10-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-10-11 |title=What's New? |language=en |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46810 |access-date=2023-11-23}}</ref> In the United States, about 126,000 units of ''Harmony of Dissonance'' were sold,<ref name="sales" /> and in Japan, it was not considered a "huge hit" by Igarashi.<ref name="interview" />

''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'' was re-released in North America in January 2006, along with ''Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow'', as part of ''Castlevania Double Pack''. Both games are contained on a single GBA Game Pak. This pack appeared in Europe later that year. It was picked as the IGN Game Boy Game of the Month for January 2006.<ref>{{cite web|author=Bozon, Mark|date=2006-01-31|title=GBA Game of the Month: January 2006|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/684/684746p1.html|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2008-02-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113204400/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/684/684746p1.html|archive-date=2009-01-13|url-status=live}}</ref> It was published on the [[Wii U Virtual Console]] on October 16, 2014, in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/10/02/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance-wii-u-virtual-console/|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance lands on Wii U Virtual Console this month|author=Nunneley, Stepheny|date=2014-10-02|work=[[VG24/7]]|access-date=2014-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004051050/http://www.vg247.com/2014/10/02/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance-wii-u-virtual-console/|archive-date=2014-10-04|url-status=live}}</ref>

“[[HoD]]” presents a much more corridor-like structure, with most of the platforming occurring in the Clock Tower. This, naturally, leaves much more emphasis of the challenge on enemies.

==Reception==

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on the viewpoint, “[[HoD]]” has very little in terms of secret rooms and breakable walls, which is somewhat of an oddity, seeing how “[[CotM]]” contained so many of them.

{{Video game reviews

| GR = 84%<ref name=GameRankings>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/554981-castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/articles.html?sort=6|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Reviews and Articles for Game Boy Advance – GameRankings|publisher=[[GameRankings]]|access-date=2009-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006164032/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/554981-castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/articles.html?sort=6|archive-date=2012-10-06|url-status=live}}</ref>

| MC = 87/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/gba/castlevaniaharmony?q=harmony%20of|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (gba: 2002): Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=2009-07-12|archive-date=2010-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126083316/http://www.metacritic.com/redirectcritic?p=gba&g=castlevaniaharmony|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| EGM = 9.67/10<ref name=GameRankings/>

| Fam = 31/40<ref name="Famitsu">''ゲームボーイアドバンス – キャッスルヴァニア ~白夜の協奏曲~''. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.122. 30 June 2006.</ref>

| GI = 9.5/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine|last=Barber|first=Chett|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200210/R03.0731.1741.58967.htm?CS_pid=160213|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108015526/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200210/R03.0731.1741.58967.htm?CS_pid=160213|archive-date=2006-01-08|title=A Portable Symphony of the Night|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-12}}</ref>

| GamePro = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=Pro>{{cite magazine|last=Fox|first=Fennec|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/26236/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/|title=Review : Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (Game Boy Advance)|magazine=[[GamePro]]|date=2002-09-17|access-date=2009-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607142217/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/26236/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/|archive-date=2011-06-07}}</ref>

| GSpot = 8.2/10<ref name=Spot>{{cite web|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniaharmonyofd/review.html|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Review for Game Boy Advance|website=[[GameSpot]]|pages=1–2|date=2002-09-18|access-date=2009-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811013212/http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniaharmonyofd/review.html|archive-date=2009-08-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

| GSpy = 87/100<ref name=Spy>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Benjamin|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september02/castlevaniahodgba/|title=GameSpy.com – Review|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|date=2002-09-18|access-date=2009-07-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909232630/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/september02/castlevaniahodgba/|archive-date=2009-09-09}}</ref>

| IGN = 9.2/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Craig|author-link=Craig Harris (journalist)|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/371/371225p1.html|title=IGN: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=2002-09-16|access-date=2009-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330001658/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/371/371225p1.html|archive-date=2009-03-30|url-status=live}}</ref>

| NP = 4.2/5<ref name=GameRankings/>

| Play = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=GameRankings/>

<!-- Awards -->

| award1Pub = [[IGN]]

| award1 = Editors' Choice Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameboy.ign.com/index/choice.html|title=IGN Game Boy: Games, Cheats, News, Reviews, and Previews|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2009-07-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409215850/http://gameboy.ign.com/index/choice.html|archive-date=2008-04-09}}</ref>

}}

[[Metacritic]] assigned it a score of 87 of 100<ref name=MC/> while [[GameRankings]] gave it an 84%.<ref name=GameRankings/>

The game also uses a phenomenon, as later explained by Death, to increase the game-time. “[[HoD]]” presents the idea of the Castle having two spirits; one Chaotic and spiritual, and one that is Earthly and natural.

Juste can only access all areas of the Castle by traversing through multi-dimensional portals to enter the Chaotic Castle’s realm, and open up previously inaccessible places in the Earthly realm in that dimension.

Japanese gaming magazine ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the game a 31 out of 40.<ref name="Famitsu"/> At the time of its release, ''Harmony of Dissonance'' received positive reviews from English-language critics. ''[[GameSpot]]'' commended it as "not just a fine Castlevania game—it's also one of the better Game Boy Advance games to come around in a while".<ref name="Spot" /> ''[[GameSpy]]'' stated: "Despite its unevenness, ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'' is a quality adventure that represents the best attempt yet made at miniaturizing the brilliance of ''Symphony of the Night''."<ref name="Spy" /> While worrying about the loss of originality of the franchise and noting that "''Harmony of Dissonance'' almost obsessively copies ''Symphony of the Night''", ''[[GamePro]]'' called it "a fun action game and a fine Castlevania game in its own right."<ref name="Pro" /> The improved graphics of ''Harmony of Dissonance'', especially the backgrounds, 3D effects, and multi-jointed bosses, received praise from reviewers, who called them "plentiful and visually stunning",<ref name="Spot" /> and "top-notch".<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Pro" /> It was a runner-up for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s 2002 "Best Graphics on Game Boy Advance" award.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=''GameSpot'' Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead }}</ref> During the [[6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Harmony of Dissonance'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year|Handheld Game of the Year]]", which was ultimately awarded to ''[[Metroid Fusion]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGameAwardType=67 |title=2003 Awards Category Details Handheld Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>

Most reviewers and players criticized the way this was handled, and claimed it to be needlessly convoluted.

The soundtrack of the game was less well received. Critics panned the music as "easily the worst ''Castlevania'' soundtrack"<ref name=Spy/> and "muddy, plodding, and reminiscent of the days of four-channel NES soundtracks".<ref name=Pro/> Conversely, ''GameSpot'' found that the music was "decent" and occasionally "fitting or even catchy", but failed to live up to the high expectations of the series.<ref name=Spot/> The publication later nominated the game for its annual "Most Disappointing Game on Game Boy Advance" award, citing the music.<ref name=bestworst2002 /> ''[[IGN]]'' felt that while not "quite as bad as importers have made it out to be", the songs "aren't nearly as nice as they have been in past ''Castlevania'' adventures."<ref name=IGN/> Reviewers also disliked the lack of difficulty with ''GamePro'' describing it as the game's "biggest flaw".<ref name=Pro/><ref name=Spy/> Other criticism included predictable and easy boss battles,<ref name=Spot/> and "a much smaller explorable area and somewhat less compelling map design".<ref name=Spy/>

==Castle Areas==

Retrospectively, however, websites and fans have been more critical of the game.<ref name="PALGN">{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/3703/franchise-mode-11-castlevania-part-2/|title=Franchise Mode #11 – Castlevania|author=Low, David|date=2006-01-16|website=PALGN|access-date=2011-06-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008173757/http://palgn.com.au/3703/franchise-mode-11-castlevania-part-2/|archive-date=2012-10-08}}</ref> ''PALGN''{{'}}s David Low criticized the inclusion of the "possessed ally" element from previous ''Castlevania'' titles along with the game's easier gameplay, the player character's badly animated [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]], and the occasionally gaudy environments.<ref name="PALGN"/> Looking back on the series, Mark Bozon of ''IGN'' concluded: "Still ''Harmony of Dissonance'' shows off some decent visuals as an in-between, mid-generation game, and paved the way for GBA's strongest ''Castlevania'' title, ''Aria of Sorrow''."<ref name="Retrospective"/> ''Game Informer''{{'}}s Tim Turi meanwhile felt that its design was among ''Castlevania''{{'}}s best despite having among the worst music in the series.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Ranking The Castlevania Bloodline |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/04/04/ranking-the-castlevania-bloodline.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Turi |first=Tim |date=2012-04-04 |access-date=2013-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507064948/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/04/04/ranking-the-castlevania-bloodline.aspx |archive-date=2013-05-07 |url-status=live }}</ref>

“[[Harmony of Dissonance]]” hearkens back to “[[SotN]]” in its castle areas, and this is probably due to the same team being present in this creation.

{{Clear}}

Influences from its Playstation ancestor are very evident in places like the Chapel of Dissonance, with its blazing clouds in the sky, utilizing the scrolling effect similar to “[[SotN]]”’s Royal Chapel’s sky background. There is also similar architecture in places like the Marble Corridor and Wailing Way.

==Notes==

“[[HoD]]” also houses a cavernous, underground labyrinth, continuing the tradition of a subterranean area in the games, and even a graveyard, which some have called a direct homage to “[[Castlevania 3]].”

{{Notelist}}

==References==

The Castle’s environments will also transform to signify which dimension of the castle Juste is in. Most often, the Chaotic realm will display much more grays and reds, broken architecture, and also transition more incongruously from one room to the next.

{{Reflist|30em}}

==EnemiesExternal links==

*{{Official website|http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/CV01/contents.html}} {{in lang|ja}}

Like “[[SotN]],” the game draws heavily from previous games for its enemy selection. Nearly sixty of the castle’s inhabitants have been drawn from “[[SotN]],” and, consequently, the Japanese-only “[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]].”

Due to the game being created on a system with much less of a capacity to handle the myriads of details seen in “[[SotN]],” "[[HoD]]"’s reuse of the characters is noticeably different. Resolutions have been downgraded to fit the requirements of the game’s space, and some enemies have lost the use of some of their previous repertoire of attacks.

Some have not been so much drawn blatantly from prior creations, as have been upgraded. “[[Castlevania 3]]”’s Owls make a return in a much more impressive fashion, coincidentally, only inhabiting the game’s graveyard.

“[[HoD]]”s new enemies are possibly the oddest denizens yet seen in a Castlevania game, and contribute further to the horrific influences of the game. Their designs have been described as occult and indefinable at times.

The legion of bosses is also drawn from previous games in most cases. “[[SotN]]”’s [[Legion]]/[[Granfalloon]] beast makes a return, though in a less gigantic fashion, as does “[[Castlevania 3]]”s Skull Knight. The multi-form boss, Shadow, could even be described as being similar to “[[The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening]]”’s final boss in its concept.

Despite the reuse of ideas, “[[HoD]]”’s bosses have been praised highly for allegedly displaying some of the best character graphics for the handheld.

==Music==

Certainly, “[[HoD]]”’s most heavily disputed area.

Most of the general outcry against the music in the game is due to the game using a sound quality reminiscent of video games being produced nearly two decades ago, and, thus, ends up sounding very similar to [[Game Boy]] or [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] video games.

The second component of this controversy is the actual melodic compositions songs themselves. “[[HoD]]”’s composer, "[[Soshiro Hokkai]]," also known as "[[Mana]]" (a member of the generally well-known Japanese band, [[Malice Mizer]]), wrote the melodies for the game, and, seeing how the music for the band he belongs to is quite unconventional and gloomy in their songs, the music ends up being almost depressing at points. The way the instruments are utilized also has provided some source of discomfort for people; the songs are quite heavily layered with multiple melodies, and the melodic over-lappings and complex syncopation throughout give the element of clashing.

Despite the general dislike for the music, players who grew up with the older systems have been known to readily defend the songs, and also to proclaim the soundtrack to contain some of the best the series has yet had, such as Juste’s theme, “Successor of Fate,” and the Chapel’s theme, “Chapel of Dissonance.”

==Alternative Endings==

Like some video games, “[[HoD]]” has multiple possible endings, depending on various conditions met by the player:

*''Defeat Maxim in Castle A'' - Juste doesn't fight Dracula and Maxim doesn't escape the castle.

*''Defeat Maxim in Castle B'' - Juste doesn't fight Dracula and neither Lydie nor Maxim escapes.

*''Defeat Maxim and Dracula in Castle B with MK's and JB's Bracelets equipped'' - Juste fights Dracula, all three escape the castle.

==Other Modes==

===Maxim Mode===

After beating the game once, the player can enter his name as "MAXIM" in order to play as Maxim in the main game. This mode includes none of the story elements of the main game.

===Boss Rush Mode===

After beating the game once, the player may play in the Boss Rush Mode. This option allows the player to face the game's bosses in a time trial.

To play as Maxim in the time trial, hold the L and R buttons as you select the difficulty. To play as an [[Simon Belmont]] from the first ''Castlevania'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], enter the [[Konami Code]] (Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A) on the Konami logo screen.

{{Castlevania series}}

{{Authority control}}

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