Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

**KENT HAMMER** on Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:11 pm

Firstly I must say that this is not the Castlevania platformy retro goodness that we are all familiar with from the past.
Oh no, this a shiny new 3D Epic version of the long running franchise and what a truly impressive job that Konami and Mercurysteam have done with it too!

The strap line on the box sums it up nicely “Dark times need a Dark Hero”

You play Gabriel Belmont a member of a holy order of knights called the Brotherhood of Light. Its the usual kinda story where he is out for revenge after the Dark Lords killed his woman and are trying to destroy everything that is good in the world.
One of the first things you begin to realise is this game is epic in scope and size and you will probably be only halfway through the main story after 10 hours play, maybe not even that far if you get stuck into the trials that unlock after you complete each level. Of which there are around 50 in total, varying from dense jungle to snowy plains or smelly bogs and you won't even get to see the tower until you are many hours into your adventure. Like I said EPIC!!!

Gabriel is armed with his trusty combat cross and this is on a long chain that he swings around to great effect. This can be upgraded along the way to include a bladed chain for example and don't forget you are also armed with daggers that you find in vases and on enemies. These can be very effective when your low on health for some long range death giving!

The combat in this game is very much like god of war and there are puzzle and platform sections that remind me of prince of persia and tomb raider. This is a very good thing and you never have time to get bored as there is always so much going on.

The combat is fun and challenging and on the easiest difficulty setting you can get away with some button bashing but on hard you need to block and move and think very tactically for each different awesome beastie you encounter.
The use of the dark and lights forces is very well done along with the use of dark and light magic that you learn along your journey too.

Also your magic system has an important part to play to help you revive some much needed health in your battles. Basically the more stylish way that you make your kills the more quickly you will fill up your magic meter, which in turn you can use to heal yourself or to add extra damage dealing in battle.

So who are you fighting against I hear you ask?
Well you have trolls, golems, massive titans, chupacabras, werewolves, vampires and even the undead. When fighting a huge titan on a icey lake you had to climb up his huge body using your cross and chain as a grappling hook and to swing around his huge torso. Some sections do include some minor button timing sequences but nothing too hideous and you do get some much needed checkpoints to help you along.

Like I said before after competing every level you get a percentage complete rating and one of the harder achievements involves getting 110% complete on every level!!! So this means getting 100% and completing in on the uber hard Paladin mode that unlocks after completion of your first playthru of the whole story. Then each level also has a trial to complete, like finish the level within a certain time-frame or survive the level with 3 villagers still alive etc etc.

Finally there is an interesting twist with the puzzles you encounter along the way in that you can elect to skip them or be given a hint instead, but this of course means losing the points bonus too!
And we all know what points mean! PRIZES!!!
Well, erm no actually, they are used to upgrade your skills and combos of course funny-face 8-)

This game is stunning visually and honestly feels like 3 games in one.
You are really getting HUGE value for money and you will come back again and again to replay the levels on each difficulty. Also no need for point whores to worry as the achievements do stack if your brave enough to try and tackle hard right from the off. Then you would only require one further play on Paladin to earn all the lovely cheevies in two goes.

Oh and finally I must mention the voice acting as it absolutely top notch throughout with Patrick (Star trek and X-men) Stewart doing all the narration and cut-scenes as he plays Zobek an elder of the holy order.
Rumours of an unlock-able battle sequence between Zobek and an armoured James Cordon hobbit type character are still unconfirmed at this stage *-)

Overall this game is a must buy, yes it not without some minor niggles with the fixed camera view sometimes, but really that would be being picky. This is the start of something big for the franchise and I feel there will be many more adventures to come for our mate Gabriel yet.

I will award this stunning epic the Official Gamerscore Addicts seal of approval with it climbing, jumping, rappelling and swinging its mighty weapon to a whopping 9 out of 10.

Avoid at your peril. Nuff said.

Everton on Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:16 pm

another fine review pal

was wondering whether to get this and you have convinced me its a must have

cheers

stubbymite on Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:22 pm

nice review there m8 does sound like a very cool game. i may have to look into this one at some point in the future Smile

Asurans Progeny on Thu Oct 07, 2010 3:55 pm

Good read, nice one mate. Very Happy

**KENT HAMMER** on Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:18 am

Everton wrote:another fine review pal

was wondering whether to get this and you have convinced me its a must have

cheers

It truly is a must buy, really enjoying it.
Just wanted to let you guys know before release day tomorrow.

Two Discs, single player only goodness

Leigh36295 on Fri Oct 08, 2010 2:53 pm

Shall put this on my rental list on Lovefilm. Had zero interest at all before. Good review Smile

**Colne Crusader** on Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:32 pm

That was a nice review!!!!

I really want this now, but I'm on a games buying ban as I have whined about before! Sob!! :-(

Guest on Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:20 pm

Excellent review Kent. am getting closer and closer to buying this Very Happy

Leigh36295 on Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:24 pm

Just finished playing the demo for this, and I am very impressed. The graphics are pretty stunning. The characters and areas have a sort of Fable vibe to them. The cutscenes and narration are epic. And the action was non stop and fast paced throughout. 100% getting this now. I recommend you all try the demo too.

Rainjermaine on Sat Oct 09, 2010 5:48 am

decent review, after playing the demo i couldnt help feel this was going to be another repetetive slash em up. i noticed you only mention a tiny irritation in camra angles, is there nothing else about this game that you didnt like?.other reviews ive read mentioned drops in frame rates when the action heats up, and also during cut scenes, and also that the game freezes for a split second every time you use the instant kill. Ive also heard that its incorporated ideas form a fair few similar popular games thus not making it very original. Whats unique about this compared to similar games like dantes inferno and god of war?

**KENT HAMMER** on Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:59 am

Rainjermaine wrote:decent review, after playing the demo i couldnt help feel this was going to be another repetetive slash em up. i noticed you only mention a tiny irritation in camra angles, is there nothing else about this game that you didnt like?.other reviews ive read mentioned drops in frame rates when the action heats up, and also during cut scenes, and also that the game freezes for a split second every time you use the instant kill. Ive also heard that its incorporated ideas form a fair few similar popular games thus not making it very original. Whats unique about this compared to similar games like dantes inferno and god of war?

I am not geeky or freaky enough to notice minor graphical problems, its looks FANTASTIC and the cutscenes are MINT.

It does steal ideas from many other games, but that is a great thing as it always feels fresh on each of its 50 levels.

Trust me this is a great game, but as its only single player you could always wait 6 months and get it alot cheaper.

DoctorMambo on Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:12 pm

Thanks for the review. I will look for this in the bargain bins - I've still got the Castlevania arcade game unplayed!

kinmad4it on Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:17 pm

After reading your review I think I'll deffo pick this up later on once it's dropped in price a bit. It does remind me of Dantes Inferno, which is no bad thing as I'm even thinking of picking that up again on the cheap I liked it that much.

thommo12 on Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:41 pm

Nice review dude, I really liked the demo but I think I'll wait for this to come down in price before getting it.

Guest on Wed Dec 29, 2010 6:30 pm

I have been playing this this afternoon and not sure I am going to stick with it. The grpahics are mind blowing but the camera angles are so frustrating sometimes. Also its already becoming a bit of a button basher with my poor right thumb very sore. Will see how it goes Embarassed

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

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Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

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Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

Re: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Review by Kent hammer

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