Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate

johnny_ultimate · 30-05-2012 10:33pm #1

http://www.siliconera.com/2012/05/29/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-to-focus-on-exploration/

3DS?

Sequel to Lords of Shadow (remember that ending)?

2.5D?

Focus on exploration?

Time travel?

Take my money, Konami. Just take it already.

Retr0gamer · 31-05-2012 12:02am

I liked but didn't love Lords of Shadows so not altogether convinced but I'll give Mercury Stream the benefit of the doubt since LoS was far better than I expected.

johnny_ultimate · 31-05-2012 12:08am

I would say Lord of Shadows was a God of War clone that was actually a bit better than God of War. A fairly punishing but rewarding game on higher difficulties. Great production values and art design, though.

Curious to see how they get on with the old school Castlevania template.

GhostInTheRuins · 31-05-2012 8:15am

Are the 3D Castlevanias any good?

I love all the "metroidvania" ones, and just finished symphony of the night again last week actually

.

johnny_ultimate · 01-06-2012 12:36pm

GhostInTheRuins wrote: »

Are the 3D Castlevanias any good?

I love all the "metroidvania" ones, and just finished symphony of the night again last week actually .

Not really. Lords of Shadow only has a very light 'Metroidvania' feel to it (mostly collectible chests you can go back and get if you want), and is mostly more similar to God of War than any of the previous Castlevania games. Still very enjoyable on its own terms though.

Full Lords of Shadow sequel announced too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUcUz5Vo6iw

Retr0gamer · 01-06-2012 1:08pm

I wouldn't even call it a light metroidvania feel, it's pure God of War really.

The other 3D Castlevaniasare disappointing with the best being Lamennt of Innocence on PS2 and the most remarkable thing about that game is that it has the worst plot twist ever, up there with Bionic Commando.

deathrider · 01-06-2012 1:49pm

I'm not overly excited about this sequel, becuase I wasn't really mad about the first LoS. It was a good game, for sure. But I just wasn't anything special. Mind you, it's early days for this one. On the other hand, that's one of the best trailers I've seen in a very long time.

Mr. K · 01-06-2012 6:24pm

I loved Lords of Shadow, my favourite game of 2010! Gabriel was much easier to sympathise with than Kratos, which is probably why I enjoyed it more than GoW. The trailer for 2 is amazing, but it doesn't tell us much about the game! Hopefully will contain more exploration and nods to old Castlevania games.

Don't read if you haven't finished LoS:

if we play as Gabriel in 2, there are some very cool gameplay possibilities, with his new powers. It looks like he still uses the whip anyway.

Looking forward to seeing more details about Mirror of Fate, love them Metroidvania titles!

Mr E · 04-03-2013 9:38pm

So this is out on Friday. The only 'review' I can find is on the Guardian website. The game is out in the States tomorrow, but none of the main sites have a review up yet.

I hope that isn't a bad sign. I've really been looking forward to a new portable Castlevania.

Anybody heard anything? Really hoping this is good.

Retr0gamer · 04-03-2013 10:26pm

Heard some negativity. Enemies are sponges for damage and the combat doesn't really work that well in 2D.

Also the Metroid type elements are badly implemented where it might as well be a linear game. Not sure I trust those reviews but the demo has major pacing issues with the enemies.

cloud493 · 05-03-2013 1:36am

Wasn't a fan of the demo at all. Another one to pick up cheap I think.

johnny_ultimate · 05-03-2013 2:00am

The frame rate in the demo was shocking, and particularly pronounced given the reliance on fast attacks, dodges and blocks. I really wish they'd have downplayed their ambitions graphically if it meant stable FPS.

Hard to call other than that, demo was a mere teaser. Curious to see how reviews turn out, but such a tight embargo can more often than not be a cause for concern.

Mr. K · 05-03-2013 2:31am

I'm excited to play the final game. The combat is quite different to the Metroidvania games, but I loved LoS once I got used to it so I'm hoping MoF is a similar experience. The demo hinted at the exploration possibilities, hopefully it delivers.

I'm in States at the moment though, so a friend is shipping over an EU copy to me here...the 3DS region lock is so irritating.

Mr E · 05-03-2013 9:24am

First few in. Very very mixed (ouch at IGN)

Eurogamer

7/10

Metro

8/10

IGN

4.7/10

CVG

8.4/10

Nintendo Life

8/10

Star Lord · 05-03-2013 10:05am

That IGN review was savage, but you can tell the reviewer loves Castlevania, so I think it all seems pretty fair.

johnny_ultimate · 05-03-2013 12:23pm

Several reviewers point out its the best (handheld) Castlevania in years. Which is a completely meaningless statement since the last 'traditional' Castlevania games is around five years old!

Mr. K · 05-03-2013 8:45pm

Strange how different the IGN review was, but they're good overall. Looking forward to getting stuck into this!

Retr0gamer · 05-03-2013 9:06pm

Jeremy Parish should be putting up a review of the game on 1up as a last hurrah for the site and isn't impressed at all with it it sounds from his blog. He is an big Vania fan though.

Retr0gamer · 06-03-2013 4:13pm

Some quotes from jeremy parish on his blog:

Even if you like Lords of Shadow, Mirror of Fate is a different game. And a worse one.

That being said, I did confess to enjoying Lords of Shadow, so my perspective may be a bit different. I still want another IGA-vania, though, dang it!

Unfortunately I feel like it’s lackluster by any definition. I’d hoped for better.

http://telebunny.net/toastyblog/2013/03/nobody-loves-grant-danasty/#comments

Mr. K · 06-03-2013 9:11pm

Gametrailers gave it an okay review:

http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/hh0pvo/castlevania--lords-of-shadow---mirror-of-fate-review

Retr0gamer · 08-03-2013 1:35pm

1up's final review:

http://www.1up.com/reviews/review-shambling-mirror-fate-signals

cloud493 · 08-03-2013 1:39pm

I picked it up today. I'm weak :pac:

Mr E · 08-03-2013 3:53pm

Me too.

I'll post some feedback tonight when I've played an hour of it.

valleyoftheunos · 08-03-2013 4:03pm

cloud493 wrote: »

I picked it up today. I'm weak :pac:

Mr E wrote: »

Me too.

I'll post some feedback tonight when I've played an hour of it.

Its Castlevania, its hard to say no. Let us know what its like.

COYVB · 08-03-2013 4:47pm

Decent enough game. Very little challenge and some retarded level design bits, but it's fun if you're into brainless stuff

cloud493 · 08-03-2013 6:52pm

This is actually my first castlevania game, apart from the lords of shadow demo on the PS3.

Retr0gamer · 08-03-2013 7:05pm

cloud493 wrote: »

This is actually my first castlevania game, apart from the lords of shadow demo on the PS3.

Christ sake man, get yourself Symphony of the Night as soon as possible.

RobbingBandit · 08-03-2013 8:38pm

€49.99 in Gamestop it's not in the trade two games and €9.99 deal neither.

Retr0gamer · 08-03-2013 8:53pm

Probably 33 euros on playasia. That US 3DS is coming in handy.

Mr E · 09-03-2013 10:22am

OK I've played the first 1h55m of the game (up to beating the 2nd proper boss). Sorry IGN and Jeremy, I'm firmly in the "Damn, this is a great game" category. Don't get me wrong, I'd love another 2D sprite-based Castlevania from Igarashi-san, but don't piss all over this game because it doesn't look or play exactly like the others.

The reviewers that gave this 8/10 and 80% ratings were bang on the money.

Mr. K · 09-03-2013 9:43pm

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Christ sake man, get yourself Symphony of the Night as soon as possible.

I agree, this statement applies to anyone who hasn't played SOTN. It's on XBLA and PSN!

Incidentally, SOTN art is among the items Konami UK just posted on Pinterest, some lovely stuff here: http://pinterest.com/konamiuk/castlevania/

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate

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