Okay, so Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (seriously, who came up with that subtitle?) is one of those GBA gems that somehow feels both classic and a little weird. You’re Juste Belmont—grandson of the OG Simon—wandering through a castle that’s basically a gothic labyrinth of spikes, skeletons, and chandeliers that absolutely should not support your weight.

The whip feels great, but here’s the thing: the magic system’s kinda wild. You collect spellbooks and combine them with sub-weapons, which means you’ll spend half the game experimenting with nonsense like “what if I throw an axe… but also set it on fire?” Spoiler: it rules. Also, the music’s got this eerie, synth-heavy vibe—some tracks sound like they’re coming from a haunted Game Boy, which honestly fits.

It’s not the hardest Castlevania, but the castle’s layout will mess with you (why are there so many warp rooms?). If you’re into exploring every creepy corridor just to find a pair of boots that let you slide-kick zombies, this one’s a blast. Just don’t expect Symphony of the Night—it’s its own weird, janky, charming thing.