|
|
|
CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW (X360)
|
Publisher: Konami.
Developer: MercurySteam; Kojima Productions. Released: October 2010. Genre: Action/Adventure. Other versions: PS3; PC. Posted 17th April 2021. By Shane Battams © 2021 |
|
Tasked with the unenviable job of rebooting the legendary Castlevania series, MercurySteam, with Hideo Kojima serving as producer, would look to other games of the time to help shape this new beginning. Inevitably, moving away from the much-loved, Metroidvania structure of its predecessors wasn’t going to please everyone. Others, however, praised it as a fresh start, likening it to the dramatic evolution the series underwent during the late nineties. Taken on its own merits, Lords of Shadow is a highly engrossing adventure with strong combat, an engaging narrative and a broad range of styles. Not all of it is a success, but most of it is enjoyable.
Gabriel Belmont is a member of a group of knights sent to protect civilians from supernatural monsters, known as the Brotherhood of Light. After his wife is killed, and trapped in limbo due to disturbances within the world, Gabriel is sent across the land to procure upgrades to enable his progression, and face the Lords of Shadows in order to help restore balance. Anchored by excellent performances from Robert Carlyle and Patrick Stewart, you can tell Kojima advised on the direction of the story, with beautifully directed sequences and some neat twists, especially the ending and stinger for the second game. It also has little to do with previous games’ narratives, proving a good starting point for newcomers.
Lords of Shadow encompasses a range of styles and genres. Purists may balk, but it's a thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
Spread across twelve chapters and two discs, Lords of Shadow eschews the open design of Symphony of the Night in favour of a world map, level structure and less backtracking. But there is a focus on collecting power-ups, as you expand Gabriel’s repertoire. This ranges from platforming items such as a hook, to combat elements such as the Dark Gauntlet which lets you smash through weaker walls. This, in a roundabout way, encourages level replays, as previously inaccessible collectibles can be earned with a revisit. Along with health and magic upgrades, and Trials which are available after completing each level once, and with the lengthy number of chapters, it can last upwards of twenty hours despite a more straightforward approach, as you vie for the coveted 110% completion.
Lords of Shadow encompasses a huge number of gameplay elements. The primary function is combat, which an initial glance will lead you to assume MercurySteam were playing too much God of War. However, some cool tweaks do add flair to proceedings. Gabriel can soon utilise Light and Dark magic, which each add their own buff. Light heals Gabriel with each strike, while Dark increases damage given. A bevvy of combos can be bought via XP earned, and with a vast array of enemies requiring different strategies, including enemies who utilise each magic as a defence, and it keeps things interesting. You can also acquire special items to assist you, including holy water, distraction fairies and a dark crystal, which is like a screen-clearer from a shmup. There’s a heavy reliance on parrying which, when done successfully, fills a focus meter. At full, each strike then rewards orbs which refill magic, dictated by pressing down an analogue stick. There’s a lot more going on under the hood here, for those willing to experiment.
Lords of Shadow encompasses a huge number of gameplay elements. The primary function is combat, which an initial glance will lead you to assume MercurySteam were playing too much God of War. However, some cool tweaks do add flair to proceedings. Gabriel can soon utilise Light and Dark magic, which each add their own buff. Light heals Gabriel with each strike, while Dark increases damage given. A bevvy of combos can be bought via XP earned, and with a vast array of enemies requiring different strategies, including enemies who utilise each magic as a defence, and it keeps things interesting. You can also acquire special items to assist you, including holy water, distraction fairies and a dark crystal, which is like a screen-clearer from a shmup. There’s a heavy reliance on parrying which, when done successfully, fills a focus meter. At full, each strike then rewards orbs which refill magic, dictated by pressing down an analogue stick. There’s a lot more going on under the hood here, for those willing to experiment.
|
|
Platforming is a bit more basic, seeing Gabriel able to clamber along ledges, swing on hooks and wall jump. When it works, it can be fluid and fun to partake in, and for the most part, platforming is pretty decent. There are a couple of issues which sour it however. The static, far camera angles are great at showcasing the scenery, but prove perhaps too distant to aid jump accuracy, sometimes leading to a cheap fall. This is okay for the most part, as falling down most pits will just lead to a chunk of health being taken off rather than death. The only downside is that it can leave Gabriel with minimal health before a combat encounter, and while careful magic use can help regenerate it, some enemies are more difficult than others. But for the most part, it breaks up the action quite nicely and allows for some beautiful, quiet moments.
One of this Castlevania’s greatest strengths (and also a source of flaws) is its sheer variety. Along with more traditional segments seeing you jump and smash through enemies, there’s a ludicrous amount of one-off stage types which range from engrossing to flawed, often focusing on a puzzle. One highlight is later in the game, where you explore a creepy field while spooking crows towards scarecrows, whom you fight when re-animated. Mechanically effective and creepily atmospheric, it works really well. On the other hand, you have some parts which don’t work as well, such as an unwieldy mirror puzzle set in a library and replete with highly shielded knights. But the good usually outweighs the bad, whether it’s a cool trek through a hazard-filled music box, taming monsters and riding them to solve puzzles and perhaps the best parts: the epic boss fights, which require strategy and skill to beat, though some may sour on the reliance of QTEs at certain points.
One of this Castlevania’s greatest strengths (and also a source of flaws) is its sheer variety. Along with more traditional segments seeing you jump and smash through enemies, there’s a ludicrous amount of one-off stage types which range from engrossing to flawed, often focusing on a puzzle. One highlight is later in the game, where you explore a creepy field while spooking crows towards scarecrows, whom you fight when re-animated. Mechanically effective and creepily atmospheric, it works really well. On the other hand, you have some parts which don’t work as well, such as an unwieldy mirror puzzle set in a library and replete with highly shielded knights. But the good usually outweighs the bad, whether it’s a cool trek through a hazard-filled music box, taming monsters and riding them to solve puzzles and perhaps the best parts: the epic boss fights, which require strategy and skill to beat, though some may sour on the reliance of QTEs at certain points.
|
|
Lords of Shadow would also boast one of the best presentations of the generation. Using a proprietary engine from the developer, it boasts a beautiful range of colours, gorgeously crafted backgrounds that are spacious and fluid animations, especially during cut-scenes. The range of monster designs, from grotesque werewolves to untamed vampires, as well as gargantuan bosses such as the Ice Titan, are a highlight. The sound is excellent too, with the aforementioned voice actors giving excellent performances, solid writing bar some erroneous translations and fantastic music which utilises some epic orchestral tracks. The only bummer is a lack of motifs and sounds from the iconic series, which could be to emphasise the reboot nature of this one, but still is a shame.
But in the end, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is easily the best of the series’ 3D entries and a fantastic reboot in its own right. While the variety of mechanics sometimes miss the mark and it can perhaps seem a little derivative in spots, these issues feel minor in the scheme of things. Visceral combat, a bevvy of standout moments and an engrossing story will keep players hooked. Purists may still be unable to look past the overhauls and the lack of connection to previous games, but most will find Lords of Shadow a highly respectable adventure.
But in the end, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is easily the best of the series’ 3D entries and a fantastic reboot in its own right. While the variety of mechanics sometimes miss the mark and it can perhaps seem a little derivative in spots, these issues feel minor in the scheme of things. Visceral combat, a bevvy of standout moments and an engrossing story will keep players hooked. Purists may still be unable to look past the overhauls and the lack of connection to previous games, but most will find Lords of Shadow a highly respectable adventure.
|
|
VERDICT
“While perhaps derivative in spots, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow benefits from visceral combat, a bevvy of standout moments and an engrossing story. A highly respectable adventure.” OVERALL: 8/10 |
PIXEL SECONDS: CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW (PS3)
2010 would see another attempt from Konami to shake Castlevania’s 3D curse, enlisting MercurySteam and Kojima Productions to develop this seventh-generation refresh. It’s not quite the game fans might have expected, but it’s still pretty decent. Lords of Shadow is less Castlevania than it is God of War crossed with Prince of Persia, though not quite as cohesive as either. LoS looks good, particularly when it showcases its gigantic, ominous castle exteriors. Desolate, snowy villages clash effectively with the opulent, gluttonous halls of the castles that see the player braving the territory of the various, twisted antagonists. Combat proves enjoyable, with dynamic (if somewhat derivative) hack ‘n’ slash elements, reasonable control input responses and an imaginative array of beasties to battle. The grandstanding Titan bosses miss the mark, however, building up some enormous fights that, in reality, offer little more than some elaborately dressed trial-and-error ledge hopping. For all their apparent energy, these encounters feel laborious to play and lack excitement. The story, aided by the enigmatic narration of Patrick Stewart, similarly meanders along for the most part, as the adventure extends to dozens of levels. Still, Castlevania remains blessed with atmospheric music, a good dose of variety to its level design and, should you fancy replaying it, a raft of additional challenges, upgrades and difficulty settings. Not without its blemishes, but a good action/adventure. [7] – Tom Clare © 2023
2010 would see another attempt from Konami to shake Castlevania’s 3D curse, enlisting MercurySteam and Kojima Productions to develop this seventh-generation refresh. It’s not quite the game fans might have expected, but it’s still pretty decent. Lords of Shadow is less Castlevania than it is God of War crossed with Prince of Persia, though not quite as cohesive as either. LoS looks good, particularly when it showcases its gigantic, ominous castle exteriors. Desolate, snowy villages clash effectively with the opulent, gluttonous halls of the castles that see the player braving the territory of the various, twisted antagonists. Combat proves enjoyable, with dynamic (if somewhat derivative) hack ‘n’ slash elements, reasonable control input responses and an imaginative array of beasties to battle. The grandstanding Titan bosses miss the mark, however, building up some enormous fights that, in reality, offer little more than some elaborately dressed trial-and-error ledge hopping. For all their apparent energy, these encounters feel laborious to play and lack excitement. The story, aided by the enigmatic narration of Patrick Stewart, similarly meanders along for the most part, as the adventure extends to dozens of levels. Still, Castlevania remains blessed with atmospheric music, a good dose of variety to its level design and, should you fancy replaying it, a raft of additional challenges, upgrades and difficulty settings. Not without its blemishes, but a good action/adventure. [7] – Tom Clare © 2023
MORE VIDEO GAMES WITH A VAMPIRE PRESENCE REVIEWED
Super Castlevania IV (1992, Super Nintendo)
|
Vampire Rain (2007, Xbox 360)
|