Castlevania Lords of Shadow (Series)

[X-SOLDIER]

So, I happened to be browsing around the Official Castlevania Site today, when I noticed something REALLY odd, and more than a little disturbing. On the Characters page, there's a section for Marie. It contains the same details on her that are covered in the game, but it's got a different image where -

Spoiler

...she's holding a blue rose.

Now this image isn't new. It's been out since at least October, because I saw it in an article talking about the game, and there's even a version with a background, though I can't tell where it's from, or when it's supposed to have taken place. Either way, just something I found very odd. While it could be

Spoiler

a metaphor for her beauty, it seems more closely tied into the witches and deception

.

At any rate, it made me go and I thought I'd share.


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[X-SOLDIER]

So, while not exactly new, it's a much better version of what I had before. I found a much higher quality version of the screenshots/artwork today. The artwork has spoilers of the first game. I individually spoiler tagged them all, because they're damn big, and the text below will hide the spoilers from the main game. The bigger screenshots make is much easier to tell what's going on.

Spoiler: Click Here for the Images!!!

Screenshots

Spoiler: Laura wandering a new area of the castle

Spoiler: Laura fighting Ghouls

Spoiler: Laura on the castle balcony

Spoiler: Laura draining her blood into a bowl

Spoiler: Laura & Gabriel facing off against Reapers

Spoiler: Laura & Gabriel attacking a Skeleton

Spoiler: Laura & Gabriel

Artwork

Spoiler: Concept Sketch of the fallen tower peak where Carmilla was impaled

Spoiler: New Clocktower(?) Area

The Young Lords of Shadow

Spoiler: Cornell

Spoiler: Carmilla

Spoiler: Zobek

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[Max Payne]

http://www.examiner.com/video-game-...evania-lords-of-shadow-discounted-to-under-20

Game is on sale until the 13th.

Why do I never have money when these sales happen ffs

 

[Vossler]

Hmm. Looks like fun!

 

[Ryushikaze]

So, finally beat the game this sunday.

The ending was blatantly obvious if you've played the series, so much so I- as mentioned- figured it out around chapter 2. The ending does raise a few important questions- why the godmask appears for Death when he is not defeated, what is his holy counterpart like, such things as that.
All of these are interesting and I hope they are answered in the sequel or DLC.

But no, what I want to talk about is Gabriel versus Mathias, and how they are so alike and so different.

Both were men of god, devoted and true. Both men had their wives taken from them. Both head down a dark path, Mathias willingly, Gabriel led down it. Mattias defies the established ways, while Gabriel follows a prophecy, and preserves the greater order.

Mathias sees God as his enemy, as that to be defied. Gabriel- and that's a meaningful name, even if he has rejected it come the epilogue- sees god as his ally, as someone to be helped by and also to help.

Most interestingly, however, is that Mathias, despite his choice to turn, his lack of guiding prophecy, seems the less free of the two. He is bound by what he has become, defined, summoned forth, slave to his schedule and stuck in, for lack of a better word, a rut.
Gabriel, puppet up til the end, makes his own decision and breaks free of the prophecy and the puppetry that had guided him to that point. Gabriel, our heroic dracula, was a man with no choice, manipulated to the end, who made one and gained freedom.
Mathias, villianous dracula, freely chooses his own path and manipulates others to attain his status, but seems to lose his freedom in the bargain.


That said, I rather like NeoDrac's uneasy alliance with NeoDeath from the epilogue. Interesting take on their old friendship.

Also, given Narrator!Zobek's seeming Omniscience, I get the feeling he and Person!Zobek aren't entirely the same person.

Also, what with the duality and sacrifices aspect of the game, I was surprised the Pan fight wasn't against a Doppleganger, or for Pan to be revealed as Gabriel's own opposite in some way.

One other thought- the wall climb sections of this game feel like an improved version of Uncharted's mechanic. It even uses the same basic indicators. Drake, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a secret Belmont.

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

A whole lot of glowing praise that makes this sound like the best Castlevania in ages, let alone the best 3D title in the series.

Certain chapters really hit the feeling, other bits are more standard fantasy fare.

Considering the faith I have come to possess in these two when discussing games, comics, and films (at least where our interests intersect)...

Fuck, why don't I have a PS3?!

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

this confirms that I'll be picking this game up when it's cheaper I had been told it was crappy but the demo left me wanting moar

 

[X-SOLDIER]

But no, what I want to talk about is Gabriel versus Mathias, and how they are so alike and so different.

Both were men of god, devoted and true. Both men had their wives taken from them. Both head down a dark path, Mathias willingly, Gabriel led down it. Mattias defies the established ways, while Gabriel follows a prophecy, and preserves the greater order.

Mathias sees God as his enemy, as that to be defied. Gabriel- and that's a meaningful name, even if he has rejected it come the epilogue- sees god as his ally, as someone to be helped by and also to help.

Most interestingly, however, is that Mathias, despite his choice to turn, his lack of guiding prophecy, seems the less free of the two. He is bound by what he has become, defined, summoned forth, slave to his schedule and stuck in, for lack of a better word, a rut.
Gabriel, puppet up til the end, makes his own decision and breaks free of the prophecy and the puppetry that had guided him to that point. Gabriel, our heroic dracula, was a man with no choice, manipulated to the end, who made one and gained freedom.
Mathias, villianous dracula, freely chooses his own path and manipulates others to attain his status, but seems to lose his freedom in the bargain.

That said, I rather like NeoDrac's uneasy alliance with NeoDeath from the epilogue. Interesting take on their old friendship.

I have to say that this is one of the most interesting observations that I've seen. I really hope that the upcoming DLC supports this image of a heroic Dracula that you detailed.

this confirms that I'll be picking this game up when it's cheaper I had been told it was crappy but the demo left me wanting moar

You missed getting it for $20. It was well worth the initial pickup price for me.


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[Jaqen H'ghar]

You missed getting it for $20. It was well worth the initial pickup price for me.


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DAMN IT oh well I might return Uncharted then because I suck at shooters and pick up that one... maybe if I can find it used at a decent price.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

DAMN IT oh well I might return Uncharted then because I suck at shooters and pick up that one... maybe if I can find it used at a decent price.

Du eet FGJ.

Also - Konami, PLEASE announce the release date for Reverie already. A ton of sites have it reported as Feb, and that's THIS MONTH!! (Not to mention that Feb's shorter than then rest of them). I need to know when it's coming out.


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[Jaqen H'ghar]

Du eet FGJ.

Also - Konami, PLEASE announce the release date for Reverie already. A ton of sites have it reported as Feb, and that's THIS MONTH!! (Not to mention that Feb's shorter than then rest of them). I need to know when it's coming out.


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BUT I REALLY WANT TO LOVE UNCHARTED the story sounds something I would love I will forcibly make myself become decent at shooter games

YEAH WHAT HE SAID

 

[Jaqen H'ghar]

also you might want to check out some of this artwork from Lords of Shadow

http://jlvb.cghub.com/images/
http://pedronunez.cghub.com/images/

 

[X-SOLDIER]

I recognize all of that, except Draco, which is pretty damned cool. It's the only artwork that I don't remember. (Some of the Gabriel Belmont might be new too, though I think I saw a couple of these posted on another site a while back). You unlock a HUGE amount of concept art for each level you go through in C:LoS.

I don't mean to burn on Uncharted at all, I just really think you should try this out. Plus, if you're not very good at shooters (like me), you'd probably enjoy the combat more.


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[Jaqen H'ghar]

I'll give Uncharted another try I got it pretty recently if not I'll go return it hopefully they'll give me my whole $6 credit from selling some used games along with the rest of it

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Probably a good call there, especially if you just picked it up recently.


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[X-SOLDIER]

While there's still no specific release date, it's official that the Reverie DLC is still hitting this month. Not only that, but Dave Cox revealed on the C:LoS Twitter that you'll be playing as Laura through certain sections! Given that PSN updates on Tuesdays, it'll have to be released on the 8th, 15th, or 22nd to make the February mark. Rely on Horror's Castlevania News seems to be the best source of information for updates.

Latest news:
• Feb 1st: "Me and my team are in Spain to finish up the DLC. We need to eliminate those last few bugs!!! Hola!"
• ~3 hours ago (2/4): "Flying back to the UK today and then back to Spain next week. Nearly done!"

I'm assuming that means the 15th or the 22nd are most likely release dates.


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[Ryushikaze]

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-reverie-dlc-delayed-until-march/

In a word: Fuck.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Not all that bad, actually.


They finished the Reverie DLC on Feb 12th, but it's going to be a couple of weeks in submissions (aka to get it into PSN/XBLA), which pushes it into March. That likely means early March though, and the good thing is that this means less wait until Resurrection: which is still on schedule for April!!!

That being said, they're putting together a trailer for Reverie that should hit soon, and they've dropped a teaser image.

And the latest from Twitter ~4 hours ago:

Son_of_Belmonts http://twitpic.com/427swk - "That resembles the old Castlevania when Simon enters the Castle! Sweet!"
CastlevaniaLoS "Well spotted! That was the intention! We are presenting the teaser trailer in a new format. We hope everyone will like it!"


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[Ryushikaze]

Not all that bad, actually.


They finished the Reverie DLC on Feb 12th, but it's going to be a couple of weeks in submissions (aka to get it into PSN/XBLA), which pushes it into March. That likely means early March though, and the good thing is that this means less wait until Resurrection: which is still on schedule for April!!!

That being said, they're putting together a trailer for Reverie that should hit soon, and they've dropped a teaser image.

And the latest from Twitter ~4 hours ago:

Son_of_Belmonts http://twitpic.com/427swk - "That resembles the old Castlevania when Simon enters the Castle! Sweet!"
CastlevaniaLoS "Well spotted! That was the intention! We are presenting the teaser trailer in a new format. We hope everyone will like it!"


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It's not that bad, but it's still fuck that I have to wait a couple more weeks for it.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

It's not that bad, but it's still fuck that I have to wait a couple more weeks for it.

I'd rather wait and have all the bugs worked out. ^^



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[Ryushikaze]

They've been worked out, or at least the devs think they have. We're waiting on administration nonsense now.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Just a little shout out for Oscar Araujo because C:LoS just won the ‘Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media’ from the IFMCA.

No new news on Revierie yet, however.


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[X-SOLDIER]

Since Reverie is still up with Sony & Microsoft, and they have yet to receive an official release date, their Official Facebook Page dropped this update.

The team at MercurySteam is working diligently to create the best possible DLC with “Reverie”. We apologize for the delays and will make sure to update you as soon as the release date is finalized. Our Castlevania fanbase is very important to us and we want to take every possible step to ensure you enjoy the new DLC. Until then, check out this brand new screenshot from “Reverie” and be sure to come back often for more new content! We appreciate your patience and continued support for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.

Looks like there's some cool new water enemies swimming around in the depths of the castle.
I think that's Laura waiting for you across the way too.


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[Ryushikaze]

Dammit MicroSony, get off your asses already and upload the bedamned thing!

And yeah, looks like Laura to me too. Interesting platforming element too, assuming the water here is completely off limits.

 

[Max Payne]

If this was for Steam it'd have been out last month.