Death

Death intervenes near the start and strips Alucard of his powerful opening equipment. This forces the player to rebuild through the castle’s progression systems.

• Story: The early encounter establishes both a narrative obstacle and the reason the initial loadout cannot carry the entire game. A later confrontation resolves more of that hostility.
• In the game: Plan around the equipment actually retained after the opening. The first few rooms teach a temporary power level, not a promise that those weapons remain available without exploration.

Story spoilers.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night · PlayStation · 1997 · Original PlayStation Alucard campaign; later ports and Saturn additions can differ. · Picture: Original game character artwork.