1120°

"The God of War comparisons really pissed us off"

Producer Dave Cox is in good form, as he usually is when we meet. And why not? Under the ballsy Englishman's guidance, Spanish developer MercurySteam has reinvented the Castlevania series, deftly navigating the tricky transition into modern day gaming so many have struggled with.

That reinvention began with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hack and slash action game that sparked scepticism when it was announced but pleasantly surprised critics when it was released. Its sales success spawned a 3DS 2.5D spin-off, a HD remake of that spin-off and a Collection. Now, nearly four years later, MercurySteam's tenure as custodian of the Castlevania reinvention comes to an end with Lords of Shadow 2.

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PeaSFor3787d ago

play exactly like a GOW, "The God of War comparisons really pissed us off"

what? what the hell are they expecting? ....a comparisons with Lumines?

UltimateMaster3787d ago

We need more of these types of games.

NukaCola3787d ago

Why be pissed. Castlevania took a game play element from Metroid and everyone loved it. Now LoS has a very lite style of fluid combat similar to GOW and it's an outrage? I for pne love it's game play. LoS is a great reboot.

mikeslemonade3787d ago

I remember gameflying this game. It's overrated. It's a 2nd tier action game.

zeee3787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

I guess they wanted a comparison with racing games or Mario or Sonic? Who knows? :P

/s

minimur123786d ago

The problem is, whenever a not well as known studio like MercurySteam make a game the same genre as a AAA game, it will only be compared. Just like how heavenly sword was labeled 'GoW but with a chick' and such, the only stimulatory is the genre, but itll happen. It's a shame really because it means from these labels people will miss out on great games.
( but then we give them a try when they come to PS plus, or games with gold of your lucky lmao ;) )

Dir_en_grey3786d ago

Anybody that played both games can see they ripped off a lot of stuff straight from God of War. How dare they even say they didn't steal anything?

DatNJDom813786d ago

No need to be mad when your compared to the champ. I LOVED Lords of Shadow and Mirror of Fate. I'm pretty sure Lords of Shadow 2 one will be up there as one of my favorite games this gen.

mikeslemonade3786d ago

The champ is Bayonetta.. sorry

DatNJDom813786d ago

@mikes

LOL. I don't know if your serious or not.......

kane_13713786d ago

@DatNJDom81 you sound more stupid when calling LOS a champ. even Enslaved was better than that game.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 3786d ago
Last_Boss3787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

his?!!

Two things that definitely sets God of War apart from Castlevania is:

1.The dynamic set pieces

2.The weapons/items and how they're acquired.

My favorite GoW weapon is most certainly, the Zues Gaunlet.

PeaSFor3787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

wich can also be like a 3d Rygar to an extend?

Last_Boss3787d ago

The original first part if my comment read. Lament of Innosence was before God of War, or did we forget this?!!

maniacmayhem3787d ago

I loved Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. that game got murdered in the reviews and I have no idea why, it was super fun and the ending was terrific!

linkenski3787d ago

And the fact that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is an ass game.

Dannycr3786d ago

@Maniacmayhem

Lament Of Innocence didn't get murdered in reviews. It actually has pretty high reviews all across the board with 9's on most sites. To me, that is the only real Oldschool 3d Castlevania.

I do love Lords Of Shadow though.

CrossingEden3786d ago

You do know that "dynamic" means "not the same every time" which is a very poor word to describe god of war set pieces, which will play out the EXACT same time EVERY time.

Last_Boss3786d ago (Edited 3786d ago )

@Crossing

But guess what, it's still would be just that, no matter what, considering it will always change no matter how many times you see the same thing.

Constant change, activity, or progress.

I sure do see a lot of activity and change as Kratos is kicking ass.

It's a linear action/adventure not Battlefield.

Dynamic is also a descriptive, word to add flare.

So if they call Batma & Robin, the Dynamic Duo, would it be cause they're constantly fighting crime, getting older, or just plain kicking ass!!!!!

You can't tie a shoestring with wood,man.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3786d ago
starchild3787d ago

It's really not THAT much like God of War. I mean it's an action, hack and slash game and there are bound to be lots of similarities, but they each have their own identity.

Personally I thought Castlevania had the more interesting combat with light and shadow magic and the way that interacted with the different items. The story, for me, was also a lot better in Lords of Shadow than in GOW3 and Ascension. I can't relate completely to Kratos, but I definitely really relate to Gabriel.

Anyway, I do like the God of War series quite a lot. They are both great franchises with their own identity. I personally just enjoyed Lords of Shadow more and I can't wait for Lords of Shadow 2 next month.

Tontus3787d ago

It was very similar, looking at all the great changes to LoS2 they had the potential to differentiate themselves from GoW with LoS but lacked the confidence to go through with it.

The combat wasn't as fun, GoW3 story is better (LoS is more a self-contained story than GoW3 where you 100% need to play all 3).

I relate to Kratos, there's a lot more to his character than many people think. Gabriel was just depressing and pretty boring, although I love what he's become in LoS2.

Lord_Sloth3786d ago (Edited 3786d ago )

No, DMC and GoW are action games with their own identity. LoS had the block/counter system, the uber hit everything chain weapon, the grab attacks, the cinimatic bosses, even the freaking Icarus jump complete with wings and everything! It isn't just similar, it has more in common with GoW than Dante's Inferno!

Ezz20133786d ago (Edited 3786d ago )

i love lord of shadows and i love God of war games
LOS took alot from GOW but that was never a bad thing and i can't wait for C:LoS2

i love GOW games more though (GOW3 was pretty damn epic and untill now i have yet to find a H/S game that match it awesomeness)

kupomogli3787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

Sorry, but as similar as combat may be, it's also very different than God of War. So is traversal. Traversal is more like Uncharted which the latest God of War decided to copy, possibly because Lords of Shadow.

Besides. God of War also isn't the first game of this style. Devil May Cry and Castlevania Lament of Innocence predate the original God of War.

isarai3787d ago

except that it really doesn't play like GoW at all really, LoS has far more depth and you cannot just button mash your way through the game as you got to block and dodge a LOT in order to stay alive. not to mention the enemies actually have unique sets of strengths and weaknesses so the typical "keep hitting them till they die" isn't always going to work

GameSpawn3787d ago

Have you played Titan Mode?

Flamingweazel3787d ago

Total BS on anything other then easy many enemies require certain tactics and specific special attacks to defeat, yuo cannot get through GOW but simply mashing buttons, simply totally false it's impossible. Especially bosses, and mnay small enemies require certain attacks, and blocking and counter attacks. Lie moar?

dragonyght3787d ago

@GameSpawn I don't think he ever play a GOW game

raWfodog3786d ago

Have you really played God of War? There are plenty of enemies that will steamroll you if you just sit there trying to button-mash on them. You have got to block and dodge and you get more XP points by killing different enemies in certain ways, especially the bosses.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3786d ago
JsonHenry3787d ago

I feel like he thinks that comparing two 3rd person brawlers is basically saying he ripped off GoW. But that is just silly. We've had these types of games in 3D since PS1 one days. (earlier than that on PC!)

And then before that we had action 3rd person 2D going all the way back to the 80s.

This guy needs to relax.

ZombieGamerMan3786d ago

true it didn't rip it off like a certain other game about a angry dude with red markings on his body with an iffy past that is slowly revealed. But like a great man once said "It's like God of War But also a bit like Shadow of The Colossus."

showtimefolks3787d ago

as someone who loves god of war series and really has a great time with lords of shadow, i think its an compliment to be compared to such a great series

more people should have played lords of shadow IMO

raWfodog3786d ago

I'm going to pick up the LOS collection from Amazon very soon. I never played it but I always wanted to get into it. I've just had a really huge backlog of games to paly through so I never got around to it. Works out cause now I can get all the DLC content for it.

GamingNerd0133787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

Lol funny bro but yeah I agree. The thing is god of war is the game that defined how fluid story movement t and the fact that u can cancel ur moves in middle of combos is what made it one of the best action games to date. And let's not forget the epic boss fights with insane and satisfying brutal QTE finishers kills u can do. Anyway I have to agree GOW is what made actions games is today ally Dante inferno lOS and many more. NG series is a fun action game but it's not fluid as GOW as u can't cancel ur moves doing combos and while bosses r really kool and challenging they aren't epic as GOW bosses. Bayentta was fun but it was to much just bottun mashing and lame story but really awesome and creative large scale bosses and also that u can cancel ur moves while doing combos.

yeahokchief3786d ago (Edited 3786d ago )

As long as the platforming isn't gODAWFUL like it was in Lords of Shadow's DLC.

In 20+ years of gaming I don't think i've had worse platforming controls since a few of the original NES games made by LJN.

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE Platforming controls. those 2 pieces of dlc were not worth their cost. added practically nothing to the story.

Bascially it's like they cut out parts of the game that didn't feel finished and then later sold them as DLC or something because my god was that dlc bad. I enjoyed the main game at least.

still overall the game was pretty solid and definitely worth playing to listen to all the epic music by oscar ajuro.

I'll buy LoS2 on release day but god I hope the platforming is better. Now that I think about it, i should probably check out that demo i got with the complete edition of LoS. I bought los on release but also picked up the complete edition to get the dlc and portable game. THey at least priced the rerelease well.

Overall i think they did a pretty good job with the new castlevania games, but i really want another sidescroller castlevania again.

yeahokchief3786d ago (Edited 3786d ago )

This is coming from someone who Platinumed the game. I can't believe out of all the comments that i'm the only one mentioning how bad the platforming controls in their game was.

Did you guys even play Lords of Shadow?

Forget complaining about the combat similarities. Their biggest problem were the camera issues at times combined with the stiff platforming controls where you'd do these ridiculously uncontrollable leaps by tapping the button lightly where you'd jump over the platform you were trying to jump on.

Segata3786d ago (Edited 3786d ago )

Well God of War ripped off Rygar and Castlevania Lament of Innocence. The combat in GOW ripped LOI off. So CV series can't rip off what the the series created.

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 3786d ago
JohnnyTower3787d ago

God of War has a pretty generous fanbase and is almost a household name. The comparisons aren't a bad thing.

BlackWolf3787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

That may be true, as GOW is a source of inspiration for hack 'n slash games, but what if they want to be recognized by thier own merits, instead of being compard to another franchise? Some devs just don't like comparisons, becuase it becomes a matter of "who did this best, who did this worse, etc...", and you could end up being a "copycat" if the comparisons get out of proportions. Just my interpretation, tough.

JohnnyTower3787d ago

There is no doubt nobody likes to be compared to another. But its easier to compare it to a staple of the genre than maybe something more esoteric. That's all I meant. I loved GOW so I can see me getting behind this one as well. See? Its working already ;)

JamieL3786d ago

True, but Castlevania has been a household name since the late 80's, so I would personally say the Castlevania name in gaming is bigger than GOW. Now this is just my opinion, and I am not trying to take anything from GOW, it has more than earned it’s spot in the Gaming Hall of Fame, but I’ve been with Castlevania since ’86 and it is a classic for all time.

Shane Kim3787d ago

Of course you'll be compared to the top dog of its genre.

ZombieKiller3787d ago

That's what "setting the bar" is all about.

Maybe people would compare other games to his....if his set the bar.

from the beach3787d ago

God of War comparison is sort of a back-handed compliment - obviously it's a well-liked and acclaimed series, but it's not exactly Ninja Gaiden.

from the beach3787d ago

Well yeah, there are many different kinds of 3D fighting games, for many different audiences.. they're not all 'God of War clones'..

MoveTheGlow3787d ago

Well, thankfully it's not NG 2 or 3. A Symphony of the Night-esque expansive, loot-laden Ninja Gaiden 1 as Alucard/Dracula could be freaking amazing. I'm guessing that's not in the cards, reading this article.

tehpees33787d ago

Ninja Gaiden without Itagaki isn't worth it. The quality of NG3 proves it. Also looking at the new one the series is just going to go more downhill from here.

Tontus3787d ago

lol Ninja Gaiden? God of War 1, 2 and 3 shit all over that rubbish.

Who even cares about Ninja Gaiden anymore? Perhaps before God of War when DMC & NG rules the genre but that was a long time ago, since 2005 GoW has been the game/series all hack 'n slash games are measured against.

In what world is comparing Lords of Shadow with the most acclaimed, beloved and popular franchise in its genre ever a back-handed compliment?

Deep-throat3787d ago (Edited 3787d ago )

You are crazy if you think GoW shit on NG.

Look, I love GoW, DMC, Bayonetta, Lords of Shadow... but I think NG is the best in this genre.

Sevir3787d ago

Devil May Cry 3 is by far the most engaging of all of them, Bayonetta comes second then everything else.

DoubleM703787d ago

Yes Ninja Gaiden 1 and 2 in my opinion were the best of the last generation. Some people even thought it was too hard.

Show all comments (112)
210°

Lords of Shadow 2 Is Castlevania's Most Underrated Title

From memorable boss fights to chilling lore revelations, here's why Lords of Shadow 2 may be the most underrated Castlevania game.

Gamerking821325d ago (Edited 1325d ago )

Well i enjoyed my time with it and thats all that matters too me, i could not care less what others thought. Please bring 3 out Konami or at least a 1 and 2 remasters.

morganfell1324d ago

Same here. I own it on PS3 and PC and love the title. The soundtrack is amazing and the tone they paint for the character of Dracula with Robert Carlyle's great voice work is perfect.

mrsolidsteel201324d ago

Same here, I’m a huge castlevania fan, have all of the games. Even the remake that was made on the Wii.

And I have the PS3 and PC versions of both games as well.

darthv721324d ago

They look really cleaned up on the xbo through bc. The LoS games are some of my favorites.

Bennibop1324d ago

Have been playing 1 and 2 on PS now and it's definitely better than i remember

FreeckyCake1324d ago

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness is way more underrated than this one

bananacrust1324d ago

it was ok. but the hide and seek BS was some of the dumbest stuff in the world.

moriarty18891324d ago

great game. have it playable on my xbox one thru BC.

rgraf771324d ago

I remember the intro being fun an action packed. Then the game became "OK" with a lame hub system and sneaking around as a rat. The modern time frame levels weren't the great either. Lord of Shadows 1 was much better and I wish they had continued with that formula.

Show all comments (20)
gangsta_red1549d ago

I'm a huge Shantae fan, but this selection is weak. It's official, MS is definitely skimping on GWG in favor of GP.

I mean...I guess LoS 2 is cool.

SPEAKxTHExTRUTH1549d ago

Don’t you mean it’s “your opinion “ that MS is skimping on GWG? I happen to like LOS2 and will be glad to play through it again. And GP is a PAID service don’t you think that a PAID service should offer better quality games? Yes yes I know XBL is also a paid service but that’s a different conversation

gangsta_red1549d ago

No it's an actual fact. Every comment I leave is a fact.

"And GP is a PAID service don’t you think that a PAID service should offer better quality games?"

Yes, I actually do think that a PAID service should offer better games, but as you also made mention and casually dismissed XBL is a PAID service and don't you think a PAID service should offer a better selection of games?

djl34851548d ago

@gangsta_red

XBL is a paid service for ONLINE SERVICES aka online multiplayer. The free games given every month is just a bonus. Stop bitching.

1549d ago Replies(1)
micdagoat191548d ago

all 4 of these are pretty good games. Not sure what ur talking about

1548d ago
Christopher1549d ago

Finished Batman TEW a few months ago. It was the second worst TT game I've played. Really didn't enjoy it.

I hope those that do play it get more enjoyment out of it than I did.

darthv721549d ago

Sonic generations and LoS2.... hell yeah. My 360 has been itching to play these.

nevin11549d ago

As a non Xbox gamer, why are the free games availability scattered around.

I mean Batman is available the whole month

Castlevania is available March to the 15th

Shantae is available starting March 16th

Sonic is available the 16th-31st.

Has always been like this?

shabz6661549d ago

Yep it’s always been like this. It was weird then and it’s weird now

SpeedDemon1549d ago

Yeah its been like that. They do 2 games at the 1st of the month and then the other 2 on the 15th, some of the games are available for longer periods, it's depends on what they work out with the publisher .

Smellsforfree1548d ago

You just have to "claim" it from the store within those time frames so it doesn't matter that much to people who are interested, but I agree it is kinda weird.

autobotdan1549d ago (Edited 1549d ago )

Awsome!! Great games!

Show all comments (25)
230°

Terrifyingly Bad: A Look Back At the 3D Castlevania Games

If you decide to play a Castlevania game, make sure it's in 2D. Unfortunately, the series has never been able to make the jump from 2D to 3D successfully. Publisher Konami has tried. Six times in fact, but whether trying to build it in-house or with a third party developer, they never captured the essence of the series or make a good game for that matter. So just to be sure you know what to look out for, here are the six 3D Castlevania games that have been made.

isarai1682d ago

I loved the hell out of lords of shadow, lords if shadow 2 had its moments but just didnt leave as much of an impact on me as the first did, still loved it though. They are both great games IMO, maybe not the best "Castlevania" games but great games in their own right.

RememberThe3571681d ago

Yeah that first game was legit good. Really wish they hadn't taken a step back for the second, this series really looked great in 3D.

AK911681d ago (Edited 1681d ago )

According to one of the former devs of Mercury Steam the higher ups kept interfering with the sequel to the point where the game was nothing like what the dev team had envisioned for the sequel so we got the mess that was Lords of Shadows 2.

PhoenixUp1682d ago

I enjoyed Lament of Innocence and Lords of Shadow. They were entertaining titles and I wouldn’t mind trying Lords of Shadow 2 on PS Now.

Just because a game isn’t GOTY worthy does not mean it’s not worth playing. You could do a lot worse than those exceptional titles.

Abcdefeg1682d ago

Curse of darkness was ahead of its time

Hedstrom1681d ago

I really liked lament of innocence and Lords of shadow! Havent tried the other 3d games. But ive played most of the 2d games!

gangsta_red1681d ago (Edited 1681d ago )

I don't know why Castlevania: Lament of Innocence gets a bad rap. It was one of the best in the series at that time and really was a compliment to the Devil May Cry 3rd person style of action that was getting popular at that time.

I rented it on a fluke and was seriously surprised on how good it was. So much so I went out and bought a used copy of Curse of Darkness and instantly returned that trash.

The problem with Nintendo 64 games is they all tried to mimic the Mario/Zelda 64 style of gameplay and how could they not with that whacky ass N64 controller. Almost every game outside of Nintendo's own felt horrible and incomplete.

Show all comments (26)