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This thread has been linked to the game 'Castlevania: Lords of Shadow'.
For anyone brought up on an 80's serenade of chiptunes and 8-bit sprites; Castlevania is a household name. It's a series which has seemingly always been there; from it's candle-whipping glory days on Nintendo's home consoles, to it's notably ill-fated ventures to the 3D world. Enter MercurySteam, the developers behind the decidedly hit-or-miss 2007 shooter, Jericho. This time, however, they had turned their eyes to Castlevania, and with the co-operation of the high profile Kojima Productions, hoped to reboot the series as a 3D entity. But is Castlevania: Lords of Shadow a worthy addition to a series so iconic of our 'golden age', or is it simply cursed to begin with?
The first thing you will notice is that this is not the Castlevania you grew to love in the 1980's. It is instead an amalgamation of modern inspiration, set to the backdrop of a highly polished and beautiful action game. The connate feeling of games such as God of War is, at least for the first few hours, very evident. That is not to say that game does not eventually reach the true heights of it's namesake, but true-blood fans may initially be left unsure. That said, it is apparent at the outset that Lords of Shadow is a eminently high quality experience, from it's sleek and satisfying combat to it's luscious (yet fixed angle) landscapes. It is here that you realise that beneath the initial familiarity comes a new and exciting Castlevania story, and you are sure to find yourself engrossed.
Our protagonist, a new Belmont by the name of Gabriel, is thrown into darkness when his beloved wife is murdered by the unholy forces of which he fights against. Gabriel, a member of the holy Brotherhood of Light, sets out alone to discover the answers, and to swear revenge on those who took his love. He soon learns about an artefact; the God Mask; said to have the power to bring the dead back to life. To obtain it however, he must find, and defeat, those who guard it's splintered pieces; the ungodly Lords of Shadow. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow tells a compelling narrative weaved on the themes of love and loss. Gabriel is resolute, he will stop at nothing; and the further he delves into the world and mythos of the Lords of Shadow, the further the lines between good and evil are blurred. Of course, it would mean nothing without good voice acting, and thankfully Lords of Shadow delivers with distinction. Gabriel is voiced by Robert Carlyle, whilst his mentor Zobek is played by Sir Patrick Stuart (who also narrates the games' main plot). As expected, such high quality voice overs add tremendously to the emotion and immersion on display in the game, and the experience benefits greatly because of it. Lords of Shadow feels like an epic quest, and whilst the narrative never intrudes on the action, it delivers a plot which does more than simply usher you along the path.
The action, of course, is outstanding. With fluid controls and a varied arsenal of weapons and magic, it is sure to never feel like a chore. Combo's can go on for dizzying lengths, rewarding you with new abilities and upgrades to help you in the often challenging encounters. There's also a tactical element; most prevalently in the form of refillable 'light' and 'shadow' magic; used to either increase damage or refill your health meter. It is a challenging thrill to swap between these contrasting abilities during combat; giving even the most hopeless situation a possibility of recovery and victory. It's very rewarding, and when coupled with the abundance of quick-time-events and button mashing finishing moves, you are left feeling satisfied and ready for more. That said, the fixed camera can occasionally hamper your progress in combat; with enemies hidden off screen launching attacks when you aren't expecting them. This however is relatively infrequent, and is unlikely to cause much more than the momentary loss of a combo.
Also of note are the plenitude of puzzles which are littered throughout the games' many environments, offering a break from the hack-n-slash action of the main event. These are of varying difficulty; from the traditional aligning of mirrors and light beams to navigating a maze of electrical currents. Solving puzzles will reward you with experience points; yet these can also be forfeited in exchange for the answer should you become too perplexed. The inclusion of puzzles in the game works well, and if nothing else offers further immersion in the dark and beautiful landscapes of your journey.
Such vista's are assorted and bountiful, and their quality is evident from the outset. Starting in ruins and folklore filled forests; and returning later to the flagship candle-lit castles of it's namesake, Lords of Shadow looks consistently wonderful. Lighting effects are stellar, highlighting crisply detailed pathways and surfaces, forging atmosphere from corners and hallways. Outdoors, trees and foliage sway realistically; tiny details are displayed in the air, and everything is bathed in an artistic mastery which makes an irresistible backdrop to explore within. At times, the camera will pan outwards, revealing extensive valleys and forests or imposing Gothic architecture. Everything looks as you would expect; a fitting display of beauty and darkness with a polished and skilful attention to detail.
Of course, it would mean little without a suitable soundtrack, and Lords of Shadow does not disappoint. As you may expect, rousing choruses of choirs and chants break out mid-combat to a heart thumping orchestra; whilst exploration is often accompanied by more gentle, subtle serenades. It all adds remarkably to the delivery of the story; the above-mentioned voice talents brought to life by emotionally charged, orchestral craftsmanship. It may be different to the traditional style of Castlevania music, but it's so well crafted and suited to the game, that you'll soon find it's just as exciting.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a triumphant re-imagining of a series which has more than beaten the test of time. It may be derivative; taking it's time to live up to it's name; but it's a great success in a genre which is now but flooded with competition. It may not be the same Castlevania that we fell in love with in the 80's, but it represents a compelling and highly produced experience which is sure to leave any fan feeling more than satisfied. With a 20 hour single player story, and an affluence of replay value to keep you coming back, Lords of Shadow is a game that is easy to recommend.
8/10
The first thing you will notice is that this is not the Castlevania you grew to love in the 1980's. It is instead an amalgamation of modern inspiration, set to the backdrop of a highly polished and beautiful action game. The connate feeling of games such as God of War is, at least for the first few hours, very evident. That is not to say that game does not eventually reach the true heights of it's namesake, but true-blood fans may initially be left unsure. That said, it is apparent at the outset that Lords of Shadow is a eminently high quality experience, from it's sleek and satisfying combat to it's luscious (yet fixed angle) landscapes. It is here that you realise that beneath the initial familiarity comes a new and exciting Castlevania story, and you are sure to find yourself engrossed.
Our protagonist, a new Belmont by the name of Gabriel, is thrown into darkness when his beloved wife is murdered by the unholy forces of which he fights against. Gabriel, a member of the holy Brotherhood of Light, sets out alone to discover the answers, and to swear revenge on those who took his love. He soon learns about an artefact; the God Mask; said to have the power to bring the dead back to life. To obtain it however, he must find, and defeat, those who guard it's splintered pieces; the ungodly Lords of Shadow. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow tells a compelling narrative weaved on the themes of love and loss. Gabriel is resolute, he will stop at nothing; and the further he delves into the world and mythos of the Lords of Shadow, the further the lines between good and evil are blurred. Of course, it would mean nothing without good voice acting, and thankfully Lords of Shadow delivers with distinction. Gabriel is voiced by Robert Carlyle, whilst his mentor Zobek is played by Sir Patrick Stuart (who also narrates the games' main plot). As expected, such high quality voice overs add tremendously to the emotion and immersion on display in the game, and the experience benefits greatly because of it. Lords of Shadow feels like an epic quest, and whilst the narrative never intrudes on the action, it delivers a plot which does more than simply usher you along the path.
The action, of course, is outstanding. With fluid controls and a varied arsenal of weapons and magic, it is sure to never feel like a chore. Combo's can go on for dizzying lengths, rewarding you with new abilities and upgrades to help you in the often challenging encounters. There's also a tactical element; most prevalently in the form of refillable 'light' and 'shadow' magic; used to either increase damage or refill your health meter. It is a challenging thrill to swap between these contrasting abilities during combat; giving even the most hopeless situation a possibility of recovery and victory. It's very rewarding, and when coupled with the abundance of quick-time-events and button mashing finishing moves, you are left feeling satisfied and ready for more. That said, the fixed camera can occasionally hamper your progress in combat; with enemies hidden off screen launching attacks when you aren't expecting them. This however is relatively infrequent, and is unlikely to cause much more than the momentary loss of a combo.
Also of note are the plenitude of puzzles which are littered throughout the games' many environments, offering a break from the hack-n-slash action of the main event. These are of varying difficulty; from the traditional aligning of mirrors and light beams to navigating a maze of electrical currents. Solving puzzles will reward you with experience points; yet these can also be forfeited in exchange for the answer should you become too perplexed. The inclusion of puzzles in the game works well, and if nothing else offers further immersion in the dark and beautiful landscapes of your journey.
Such vista's are assorted and bountiful, and their quality is evident from the outset. Starting in ruins and folklore filled forests; and returning later to the flagship candle-lit castles of it's namesake, Lords of Shadow looks consistently wonderful. Lighting effects are stellar, highlighting crisply detailed pathways and surfaces, forging atmosphere from corners and hallways. Outdoors, trees and foliage sway realistically; tiny details are displayed in the air, and everything is bathed in an artistic mastery which makes an irresistible backdrop to explore within. At times, the camera will pan outwards, revealing extensive valleys and forests or imposing Gothic architecture. Everything looks as you would expect; a fitting display of beauty and darkness with a polished and skilful attention to detail.
Of course, it would mean little without a suitable soundtrack, and Lords of Shadow does not disappoint. As you may expect, rousing choruses of choirs and chants break out mid-combat to a heart thumping orchestra; whilst exploration is often accompanied by more gentle, subtle serenades. It all adds remarkably to the delivery of the story; the above-mentioned voice talents brought to life by emotionally charged, orchestral craftsmanship. It may be different to the traditional style of Castlevania music, but it's so well crafted and suited to the game, that you'll soon find it's just as exciting.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a triumphant re-imagining of a series which has more than beaten the test of time. It may be derivative; taking it's time to live up to it's name; but it's a great success in a genre which is now but flooded with competition. It may not be the same Castlevania that we fell in love with in the 80's, but it represents a compelling and highly produced experience which is sure to leave any fan feeling more than satisfied. With a 20 hour single player story, and an affluence of replay value to keep you coming back, Lords of Shadow is a game that is easy to recommend.
8/10
hi Can u tell me how to pass the spike passage in chapter 5 castlevania, lord of shadow...pls
Nice review. ANd the other one. Hopefully you'll post a bit more around here.
For anyone brought up on an 80's serenade of chiptunes and 8-bit sprites; Castlevania is a household name. It's a series which has seemingly always been there; from it's candle-whipping glory days on Nintendo's home consoles, to it's notably ill-fated ventures to the 3D world. Enter MercurySteam, the developers behind the decidedly hit-or-miss 2007 shooter, Jericho. This time, however, they had turned their eyes to Castlevania, and with the co-operation of the high profile Kojima Productions, hoped to reboot the series as a 3D entity. But is Castlevania: Lords of Shadow a worthy addition to a series so iconic of our 'golden age', or is it simply cursed to begin with?
The first thing you will notice is that this is not the Castlevania you grew to love in the 1980's. It is instead an amalgamation of modern inspiration, set to the backdrop of a highly polished and beautiful action game. The connate feeling of games such as God of War is, at least for the first few hours, very evident. That is not to say that game does not eventually reach the true heights of it's namesake, but true-blood fans may initially be left unsure. That said, it is apparent at the outset that Lords of Shadow is a eminently high quality experience, from it's sleek and satisfying combat to it's luscious (yet fixed angle) landscapes. It is here that you realise that beneath the initial familiarity comes a new and exciting Castlevania story, and you are sure to find yourself engrossed.
Our protagonist, a new Belmont by the name of Gabriel, is thrown into darkness when his beloved wife is murdered by the unholy forces of which he fights against. Gabriel, a member of the holy Brotherhood of Light, sets out alone to discover the answers, and to swear revenge on those who took his love. He soon learns about an artefact; the God Mask; said to have the power to bring the dead back to life. To obtain it however, he must find, and defeat, those who guard it's splintered pieces; the ungodly Lords of Shadow. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow tells a compelling narrative weaved on the themes of love and loss. Gabriel is resolute, he will stop at nothing; and the further he delves into the world and mythos of the Lords of Shadow, the further the lines between good and evil are blurred. Of course, it would mean nothing without good voice acting, and thankfully Lords of Shadow delivers with distinction. Gabriel is voiced by Robert Carlyle, whilst his mentor Zobek is played by Sir Patrick Stuart (who also narrates the games' main plot). As expected, such high quality voice overs add tremendously to the emotion and immersion on display in the game, and the experience benefits greatly because of it. Lords of Shadow feels like an epic quest, and whilst the narrative never intrudes on the action, it delivers a plot which does more than simply usher you along the path.
The action, of course, is outstanding. With fluid controls and a varied arsenal of weapons and magic, it is sure to never feel like a chore. Combo's can go on for dizzying lengths, rewarding you with new abilities and upgrades to help you in the often challenging encounters. There's also a tactical element; most prevalently in the form of refillable 'light' and 'shadow' magic; used to either increase damage or refill your health meter. It is a challenging thrill to swap between these contrasting abilities during combat; giving even the most hopeless situation a possibility of recovery and victory. It's very rewarding, and when coupled with the abundance of quick-time-events and button mashing finishing moves, you are left feeling satisfied and ready for more. That said, the fixed camera can occasionally hamper your progress in combat; with enemies hidden off screen launching attacks when you aren't expecting them. This however is relatively infrequent, and is unlikely to cause much more than the momentary loss of a combo.
Also of note are the plenitude of puzzles which are littered throughout the games' many environments, offering a break from the hack-n-slash action of the main event. These are of varying difficulty; from the traditional aligning of mirrors and light beams to navigating a maze of electrical currents. Solving puzzles will reward you with experience points; yet these can also be forfeited in exchange for the answer should you become too perplexed. The inclusion of puzzles in the game works well, and if nothing else offers further immersion in the dark and beautiful landscapes of your journey.
Such vista's are assorted and bountiful, and their quality is evident from the outset. Starting in ruins and folklore filled forests; and returning later to the flagship candle-lit castles of it's namesake, Lords of Shadow looks consistently wonderful. Lighting effects are stellar, highlighting crisply detailed pathways and surfaces, forging atmosphere from corners and hallways. Outdoors, trees and foliage sway realistically; tiny details are displayed in the air, and everything is bathed in an artistic mastery which makes an irresistible backdrop to explore within. At times, the camera will pan outwards, revealing extensive valleys and forests or imposing Gothic architecture. Everything looks as you would expect; a fitting display of beauty and darkness with a polished and skilful attention to detail.
Of course, it would mean little without a suitable soundtrack, and Lords of Shadow does not disappoint. As you may expect, rousing choruses of choirs and chants break out mid-combat to a heart thumping orchestra; whilst exploration is often accompanied by more gentle, subtle serenades. It all adds remarkably to the delivery of the story; the above-mentioned voice talents brought to life by emotionally charged, orchestral craftsmanship. It may be different to the traditional style of Castlevania music, but it's so well crafted and suited to the game, that you'll soon find it's just as exciting.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a triumphant re-imagining of a series which has more than beaten the test of time. It may be derivative; taking it's time to live up to it's name; but it's a great success in a genre which is now but flooded with competition. It may not be the same Castlevania that we fell in love with in the 80's, but it represents a compelling and highly produced experience which is sure to leave any fan feeling more than satisfied. With a 20 hour single player story, and an affluence of replay value to keep you coming back, Lords of Shadow is a game that is easy to recommend.
8/10
The first thing you will notice is that this is not the Castlevania you grew to love in the 1980's. It is instead an amalgamation of modern inspiration, set to the backdrop of a highly polished and beautiful action game. The connate feeling of games such as God of War is, at least for the first few hours, very evident. That is not to say that game does not eventually reach the true heights of it's namesake, but true-blood fans may initially be left unsure. That said, it is apparent at the outset that Lords of Shadow is a eminently high quality experience, from it's sleek and satisfying combat to it's luscious (yet fixed angle) landscapes. It is here that you realise that beneath the initial familiarity comes a new and exciting Castlevania story, and you are sure to find yourself engrossed.
Our protagonist, a new Belmont by the name of Gabriel, is thrown into darkness when his beloved wife is murdered by the unholy forces of which he fights against. Gabriel, a member of the holy Brotherhood of Light, sets out alone to discover the answers, and to swear revenge on those who took his love. He soon learns about an artefact; the God Mask; said to have the power to bring the dead back to life. To obtain it however, he must find, and defeat, those who guard it's splintered pieces; the ungodly Lords of Shadow. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow tells a compelling narrative weaved on the themes of love and loss. Gabriel is resolute, he will stop at nothing; and the further he delves into the world and mythos of the Lords of Shadow, the further the lines between good and evil are blurred. Of course, it would mean nothing without good voice acting, and thankfully Lords of Shadow delivers with distinction. Gabriel is voiced by Robert Carlyle, whilst his mentor Zobek is played by Sir Patrick Stuart (who also narrates the games' main plot). As expected, such high quality voice overs add tremendously to the emotion and immersion on display in the game, and the experience benefits greatly because of it. Lords of Shadow feels like an epic quest, and whilst the narrative never intrudes on the action, it delivers a plot which does more than simply usher you along the path.
The action, of course, is outstanding. With fluid controls and a varied arsenal of weapons and magic, it is sure to never feel like a chore. Combo's can go on for dizzying lengths, rewarding you with new abilities and upgrades to help you in the often challenging encounters. There's also a tactical element; most prevalently in the form of refillable 'light' and 'shadow' magic; used to either increase damage or refill your health meter. It is a challenging thrill to swap between these contrasting abilities during combat; giving even the most hopeless situation a possibility of recovery and victory. It's very rewarding, and when coupled with the abundance of quick-time-events and button mashing finishing moves, you are left feeling satisfied and ready for more. That said, the fixed camera can occasionally hamper your progress in combat; with enemies hidden off screen launching attacks when you aren't expecting them. This however is relatively infrequent, and is unlikely to cause much more than the momentary loss of a combo.
Also of note are the plenitude of puzzles which are littered throughout the games' many environments, offering a break from the hack-n-slash action of the main event. These are of varying difficulty; from the traditional aligning of mirrors and light beams to navigating a maze of electrical currents. Solving puzzles will reward you with experience points; yet these can also be forfeited in exchange for the answer should you become too perplexed. The inclusion of puzzles in the game works well, and if nothing else offers further immersion in the dark and beautiful landscapes of your journey.
Such vista's are assorted and bountiful, and their quality is evident from the outset. Starting in ruins and folklore filled forests; and returning later to the flagship candle-lit castles of it's namesake, Lords of Shadow looks consistently wonderful. Lighting effects are stellar, highlighting crisply detailed pathways and surfaces, forging atmosphere from corners and hallways. Outdoors, trees and foliage sway realistically; tiny details are displayed in the air, and everything is bathed in an artistic mastery which makes an irresistible backdrop to explore within. At times, the camera will pan outwards, revealing extensive valleys and forests or imposing Gothic architecture. Everything looks as you would expect; a fitting display of beauty and darkness with a polished and skilful attention to detail.
Of course, it would mean little without a suitable soundtrack, and Lords of Shadow does not disappoint. As you may expect, rousing choruses of choirs and chants break out mid-combat to a heart thumping orchestra; whilst exploration is often accompanied by more gentle, subtle serenades. It all adds remarkably to the delivery of the story; the above-mentioned voice talents brought to life by emotionally charged, orchestral craftsmanship. It may be different to the traditional style of Castlevania music, but it's so well crafted and suited to the game, that you'll soon find it's just as exciting.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a triumphant re-imagining of a series which has more than beaten the test of time. It may be derivative; taking it's time to live up to it's name; but it's a great success in a genre which is now but flooded with competition. It may not be the same Castlevania that we fell in love with in the 80's, but it represents a compelling and highly produced experience which is sure to leave any fan feeling more than satisfied. With a 20 hour single player story, and an affluence of replay value to keep you coming back, Lords of Shadow is a game that is easy to recommend.
8/10