Post by Solvanirn on Oct 27, 2010 13:45:52 GMT -5
Castlevania. Not many games can bring about a series of mixed feelings for gamers like this one can. From Symphony of the Night (SOTN), which is largely regarded as being one of the best games period, to Castlevania64 to the original three on the NES, and to a host of more for titles for the PSP and DS, there has been a lot of ups and downs for the Belmont family. I remember some of my earliest days of playing video games and being awestruck at the sheer brilliance that was the first game. Then I hit the Clockwork level and the all the fun went right out the window at times. I was floored at how difficult it was. Then Castlevania64, not wanting to succumb to playing as the ranged chica and whipping it up old school, thinking it was an easy game. Then came the Frankenstein boss...seriously? SOTN was the sweet spot and really hit all the right notes except for the horrible translation.
(Picture off to the side with caption: That's because I'm fucking Alucard)
I recently had a gift certificate available and was shifting through the local selection at Best Buy and I came across Lords of Shadow. I remember the demo and kind of enjoyed it, but it did not really leave any major impressions. I thought, its Halloween, why the hell not?
The story is quite different than most Castlevania's as there is no Dracula (that I can tell anyways). The world is in terrible shape. God has apparently abandoned the world and the three Lords of Shadow, representing the evils of the world, are slowing dragging it to hell. The Order of the Brotherhood of Light has been charged with restoring the world to order and sends out its members to stop it at all costs. Enter Gabriel Belmont. He's got dreamy hair and an accent I can't quite place. While most Order members get a sword and some daggers. Gabriel gets an ancient relic called the Combat Cross.
(Picture opposite side of text from previous)
Now at first you think, 'Gee, you just run around and stab people?' which is exactly what I thought. Until you realized the Cross holds a chain that you use to royally beat evil into submission. One other difference in that in most of the previous Castlevania games the main character was trying to do it for some greater good, like just killing Dracula because he was evil, or because he kidnapped your love, etc. Gabriel's a tortured man, which isn't really evident at times because you're constantly kicking so much ass. In the week before that game starts your wife is brutally murdered and you originally start on your mission to talk to her from the Lake of Oblivion (apparently the only lake where you can talk to dead people is this one). You see without God, souls are left to wander aimlessly throughout the world. You learn of a way to revive her by piecing together the Mask of God, which has the power to restore life. Thus you start out into the world to kick ass, take names...ah you know the rest.
You have a small number of moves available which quickly expand into some amazing combos, including air, ground, dashing, and magic. The two basic attacks are a straight forward whip attack when you want to focus on one enemy and an area attack that keeps you from getting overwhelmed. You can chain between the two and even launch enemies up in the air to continue the fight.
Early in the game you have access to magic and it just opens more options for you. There are two types of magic which only drain when you connect with an enemy. Light heals you and Dark increases the damage you inflict as well as giving you access to special magic moves. One example is for Light, you put your Cross out in front and blast evil with holy light, illuminating the direction you're pointing in, blinding, damaging AND healing you. Having magic active also makes your items act in different ways like throwing a dagger with Dark magic active makes it turn into an exploding dagger. As you can tell there is a lot going on in this game as far as combat goes. That is where this game shines exceptionally well.
Not to be outdone by the original, the game is really fucking hard at times. Gone are the days where you just button mash whip attacks at bosses and lackeys. The game actually punishes you if you just sit there and spam attacks and you quickly get countered into oblivion. You are rewarded with patience, timing, and sometimes a little luck. I enjoy this type of game, as I find it adds a lot of enjoyment. Its not difficult to be difficult, but I think its meant to be a challenge and it passes the test in every way.
Combat is such a blast I find myself wanting more and more. Good thing the games delivers it to you and delivers it fast and furious (No Vin Diesel though). The story is decent as it keeps the plot moving. I can only guess the ending as there have been a lot of hints along the way regarding Gabriel, his wife and the Patrick Stewart-voiced Zobek, who is the narrator as he watches from the distance (I would be creeped out, but its Patrick Stewart so he's ok). The sound is great with a full soundtrack and moving orchestral pieces at times and others when you scaling the side of a castle, just the wind howling through your ears.
(Hi my name is Zobek and I like to watch...)
There is a downside to all of this. This seems to be a running theme in recent 3D action games as the platforming is just plain terrible at times. Until you get your dash move it seems running full speed then jumping has a tendency to not really do a whole lot as you just fall off of random ledges. However the game doesn't end and it reloads to where you jumped to try again. Honestly I don't find it a detraction because you can regain the health loss you receive rather easily in combat with magic. Just another thing in the game where you have to slow down, take your time and plan your timing and jumps.
I have enjoyed my time with this game and really look forward to playing it until the end. Even after completing a level, the game gives you trials on every one to test your skill even further so it may become a bigger time sink that I had anticipated. I have not had this much fun or this much challenge with a console game in quite some time and it has been a bit of fresh air for me. I would definitely recommend picking this one up if you're a fan of the series or if you enjoy a challenge especially on harder difficulties.
The Good: Combat, combat, combat. Rewarding the player for executing well timed, precise attacks. Patrick-fucking-Stewart. The Combat Cross. Extremely difficult at times.
The Bad: Terrible platforming is terrible. Gabriel's accent.
The Ugly: The Lords of Shadow, they won't be winning any beauty contests anytime soon.
(Picture off to the side with caption: That's because I'm fucking Alucard)
I recently had a gift certificate available and was shifting through the local selection at Best Buy and I came across Lords of Shadow. I remember the demo and kind of enjoyed it, but it did not really leave any major impressions. I thought, its Halloween, why the hell not?
The story is quite different than most Castlevania's as there is no Dracula (that I can tell anyways). The world is in terrible shape. God has apparently abandoned the world and the three Lords of Shadow, representing the evils of the world, are slowing dragging it to hell. The Order of the Brotherhood of Light has been charged with restoring the world to order and sends out its members to stop it at all costs. Enter Gabriel Belmont. He's got dreamy hair and an accent I can't quite place. While most Order members get a sword and some daggers. Gabriel gets an ancient relic called the Combat Cross.
(Picture opposite side of text from previous)
Now at first you think, 'Gee, you just run around and stab people?' which is exactly what I thought. Until you realized the Cross holds a chain that you use to royally beat evil into submission. One other difference in that in most of the previous Castlevania games the main character was trying to do it for some greater good, like just killing Dracula because he was evil, or because he kidnapped your love, etc. Gabriel's a tortured man, which isn't really evident at times because you're constantly kicking so much ass. In the week before that game starts your wife is brutally murdered and you originally start on your mission to talk to her from the Lake of Oblivion (apparently the only lake where you can talk to dead people is this one). You see without God, souls are left to wander aimlessly throughout the world. You learn of a way to revive her by piecing together the Mask of God, which has the power to restore life. Thus you start out into the world to kick ass, take names...ah you know the rest.
You have a small number of moves available which quickly expand into some amazing combos, including air, ground, dashing, and magic. The two basic attacks are a straight forward whip attack when you want to focus on one enemy and an area attack that keeps you from getting overwhelmed. You can chain between the two and even launch enemies up in the air to continue the fight.
Early in the game you have access to magic and it just opens more options for you. There are two types of magic which only drain when you connect with an enemy. Light heals you and Dark increases the damage you inflict as well as giving you access to special magic moves. One example is for Light, you put your Cross out in front and blast evil with holy light, illuminating the direction you're pointing in, blinding, damaging AND healing you. Having magic active also makes your items act in different ways like throwing a dagger with Dark magic active makes it turn into an exploding dagger. As you can tell there is a lot going on in this game as far as combat goes. That is where this game shines exceptionally well.
Not to be outdone by the original, the game is really fucking hard at times. Gone are the days where you just button mash whip attacks at bosses and lackeys. The game actually punishes you if you just sit there and spam attacks and you quickly get countered into oblivion. You are rewarded with patience, timing, and sometimes a little luck. I enjoy this type of game, as I find it adds a lot of enjoyment. Its not difficult to be difficult, but I think its meant to be a challenge and it passes the test in every way.
Combat is such a blast I find myself wanting more and more. Good thing the games delivers it to you and delivers it fast and furious (No Vin Diesel though). The story is decent as it keeps the plot moving. I can only guess the ending as there have been a lot of hints along the way regarding Gabriel, his wife and the Patrick Stewart-voiced Zobek, who is the narrator as he watches from the distance (I would be creeped out, but its Patrick Stewart so he's ok). The sound is great with a full soundtrack and moving orchestral pieces at times and others when you scaling the side of a castle, just the wind howling through your ears.
(Hi my name is Zobek and I like to watch...)
There is a downside to all of this. This seems to be a running theme in recent 3D action games as the platforming is just plain terrible at times. Until you get your dash move it seems running full speed then jumping has a tendency to not really do a whole lot as you just fall off of random ledges. However the game doesn't end and it reloads to where you jumped to try again. Honestly I don't find it a detraction because you can regain the health loss you receive rather easily in combat with magic. Just another thing in the game where you have to slow down, take your time and plan your timing and jumps.
I have enjoyed my time with this game and really look forward to playing it until the end. Even after completing a level, the game gives you trials on every one to test your skill even further so it may become a bigger time sink that I had anticipated. I have not had this much fun or this much challenge with a console game in quite some time and it has been a bit of fresh air for me. I would definitely recommend picking this one up if you're a fan of the series or if you enjoy a challenge especially on harder difficulties.
The Good: Combat, combat, combat. Rewarding the player for executing well timed, precise attacks. Patrick-fucking-Stewart. The Combat Cross. Extremely difficult at times.
The Bad: Terrible platforming is terrible. Gabriel's accent.
The Ugly: The Lords of Shadow, they won't be winning any beauty contests anytime soon.
