Interslicery
.....
sigh..
Castlevania Lords of Shadow (Series)
- Thread starter Max Payne
- Start date
ForceStealer
Double Growth
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/2251-Castlevania-Lords-of-Shadow
Yahtzee's inevitable spanking.
Yahtzee's inevitable spanking.
Dana Scully
Special Agent
- AKA
- YACCBS, Legato Bluesummers, Daenaerys Targaryen, Revy, Kate Beckett, Samantha Carter, Matsumoto Rangiku
And it's all true. Though I personally quite enjoyed the colossus fights, probably because I never played SotC so it was a rather new experience.
Dana Scully
Special Agent
- AKA
- YACCBS, Legato Bluesummers, Daenaerys Targaryen, Revy, Kate Beckett, Samantha Carter, Matsumoto Rangiku
Could just be that one of your connections is loose. Double check that they're all plugged in properly. If that doesn't work, you can try unplugging then re-plugging your hard drive a few times.
Other than that I dunno, probably means your hard drive's frakked.
Other than that I dunno, probably means your hard drive's frakked.
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
SO,
I beat this last night.
I played over my 5-day weekend.
I'd been avoiding the internet completely, and any strategy guides.
There's only one tiny part that I caved and looked it up online.
Overall, it's one of the most satisfying gaming experiences that I've had in a LONG time. Ditching all the guides and playing through a game old-school style may have had some to do with it, but it also delivered in spades on everything that The Force Unleashed II failed me on, and more, which made the experience that much sweeter.
The game is broken into 12 Chapters with ~2-8 levels per chapter. After each level, you unlock concept art, and another piece of the story. While it may feel a bit disjointed for some people, I really enjoyed each piece feeling like isolated events along his travels, and the story bits voiced by Patrick Stewart are important and captivated my attention. Early on, before the game's agenda starts pressing down, the early levels are incredibly enjoyable to just wander and explore. Without any mini maps, you learn your way through each level and wander around taking in just how damn GOOD the game looks. All the cutscenes use the in-game graphics and models, so occasionally you'll notice minor differences in things that you've seen before. The atmosphere for each level is spot on, and drew me into the game, along with all the lore and images that you unlock about your surroundings and creatures on the way. Unlocking the trials for each level, and leaving hidden upgrades that you can only obtain by going back, along with higher difficulties for each level gives a good, and easy reason to want to replay previous levels.
The platforming is solid, and I didn't run into any issues figuring out where to go, or getting anywhere. It's smoothly integrated into most all parts of the environment, and the occasional collapsing walls, or need to modify the environment keeps you on your toes.
None of it feels forced, and it seems to fit the environments, and the movements are all simple and very mundane at the beginning, moving towards more fantastic leaps as Gabriel's abilities grow.
Combat is great. It feels powerful, and your area attacks were weak enough that you want to fight tactically, and the combat system rewards careful fighting, especially well timed blocks and dodges. The eventual addition of new features for the Combat Cross, other relics, as well as Light and Shadow magic makes for a ton of different tactics that you can use with a good variety of moves to suit your play style, not to mention your items. There are plenty of different types of enemies, large, small, and colossal. The small to human-sized enemies range vastly in difficulty, which keeps you on your toes for the majority of the time. The larger enemies take some learning, but each have attack patterns that you can learn, and eventually turn to your advantage. The Titan battles are sometimes a little tough to get into, and involve more memorization than innovation for traversing the beasts,
but it doesn't really make the experience bad, because it holds with the precise platforming, and you have the feeling that it's really an entity that you need to approach with caution. And the occasional Chupacabra will send you back to square one for a time for a little extra challenge.
The QTE prompt system is something I enjoyed FAR more than others. Essentially you're going to be mashing a specific button in the direction it appears on the screen, (I played on PS3, to Triangle appears at the top, Circle at the right, X below, and Square on the left). The other is A single button tap when the circle passes within the other circle. This is simple, non-distracting, and engaging (and the different speeds will maintain a challenge at times). It allows you to interact, and participate, but not be afraid to watch the cutscene playing out, because you're looking for a button combination to enter. This is ESPECIALLY nice at the conclusion of a boss battle.
The puzzles are good. Many are simple, others are thought provoking, but nothing that I felt TOO helpless on. The one thing that I looked up (mentioned earlier) wasn't bad, it's just something I didn't consider: (When all else fails - dodge roll). There was one mechanic that was minorly bothersome
, but not TOO horrible that I ever got frustrated with a puzzle. I never unlocked a single solution, but knowing that the option was there is something that was a good plan. I can't say how helpful they are though (as I never used them).
I can't say enough about the story. The tension, suspicion, and emotions are all managed superbly. The levels let you wander in areas where the urgency isn't as pressing and do a good job of keeping you going forward when you really need to find out what's next. I never felt like I was TOO stuck on anything or anywhere. The story is full of twists and turns and I got hooked HARD. I was more than satisfied with the concluision as well.
I plan on going back through the game and finding all the things that I couldn't/didn't obtain yet, and also just because I really love the atmosphere, and it's fun to play. I only experienced one minor glitch, that scared me more than anything else, and didn't interfere with my playability at all.
The concept art, storyboards, and small monster/character entries, show all the thought and effort that went into each little piece of the game. I lucked out and got the final copy for this, but I'd love the Collector's Edition for the Artbook and Soundtrack (though I'm glad I didn't spoil myself on the artwork before hand). It's true that this game borrows mechanics from other titles
, but it doesn't feel like they're hashed together, it uses the for all the right reasons, and in the right ways and is very much it's own game, and doesn't feel like a clone. Really, I could gush about this game all day long, but I'd just encourage you to go check it out for yourselves.
X
I beat this last night.
I played over my 5-day weekend.
I'd been avoiding the internet completely, and any strategy guides.
There's only one tiny part that I caved and looked it up online.
In Baba Yaga's Music Box, I looked up that you had to Dodge Roll through the spinning blades in the Magenta Section, because I was getting tired of dying continually when I barely stepped in there, (and I hadn't used Dodge Rolling to bypass ANYTHING in a puzzle or the environment before, so it didn't occur to me).
The game is broken into 12 Chapters with ~2-8 levels per chapter. After each level, you unlock concept art, and another piece of the story. While it may feel a bit disjointed for some people, I really enjoyed each piece feeling like isolated events along his travels, and the story bits voiced by Patrick Stewart are important and captivated my attention. Early on, before the game's agenda starts pressing down, the early levels are incredibly enjoyable to just wander and explore. Without any mini maps, you learn your way through each level and wander around taking in just how damn GOOD the game looks. All the cutscenes use the in-game graphics and models, so occasionally you'll notice minor differences in things that you've seen before. The atmosphere for each level is spot on, and drew me into the game, along with all the lore and images that you unlock about your surroundings and creatures on the way. Unlocking the trials for each level, and leaving hidden upgrades that you can only obtain by going back, along with higher difficulties for each level gives a good, and easy reason to want to replay previous levels.
The platforming is solid, and I didn't run into any issues figuring out where to go, or getting anywhere. It's smoothly integrated into most all parts of the environment, and the occasional collapsing walls, or need to modify the environment keeps you on your toes.
The addition of the double jump with the Seraph Shoulders, along with the Cyclone Boots made it get a little muddy when you're in the realm of the dead, because the timing of a double jump greatly affects your distance, as does the dash from the Cyclone Boots. That's because with those factors, the distance is not as precise as it was originally, because there's too many factors to account for to expect you to dash and double jump at just the right moment to barely grab a ledge. However, the whole section with the portals made up for that for me.
Combat is great. It feels powerful, and your area attacks were weak enough that you want to fight tactically, and the combat system rewards careful fighting, especially well timed blocks and dodges. The eventual addition of new features for the Combat Cross, other relics, as well as Light and Shadow magic makes for a ton of different tactics that you can use with a good variety of moves to suit your play style, not to mention your items. There are plenty of different types of enemies, large, small, and colossal. The small to human-sized enemies range vastly in difficulty, which keeps you on your toes for the majority of the time. The larger enemies take some learning, but each have attack patterns that you can learn, and eventually turn to your advantage. The Titan battles are sometimes a little tough to get into, and involve more memorization than innovation for traversing the beasts,
(though the Dracolich was MUCH better about this than the first two titans)
The QTE prompt system is something I enjoyed FAR more than others. Essentially you're going to be mashing a specific button in the direction it appears on the screen, (I played on PS3, to Triangle appears at the top, Circle at the right, X below, and Square on the left). The other is A single button tap when the circle passes within the other circle. This is simple, non-distracting, and engaging (and the different speeds will maintain a challenge at times). It allows you to interact, and participate, but not be afraid to watch the cutscene playing out, because you're looking for a button combination to enter. This is ESPECIALLY nice at the conclusion of a boss battle.
The puzzles are good. Many are simple, others are thought provoking, but nothing that I felt TOO helpless on. The one thing that I looked up (mentioned earlier) wasn't bad, it's just something I didn't consider: (When all else fails - dodge roll). There was one mechanic that was minorly bothersome
ground punching to activate floor panels, because I'm HORRIBLY innacurate with it. It made the Frankenstein Mechanical Monstrosity fight a bit annoying
I can't say enough about the story. The tension, suspicion, and emotions are all managed superbly. The levels let you wander in areas where the urgency isn't as pressing and do a good job of keeping you going forward when you really need to find out what's next. I never felt like I was TOO stuck on anything or anywhere. The story is full of twists and turns and I got hooked HARD. I was more than satisfied with the concluision as well.
I began to distrust Zobek in small pieces, though hadn't figured him for the Lord of Death. I thought that it was HIM using the mask to disguise himself and kill Marie & Claudia, but the fact that it actually was Gabriel made it that much stronger. That Satan was manipulating the events from behind the scenes fit the mythology spot on, despite the last minute reveal, just when you think you know what's happening. Best of all was that the relationship between Gabriel and Marie was beautifully well done. The fact that she hid the truth from him to make him a hero was amazing, because he WOULD have fallen to nothing if he knew the truth. Pan's story arc is what surprised me the most, and got me focused on beating the story last night, especially fitting was during the Satan fight, I didn't catch on to his tactics right off, and he knocked me back and yelled "Has Pan taught you nothing?!" after which point all the little moments made sense. The epilogue completely blew me away though. It was SO unexpected, and so very fitting with everything that happened in this game that I want to see another one more than I've wanted to see with any game in recent memory.
I plan on going back through the game and finding all the things that I couldn't/didn't obtain yet, and also just because I really love the atmosphere, and it's fun to play. I only experienced one minor glitch, that scared me more than anything else, and didn't interfere with my playability at all.
In the sewers below the Vampire Castle, I drowned in the bog once attempting to get to a Brotherhood corpse across from the stairs. I re-spawned back on the stairs, and there were Naiad hands in the poisonous fog next to the stairs directly by where I spawned that constantly reached up and pulled under the water, SUPER quickly. It made the room even MORE creepy, and I swiftly exited.
(God of War, Prince of Persia, Shadow of the Colossus, Portal)
X
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
...I wish I could play it.
My little brother's 360 died two days ago, which is just before he was going to try and get this after I'd been going off about it, so I understand your pain.
X
Ryushikaze
Deus Admiral Parsimonious, PHD, DDS, MD, JD, OBE
- AKA
- Tim, Ryu
I just picked up a PS3, so I'll be picking this up sooner or later, along with some other PS3 exclusives.
ForceStealer
Double Growth
Awesome, Ryu, let me know your PSN name and stuff.
And that sucks Tets
X, that is the most positive review I've heard. How much did the story strike you as Castlevania?
And that sucks Tets
X, that is the most positive review I've heard. How much did the story strike you as Castlevania?
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X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
@ Force: Honestly, I don't have a much experience with the Castlevania mythos, so I'm probably not the best person to ask. ^^; There is quite a lengthy section inside the Vampire's castle, because it's fucking HUGE that's a bit more like standard Castlevania games. Personally I liked that LoS was a new continuity for the series that's independant of the previous titles, because while I could catch subtle references to things I knew about here and there, I didn't feel lost if I didn't know them.
Most of the story-hating reviews I've read tend to note that they get bored/annoyed with the Patrick Steward voice clips at the beginning of each level, because they feel like they're just telling you where Gabriel's going. While they do that, they're VERY important to the overall story, and there's a reason they're there, and they do have more than just "Gabriel goes from here to there." There's even a review that say without them, there's huge story holes. Well, no SHIT, it's how a large section of the story is told. *facepalm* Just because the level may load before he's done talking, don't just skip the clips.
I don't know what it is, but I'm completely fine with parts of a story being told by words, especially since most of that is told in a way where any other format wouldn't work as well (as you'll find out later in the game). For example Braid's story didn't bother me, just because it was mainly told in text, but TONS of people marked it as a flaw with the game, and how it was told.
Looking at it now, I think that makes a lot of difference in how people take to the game. If the broken up format doesn't work well for you, or you don't find a want to go read about the characters, etc that you unlock, you'll likely have a harder time taking to things. *shrugs*
X
Most of the story-hating reviews I've read tend to note that they get bored/annoyed with the Patrick Steward voice clips at the beginning of each level, because they feel like they're just telling you where Gabriel's going. While they do that, they're VERY important to the overall story, and there's a reason they're there, and they do have more than just "Gabriel goes from here to there." There's even a review that say without them, there's huge story holes. Well, no SHIT, it's how a large section of the story is told. *facepalm* Just because the level may load before he's done talking, don't just skip the clips.
I don't know what it is, but I'm completely fine with parts of a story being told by words, especially since most of that is told in a way where any other format wouldn't work as well (as you'll find out later in the game). For example Braid's story didn't bother me, just because it was mainly told in text, but TONS of people marked it as a flaw with the game, and how it was told.
Looking at it now, I think that makes a lot of difference in how people take to the game. If the broken up format doesn't work well for you, or you don't find a want to go read about the characters, etc that you unlock, you'll likely have a harder time taking to things. *shrugs*
X
Ryushikaze
Deus Admiral Parsimonious, PHD, DDS, MD, JD, OBE
- AKA
- Tim, Ryu
As a long term Castlevania fan, once I play, I can give an accounting of its 'feel' as a CV title, continuity reboot or no.
Strangelove
AI Researcher
- AKA
- hitoshura
I guess I could see the complaint, that they are just telling you the story through some narration on a still screen rather than properly showing you it.
Also, does the English release of this include the Japanese audio track? Because after watching the trailer, I want that too now
Also, does the English release of this include the Japanese audio track? Because after watching the trailer, I want that too now
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
I understand that, but trust me- there's a reason for it.
Also, does the English release of this include the Japanese audio track? Because after watching the trailer, I want that too now
Not sure, but I hope so.
X
Strangelove
AI Researcher
- AKA
- hitoshura
It would be easier if games still let you change the language yourself instead of just reading the system's language settings.
But I'm probably the only one who goes looking through options every time to see if you can change the language.
But I'm probably the only one who goes looking through options every time to see if you can change the language.
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
So, the Epilogue.
Gabriel becomes Dracul(a), following his (hinted) Cronqvist lineage. In addition to that, Zobek is (still) alive. I assume that the completion of the God Mask would mean that he's the original Zobek, made immortal, since the Lords of Shadow needed to be reunited with their Heavenly halves to obtain each shard of the God Mask. This may mean that Carmilla and Cornell are alive as well, though Zobek's situation was different than the other two, and being the Lord of Death may have allowed him some unique abilities.
I was watching the clip on youtube when I noticed a comment that intrigued me. Right after Dracula vanishes in the street, and it pans back to Zobek, there's an old, stooped woman with no umbrella, and wrapped in rags just behind Zobek, who looks like Baba Yaga. Extremely stooped appearance (shoulders seem very far back for a normal human), grey hair, similiar facial features.
The Lord of Death (evil Zobek) says that he's going to, and also claims that he does kill her in the game, but this is an event that no one witnesses. It seems unlikely that Zobek would have brought her back, though it seems plausible as he claims to be able to rid Gabriel of his immortality if he helps him to stand against the acolytes of Satan. However, as has been shown with Malfas' history, witches tend to survive crazy situations that kill other mortals. I'm not entirely sure that she could have survived the Lord of Death, but she may have outwitted him... That Blue Rose you obtained for her may have allowed her to fool him, and slip away unscathed.
If you want to see it for yourself, the clip's at 6:38
Gabriel becomes Dracul(a), following his (hinted) Cronqvist lineage. In addition to that, Zobek is (still) alive. I assume that the completion of the God Mask would mean that he's the original Zobek, made immortal, since the Lords of Shadow needed to be reunited with their Heavenly halves to obtain each shard of the God Mask. This may mean that Carmilla and Cornell are alive as well, though Zobek's situation was different than the other two, and being the Lord of Death may have allowed him some unique abilities.
I was watching the clip on youtube when I noticed a comment that intrigued me. Right after Dracula vanishes in the street, and it pans back to Zobek, there's an old, stooped woman with no umbrella, and wrapped in rags just behind Zobek, who looks like Baba Yaga. Extremely stooped appearance (shoulders seem very far back for a normal human), grey hair, similiar facial features.
The Lord of Death (evil Zobek) says that he's going to, and also claims that he does kill her in the game, but this is an event that no one witnesses. It seems unlikely that Zobek would have brought her back, though it seems plausible as he claims to be able to rid Gabriel of his immortality if he helps him to stand against the acolytes of Satan. However, as has been shown with Malfas' history, witches tend to survive crazy situations that kill other mortals. I'm not entirely sure that she could have survived the Lord of Death, but she may have outwitted him... That Blue Rose you obtained for her may have allowed her to fool him, and slip away unscathed.
If you want to see it for yourself, the clip's at 6:38
X
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
Two DLC packs coming in early 2011.
The first one "Reverie" focuses on Gabriel going back to the castle and assisting Laura with some evil that was unleashed after Carmilla was killed. "Resurrection" is the second, and larger one that focuses on the events just after the game ends.
So. Fucking. Excited.
X
The first one "Reverie" focuses on Gabriel going back to the castle and assisting Laura with some evil that was unleashed after Carmilla was killed. "Resurrection" is the second, and larger one that focuses on the events just after the game ends.
So. Fucking. Excited.
X
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
Looks like IGN's got 6 other large new artwork images. Gabriel in the clocktower and possible somewhere else in the castle, and the three Lords of Shadow pre-fall. Konami's official site states that the DLC will contain new Areas, Monsters, Storyline and Combat Moves.
I seriously hope things shape up for you, so you can Dacon.
Tets: I really do hope that you can somehow get a new PS3 / get it fixed.
X
I seriously hope things shape up for you, so you can Dacon.
Tets: I really do hope that you can somehow get a new PS3 / get it fixed.
So in Reverie, I'm wondering about the identity of the evil being released when Carmilla gets killed. Part of me suspects that it may be related to Frankenstein, since Carmilla was supposedly keeping him barely alive and tortured for his experiments. I'm not entirely sold on that concept, as Laura would likely be able to deal with him. Also - since the other DLC happens just after the ending, I'm curious as to when this part is supposed to take place.
As for Resurrection, I'm almost certain that this will flesh out Gabriel's descent towards becoming Dracula. I'm hoping that there will be a hint that Baba Yaga is still alive. Also, because of the concept art, I'm thinking that Slogra will be one of the main fights for this. I'm glad that this will be the larger of the two DLCs.
As for Resurrection, I'm almost certain that this will flesh out Gabriel's descent towards becoming Dracula. I'm hoping that there will be a hint that Baba Yaga is still alive. Also, because of the concept art, I'm thinking that Slogra will be one of the main fights for this. I'm glad that this will be the larger of the two DLCs.
X
X-SOLDIER
Harbinger O Great Justice
- AKA
- X
So, in playing back through the Town and Abby section in Wygol (going to get some Life Gems and upgrades that I hadn't picked up yet), I've noticed something.
On the DLC content front, Joystiq's released some screenshots of Reverie. They're a little small, though. I wonder if we'll run into
EDIT: More speculation upon replaying this week.
X
Zobek mentions that there's something that could potentially impede thier progress that he has to take care of. When you show up, all the townsfolk are afraid, and there are a large number of the Warriors of Light have been killed. I'm assuming that Zobek was the one who killed them as Death. The other interesting part is that Vincent Dorin says that you're servants of Satan, and that Satan has told him this to torture him. While it's played off initially as him just being mad, it's rather apparent that his accusations are true, and it's not a stretch to imagine that Satan was torturing him. You ended up leading him to his death when he was likely hiding the relic from Zobek, to prevent Satan from attaining his goals, rather than fearing to save the townsfolk.
On the DLC content front, Joystiq's released some screenshots of Reverie. They're a little small, though. I wonder if we'll run into
Rinaldo Gandolfi at any point in the DLC. His daughter was taken by a vampire, and he was supposed to have been seen alive in Lords of Shadow, but you never encounter him.
EDIT: More speculation upon replaying this week.
I just got to the room in the Chromatic Observatory that you use all the lenses to open (missed it before by progressing), and found a scroll that mentions that the castle is alive and constantly changing. This was due to a pact made with the Bernhard family (previous owners), and demonic forces, possibly the devil. I'm thinking that this is a logical progression for the ancient demonic forces of the castle itself that Carmilla kept at bay, and would also tie in to the theme of Gabriel becoming Dracul(a) if he manages to best the forces of the castle, and possibly control them.
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