I picked Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow up a few days ago after having wanted it since hearing about it's release months ago, made only greater with the news that my favourite news in gaming was involved in it's development - Hideo Kojima. As a student i have to pick and choose my purchases as money isn't exactly.. existent, but this is a game I've wanted from the off. I have to say, it did not disappoint.
My first involvement with the Castlevania series was way back in my golden age of gaming, the PS1 era. The now cult classic Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night had everything i could possibly want from a game so baring that in mind i propelled the Castlevania series to the near top of my favourite gaming franchises. That 10 year old love affair seems so distant, and rightly so, as things have definitely changed, most notably of all the transition to 3D.
The Castlevania series had always been famous and appreciated with fans for it's 2D side scrolling graphics but the graphics so some fans were hesitant if not disappointed when it was announced Lords Of Shadow would be in full 3D. However, this is without a doubt one of the most visually stunning games i have ever come across. Environmentally, it is nothing short of beautiful. The background and foreground blend seamlessly, the towering Dark Lord' castle all to overpowering in the background, you get a real sense of vastness and it's just too easy to lose yourself in the colossal proportions of everything. One scene in particular has Gabriel, the protagonist, running along a huge iron chain leading into a Vampire's castle. The snow is thick and heavy, the silhouette of the castle becoming more and more viewable, every magnificent detail, towering over you, it was almost a piece of art. The game's design, both interior and exterior, work and succeed in giving off a nostalgic, medieval feel which only compliments the game's atmosphere.
It's not simply the environment graphics which both impress and amaze, but also that of the characters themselves. Every facial expression is easily readable, the pain etched into the face of Gabrial all too recognisable. His movements are fluid and graceful, flowing easily with each attack. It is the monsters and demons which really show this graphical marvel however. Castlevania is famous for it's menagerie of vampires, ghosts and ghouls and they have all had a dramatic re imagining with this installment. Most monsters known to the franchises fans make an appearance, from the standard lycanthrope werewolf, to the larger worg and of course - vampires. It's hard not to feel that this time round they wanted the monsters to come across as genuinely scary, which i feel comes across well. Much more grotesque and animalistic than in previous games, the monsters genuinely do give a scary presence, if not from their quite realistic look than by the behaviour by which they are portrayed.
One of the reasons i loved Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night was the musical score. Admittedly, compared to past installments, the score in this game was somewhat lack luster, with no memorable pieces. However, that's not to say it isn't good. Realistically, if everything else has changed, graphics, atmosphere etc, then it only suits that the music would have to change to suit this, and it does. Low key orchestral music is constantly there, not enough to be actively taking attention, but just enough to be always noticeable. When entering combat there is a sudden shift, a faster tempo which perfectly fits with the fast paced action the game provides. Overall, the choir-esque music only compliments the game's religious and medieval aspects, all round adding to the intended. atmosphere. Not only the music, but Konami have definitely forked out something heavy for the voice actors. Non other than Sir Patrick Stewart, narrates the epic tale, also playing a supporting character with Robert Carlyle taking lead role. Both VAs must be applauded for what they bring to the table, a voice which fits the character so effortlessly. It's all very well if a game looks nice, but it has to have substance, and by that i mean story. Luckily, Castlevania doesn't disappoint on this front either. The main antagonist, Gabriel Belmont (Belmont, a name famous with series fans) is well rounded and likable enough to keep the player actively involved and wanting to know what happens next. Moral decisions and a sense of darkness within gabriel's own actions and thoughts provokes curiosity. This man, a servant of God whom has lost all faith in the heavens and is driven solely by love, it is a story people can relate to and due to that, the player actually wants to see what will happen. Will Gabriel succeed in his quest, are the subtle hunts given by the Dark Lords that his quest is for nought actually true? And what of Zobek, the seemingly faithful friend who holds an air of mystery, his methods questionable.. Well you'll have to play to find out. The story admittedly isn't blockbusting special, but it's refreshing and simple, which i for one applaud.
Now onto the actual gameplay. Though the game is classed as an action/adventure, which it certainly lives up to; there are also many platform elements. When the player isn't slaying beats and demons of the underworld, they are controlling Gabriel to leap faithfully from ledge to ledge, climbing up massive stone towers or swinging from the tiniest hook imaginable to swing round through a window. The combat is rather basic, borrowing heavily from the God Of War style; square for light attacks and triangle for heavy - combining variations of the buttons for different combos and while normally this would take attention away from the game itself in LoS' case it does not. The action can jump to a rather rushed pace but not oo quick to follow, and the boss fights are nothing short of magnificent. Without giving too much away; simply chopping away at a 400ft titan isn't going to get you far..New game mechanics, new graphics, new story and characters.. This is a big step for a franchise which has in all fairness, keep things fairly routine as far as things go. But the Konami team haven't forgotten about fans, oh no not at all. Even the name Belmont is a tip to fans as it is a famed name in the franchise, but fab favourite places such as Wygol Village and The Clock Tower make a triumphant return, radically redesigned but there non-the-less. And what a Castlevania be without the Vampire Killer? The whip which strikes fear into the heart of undead creatures everywhere is of course present, this time in the form of a battle cross, and as you can see - it gets the job done just fine..
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