Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

This is the first I've heard of it. Hideo Kojima overseeing production? Very interesting.

http://www.joystickdivision.com/2010...

I'm tempted to get at launch, but there are a lot of other games higher up on my list right now coming out this Fall.

stauf7 wrote:

I'm tempted to get at launch, but there are a lot of other games higher up on my list right now coming out this Fall.

As long as it gets semi-decent reviews I'll probably get it. I'm a sucker for the Castlevania games (except the ones on handhelds. I don't own one.)

That looks like a purchase for me.

I've got it preordered. I enjoy both the early action games and the later "Metroid style" games. After being burned by the horrible N64 3D game I skipped the PS2 3D titles, but from the previews I've read I'm cautiously optimistic about this one. While it is laid out as more of a linear action game, my understanding is that you can go back and replay levels once you have new equipment which will allow you to access previously unattainable areas and items and possibly trigger one or more additional ending.

Dr.Ghastly wrote:

As long as it gets semi-decent reviews I'll probably get it. I'm a sucker for the Castlevania games (except the ones on handhelds. I don't own one.)

I don't like playing games on handhelds, but picked up the add-on for the Gamecube to play the 3 GBA castlevania games on my TV and really liked them. I would love it if all 6 of the handheld games were somehow rereleased on either PSN or XBLA. I was really disappointed that the recent XBLA release turned out to be a multiplayer grindfest instead of a more traditional 2D castlevania.

I wouldn't read much into this being "a Kojima production." The game was pretty much what it is before it bore his name, or even the Castlevania name if what I've heard is true.

That said, it looks promising enough. If you order from Amazon before or near release you get a $20 game credit, so that's always nice.

Jasonofindy wrote:

While it is laid out as more of a linear action game, my understanding is that you can go back and replay levels once you have new equipment which will allow you to access previously unattainable areas and items and possibly trigger one or more additional ending.

This is the first I've heard of this. The last I'd seen, the game was a pretty straight-forward linear action game with some levels that were "more open." I'm not a fan of the action-platformer Castlevania games because they're just harder than I like my games to be and because I'm really fond of the exploratory style of the games like Symphony of the Night. However, if this ends up being like Other M with fairly straight-forward linear areas that can be re-explored later, I might be interested.

At the bottom of this preview there is an interview with the game's Producer David Cox where he discusses his history with Symphony of the Night and explains how Lords of Shadow started as a castlevania project, was shifted to be a new IP because of the failures of past 3D Castlevanias, and was then shifted back after they showed off the game prototype to the suits in Japan.

Preview

NOTE: I have never previously heard of that site, but found it when researching this title before preordering so I don't know anything about their reliability.

As far as Kojima's involvement, I agree that it looks like he was just a name attached to the project to try to boost sales. For me, I'm glad he wasn't originally behind the project as then we'd get a game with poor action and half hour long chunks of poorly written cutscenes. I liked the original Metal Gear on the NES and Metal Gear solid 1, but by Metal Gear Solid 2 the games began deteriorating. You could tell he had reached a level of success that people stopped telling him no and editing his work.

EDIT:
@ClockworkHouse That was my initial impression as well. I also enjoy the more exploration based castlevania's and was probably going to pass. Then I read several previews from guys that played it at the 6 hour hands on Konami event in London. My current understanding is that the game is set up where you can either play straight through for the more casual God of War like experience and just get the basic story or you can dig deeper and replay levels for more of the exploration experience.

I specifically remember reading about being given a completion percentage for each level, being able to go back and replay past levels, and there being items/locations in levels that you won't be able to reach unless you come back later. I'm sifting through my browser history trying to find the previewer that talked about this stuff in more depth. I really hope he is not overplaying this factor as if this is nothing more than a God of War clone then I would rather just rent it, and I'll likely be disappointed with my purchase.

I've been watching this one for a while now... It's on my radar, but I'm thinking rental before purchase.

Man, the new trailer was so Kojima-esque. Seriously, go watch any Metal Gear Solid trailer and then watch this. They really want to bank on Kojima's name.

Jasonofindy wrote:

As far as Kojima's involvement, I agree that it looks like he was just a name attached to the project to try to boost sales. For me, I'm glad he wasn't originally behind the project as then we'd get a game with poor action and half hour long chunks of poorly written cutscenes. I liked the original Metal Gear on the NES and Metal Gear solid 1, but by Metal Gear Solid 2 the games began deteriorating. You could tell he had reached a level of success that people stopped telling him no and editing his work.

These sound like the words of someone who has never played Metal Gear Solid 3.

I've been following this one, I am cautiously optimistic.

I only heard about this game two weeks ago. The track record for 3D Castlevania games isn't so good and if they manage to make it work at all, I'll be surprised. That was a really nice trailer so I'll have my fingers crossed for the gameplay.

I actually think it's looking pretty good from the bits I've seen. I'm hopeful for this one.

This trailer in particular was what got me interested.

Also, watching this gameplay video gives you a good idea of what I am expecting.

mrtomaytohead wrote:

Also, watching this gameplay video gives you a good idea of what I am expecting.

Hmm. I'm gonna sound like a contrarian, but that kinda killed my interest. The exploration reminds me of Prince of Persia, which I don't like at all. The combat is like God of War, and I'm way more into the frenetic Japanese style of character action: DMC, Bayonetta, etc.

Think I'll just grab this from the Redbox for a couple days instead of getting that sweet $20 credit on Amazon. Maybe it'll grab me then.

Any European PS3 users lurking around here that have gotten a chance to try their timed exclusive demo? As a newer user at GWJ, I'm uncertain as to the size of the European contingent at the site. I had hoped the demo would be available to U.S. users so I could try it out, but it wasn't in this week's US update.

Thanks to mrtomaytohead for the video link. I like what I am seeing of the combat in the above posted video, and unlike Blind_Evil I'm relieved that it is not like DMC or Bayonetta as I really don't care for that style of action game. (though I can see why others do) However, I really hope that the small room holding the power-up behind the barred gate at 5:45 isn't representative of the extent of the type of areas that I had read about where you can come back and explore in order to achieve 100%. If so, that would be disappointing as it doesn't really seem much like exploration to me. So far the platforming/traversal stuff looks okay but not great.

I'm quite interested to see what kind of abilities are unlocked in the "relic powers" section of the inventory book that I glimpsed in the video. I think that whether or not they are simply additional combat powers would go a long way towards shedding light on exactly how much of an adventure/exploration element this game actually has.

Jasonofindy wrote:

Thanks to mrtomaytohead for the video link. I like what I am seeing of the combat in the above posted video, and unlike Blind_Evil I'm relieved that it is not like DMC or Bayonetta as I really don't care for that style of action game. (though I can see why others do) However, I really hope that the small room holding the power-up behind the barred gate at 5:45 isn't representative of the extent of the type of areas that I had read about where you can come back and explore in order to achieve 100%. If so, that would be disappointing as it doesn't really seem much like exploration to me. So far the platforming/traversal stuff looks okay but not great.

Yeah, after playing DMC and God of War 1 & 2, I have no desire to return to Devil May Cry, even though most of my problem with the game is getting messed up / lost due to the camera and its transitions.

I like what I'm seeing. I enjoy all styles of action games - DMC/Bayonetta/Ninja Gaiden for the thrill of pulling off awesome combos while dodging in the midst of dozens of enemies, and God of War for the cool powers and more methodical combat (I try to see if I can win each battle taking 0 hits). Combine this with the awesome cinematic trailer from before (I love Kojima cutscenes, because they're over the top and sometimes heavy in the exposition) and I think we have a winner here for me. I hope it doesn't follow in the footsteps of past 3D Castlevania games.

It might be because I'm playing Bayonetta right now, but the combat just looked really slow and simple. The platforming also looked slow and simple. At least one of those two things needs to be a bit more engaging to catch my eye.

I'm assuming there's a reason why the blonde woman's lips weren't moving when she spoke. Is she from Titan, like Saturn Girl?

OMG! What if it is Saturn Girl?

That Kojima! Reading the Levitz Legion!

The last Castlevania game I really played was Lament of Innocence. Very disappointing, but I still played because its Castlevania. This one, at least, looks like it might be interesting from a story standpoint.

It's just around the corner! That's a nice surprise.

Possible demo release for North America this week? It's evidently out for Europe's PSN Plus subscribers.

http://www.gametrailers.com/news/lor...

Tyrian wrote:

Possible demo release for North America this week? It's evidently out for Europe's PSN Plus subscribers.

http://www.gametrailers.com/news/lor...

I can wait a week since I have it pre-ordered, day-of on Amazon.

The initial reviews of this are quite positive. I'm still keeping my expectations in check, but definitely excited.

Dyni wrote:

The initial reviews of this are quite positive. I'm still keeping my expectations in check, but definitely excited.

4/5 aint half bad

http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/62175/Castlevania-Lords-of-Shadow/review/

Methinks I will send my copy of Quantum Theory right back to Gamefly tomorrow in hopes I get sent this next week.

The GameTrailers 7.9 review is less positive. Combat's great, story/cutscenes/voiceovers are great, everything else is mediocre at best.

Oh - and lots of puzzles. Wheeeeee.

KillerTomato wrote:

The GameTrailers 7.9 review is less positive.

Sold.

Nei wrote:
KillerTomato wrote:

The GameTrailers 7.9 review is less positive.

Sold.

No kidding. GT's video has renewed my faith in this game. Great combat, great story, great cutscenes and great voiceovers? That doesn't happen very often. Perhaps I'll pick it up after all.

By the way, am I the only one that laughed every time he missed a jump? The first thought that came to my head was this:

I really hope this jingle is in the game. It makes each death almost worth it.

Mystic Violet wrote:
Nei wrote:
KillerTomato wrote:

The GameTrailers 7.9 review is less positive.

Sold.

No kidding. GT's video has renewed my faith in this game. Great combat, great story, great cutscenes and great voiceovers? That doesn't happen very often. Perhaps I'll pick it up after all.

I thought I was the only one that the GT review made me think much better of it than the score would lead me to believe.

mrtomaytohead wrote:
Mystic Violet wrote:
Nei wrote:
KillerTomato wrote:

The GameTrailers 7.9 review is less positive.

Sold.

No kidding. GT's video has renewed my faith in this game. Great combat, great story, great cutscenes and great voiceovers? That doesn't happen very often. Perhaps I'll pick it up after all.

I thought I was the only one that the GT review made me think much better of it than the score would lead me to believe.

Ok, maybe I could stand to be hyped. Any spoilers in the voice-over?

cyrax wrote:

Ok, maybe I could stand to be hyped. Any spoilers in the voice-over?

Nope. This review is a good breakdown of the game without revealing anything important. It's mostly combat, environments and a few bosses in mid fight.