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Dracula Awakens in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

The "big, flowy coat with no shirt on underneath" look: for vampires, pro-wrestlers, and vampire pro-wrestlers only.

Dec. 10 2012

Posted by: Alex

101 Comments

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LaserLambert

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Edited By LaserLambert

I thought Lords of Shadows was great, but not the story...

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SpecDotSign

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Edited By SpecDotSign

@ZombieHunterOG said:

im surprised this got a sequel as i felt the first one wasn't 2 great

I'm surprised you and I are the only one's who feel that way. PS2/Xbox gen 3D Castlevania games are better.

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chose

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Edited By chose

Ninja Gaiden should have stayed 2D. Metroid should have stayed 2D. Castlevania should have stayed 2D.

And the list goes on and on.

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probablytuna

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Edited By probablytuna

I don't like the voice for Dracula. It doesn't fit.

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eSci

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Edited By eSci

Remember when Castlevania was about a guy with a whip or in SOTN a guy with a many swords going into or around Dracula's castle killing dudes for no other reason than you have to kill them?

Yeah, I loved that too, which is why Castlevania is one of my most favorite franchises.

But this, this is just... ugh. I did play the previous game that this is a sequel to and I didn't particularly like it and I don't foresee myself enjoying this one either.

Why can't they just be like: Hey, you are a vampire hunter and Dracula is a vampire. Go and kill him. Then have a load of interesting enemies and great boss fights. That would be alright, right?

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Beb_Jobel

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Edited By Beb_Jobel

This looks legitimately interesting. Playing as Dracula is a cool twist.

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CaLe

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Edited By CaLe

The guy I played in the first game wasn't so angry and vengeful. He was a peaceful soul who stood for honor and what was right. I'm not sure I can get on the starboard with this new side to him. I dunno why he is so angry. He commit himself to slumber for a really long time and expected everything to be back to business when he awoke? A naive notion, and not one I expect any being of sufficient intellect to display. This Draguul (I made this word myself) needs to give me some reason to empathize with him, because as it stands, I can only hope that he gets a good slap around the face by a woman of ill-repute.

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ghost_cat

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Edited By ghost_cat

Sad to see this series become a joke.

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EchoEcho

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Edited By EchoEcho

@eSci: There are already dozens of Castlevania games that do exactly that, and I'm sure there will be more in the future. I don't see what the problem is with the Lords of Shadow series being something different.

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ghostNPC

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Edited By ghostNPC

Weird face movements while he's talking... pretty jarring. :(

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xyzygy

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Edited By xyzygy

First game was amazing, one of my all time favorites. Best story. Cannot wait for this.

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Jost1

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Edited By Jost1

First game was genuinely good, eff the haters

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Krathoon

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Edited By Krathoon

Well. They ruined Castlevania. :(

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KittyVonDoom

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Edited By KittyVonDoom

SEE YOU AT THE PAY PER VIEW

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Charlee_CoCo

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Edited By Charlee_CoCo

@Krathoon: Really? This was the game that finally did it? It hasn't been every Castlevania game for the past several years that people have said the exact same thing about? Do you remember Castlevania Judgment being good? Or a good idea for the series in general?

@eSci: Check out the upcoming 3DS game Mirror of Fate. Although if you're simply upset by the fact that the games have more and more story as the franchise continues then you're constantly going to be disappointed by video games in general.

@chose: Those series wouldn't have survived outside of handhelds (if even that) had they stayed 2D.

The reason why there hasn't been a full on 2D disc based console release for games like Castlevania, MegaMan, Ninja Gaiden, etc, in years is because not enough people would buy the games to justify the game's budget. Despite what people might think it's actually really expensive (in Japan) to do traditional 2D games, and when they do happen they often end up having a higher price tag when released (in Japan) due to the fact that it's only going to appeal to a niche audience.

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PillClinton

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Edited By PillClinton

This is... kinda silly. Liked the first one well enough, though (but c'mon guys, it was just too damn long), so I'll definitely play this at some point.

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Krathoon

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Edited By Krathoon

@Charlee_CoCo: Well, Judgment was more of a spin off. Really, the more I read about the 3DS game and this one, it does seem like they are loosely sticking to the roots. You still have the Belmonts vs Dracula. I will be happy if this one focuses on the castle.

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SleepyDoughnut

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Edited By SleepyDoughnut

I think this is a really poor name for a video game. Let's add a 2 to a generic subtitle.

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chikusho

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Edited By chikusho

Awful voice casting

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Charlee_CoCo

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Edited By Charlee_CoCo

@Krathoon: Judgment was just a single example. I used it because it’s probably considered to be the worst game in the series. In terms of it being a spin off, I don’t think the terms “proper sequel” and “spin off” really apply to the Castlevania series anymore. The series has been all over the place in the last several years.

As far as Mirror of Fate goes, it takes place inbetween the two “proper” Lords of Shadow games explaining the history of the Belemonts in the Lords of Shadow universe. Basically Gabriel/Dracula is the first Belemont and his descendants are the ones fated to battle him. Mirror of Fate plays out across multiple time periods where you play as Trevor, his son Simon, and Alucard. Alucard also shows up in this game too.

If people don’t like the LoS (which is fine) then they should be happy to know that the series will be ending with LoS2, or at least that has been the plan since the first game. Mercury Steam wanted to tell the story of Dracula and his connection to the Belemonts, all of which they will be accomplishing within a trilogy of games that ends with LoS2. Then again I doubt people will be satisfied with whatever the next Castlevania series is starting after LoS2.

@SleepyDoughnut: Do you think Castlevania: Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate sounds way better? And if LoS2 is the last game in the LoS series what does it matter?

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Krathoon

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Edited By Krathoon

The problem with the previous series is that they started to get way too Bishōnen. It got really bad in Curse of Darkness and Judgment.

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orange_pork

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Edited By orange_pork

@chose: Castlevania didn't actually 'become' 3D. These are all just side games and spinoffs. The mainline Castlevania series is still 2D. The last one was Order of Ecclesia for the DS.

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Slixshot

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Edited By Slixshot

@PillClinton: The game was TOO. DAMN. LONG. (I read your post in the "the rent is too damn high" voice lol)

Personally, I can't wait for this game. I loved the first and have been awaiting this since it ended.

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Slixshot

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Edited By Slixshot

@Jost1: damn straight! So many people bitching that he sounds weird and they didn't like the first. Well then, don't play it and spend your money elsewhere.

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JordanaRama

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Edited By JordanaRama

I find myself pumped for this, but I was also pumped for the first one and it just turned out to be generic. Maybe I'm just holding out hope again this time around. Either way, the setting is neat enough. Could be something.

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devitiffany

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Edited By devitiffany

@PillClinton said:

This is... kinda silly. Liked the first one well enough, though (but c'mon guys, it was just too damn long), so I'll definitely play this at some point.

I disagree, it's one of the few games who's length actually felt worth the money. More games released should be of that length.

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

Get that guy a shirt and I am sure he will be much more cheerful.

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Mezmero

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Edited By Mezmero

Eh I don't know how to feel about this game. I genuinely enjoyed some of the story and art direction in the first Lords of Shadows game but I could not stand playing it. The game play was just not fun and the level design was very poor. I also thought the celebrity voices were a complete waste of money though we've been getting a lot of that this year. I love Patrick Stewart but he did a bad job in the first game. He should stick to TV and theatre.

The ending in part 1 certainly left me wanting for a resolution to this alternate timeline but I not so sure about the direction on this one. Castlevania should always be about killing Dracula not being him though the aspect certainly sounds bad ass. It'll be cool if they explore the different factions of vampire hunters that have stalked him through the years like the Belmonts, Ecclesian Order, Mages, and Dunpeals like Alucard. This premise seems to imply that the Belmonts bloodline just stopped in its tracks all of the sudden. And are the Lords of Shadow even going to be in this sequel? I mean it's in the name but I took care of them in the first game.

If I were to write a new Castelvania it would be the origin of the Belmonts becoming hunters. The weapons they use and the way they fight suggest that they were once a circus performing family but then something happened to push them into fighting back against the darkness with all they're unique skills. I'd really like to explore the concept of turning lion taming, axe juggling, knife throwing, and acrobatics into a lethal martial art capable of taking down the children of the night.

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Edited By turboman
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gamefreak9

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Edited By gamefreak9

wait... so u play dracula in this game?

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49th

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Edited By 49th

Holy shit, Gabriel becomes Dracula. That is actually kind of awesome. I didn't really care for the first game and haven't bothered playing much of it but maybe I should now.

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zityz

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Edited By zityz

Never played the first one ( I personally tend to stay away from the 3D castlevanias ) but I know the end. The 2nd one here just makes me more confused. So Gabriel is the first Belmont who becomes Dracula which makes sense as to How the Belmonts are the main Vampire Hunters to banish Draucla since buddy guy here is related. Now does this mean Gabriel had Leon before hand? and then Married Lisa as Dracula and popped out baby alucard there afterwords?

Unless Leon was the Brother of Gabriel which won't make sense I don't understand how Trevor and Alucard can be within the same time period.

Mind boggled.

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porterpj

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Edited By porterpj

@TurboMan: niiiiice

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sonicrift

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Edited By sonicrift

@chose said:

Metroid should have stayed 2D.

Have you not been taking your meds?

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saoakden

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Edited By saoakden

Looks sweet.

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Charlee_CoCo

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Edited By Charlee_CoCo

@Mezmero: Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate, which is the upcoming 3DS game, is set in between LoS1 and LoS2. It tells the story of the Belemont clan and their struggle against Dracula through the years. You play as Trevor, Simon, and Alucard in the game. Basically it's the game you want, where as the two proper games are meant to be different.

Also no one series should ever constantly be about the exact same thing all the time. It's good to change things up every once and awhile, which was the whole point of the LoS series. It's supposed to be different.

@zityz: These games aren't set in the same universe as the existing game. The characters and timelines that exist within in them are completely different from the original "canon" timeline/games. For example in Mirror of Fate you play as Trevor, then his son Simon, and finally Alucard who a number of Castlvania fans are speculating is actually a reborn/vampire Trevor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVruugAF31o - Mirror of Fate Extended Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k47jlhGcir0 - Trevor's Story Trailer

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Mezmero

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Edited By Mezmero

@Charlee_CoCo: You're right about the series not being about that one thing and pretty much none of the proper 3D games featured Dracula as the big bad. Case in point every single one of those games are poor to middling quality wise, especially in the narratives so maybe telling a story truer to the back drop of the classic 2D games in the series would be better at drawing back fans of those games. If anything the first Lords of Shadow proved to me that there can be a serviceable story in the Gothic fantasy setting of Castlevania. I just wish the game was better. The 3DS game you mentioned sounds more interesting. Guess I just need to get a 3DS first.

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vinsanityv22

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Edited By vinsanityv22

I'm pumped for this! LoS1 was really ambitious and, surprisingly (MercurySteam's track record ain't super hot), executed on most of it. To this day, I contend that it's the - by far - the prettiest game available on current gen consoles. A great mix of technical accomplishment and, more importantly, amazing art. Art that marries Castlevania's Symphony-era Romantic gothic look with the old school games' horror movie inspirations PERFECTLY. As a game, it's as good as God of War, with a ton more variety in it's campaign and much better storytelling... although, honestly, it's probably TOO long. It shouldn't take you a few hours to see your first vampire, yeah?

So I'm totally stoked for this! Especially since they did some brash, bold stuff at the end of that game. Turning the hero into the villain, making a Belmont into Dracula, and teasing that the story will span a few centuries -- all completely new for the series. Plus, between what's been revealed for Mirror of Fate and also the first teaser for LoS2, we can count on Alucard showing up eventually. That'll be cool.

People may be buzzing over Metal Gear V: Phantom Pain or whatever right now, but for my money, Lords of Shadow 2 is easily the most exciting Konami's got going right now. Unless they unveil a new Zone of the Enders finally, it'll probably stay that way.

@DickSocrates said:

My heart sank so far it dropped out of my arse when I saw the modern setting. I detested that in Darksiders, feels really stupid to me for some reason. And it looks like another generic New York alike too. I seriously never want to go back to New York in a another video game for the rest of my entire bloody life. Manhattan is one of the least visually interesting cities in the world.

I think you can safely count on that setting just being a part of the game's campaign, not the whole thing. They're really setting it up to be a story that spans ages, or hops between the past and present at least.

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Valle

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Edited By Valle

Oho noes, modern era shittyness. Im out.

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JCGamer

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Edited By JCGamer

This game looks kind of awesome. I enjoyed the first one and love the Castlevania series. While the first Lords of Shadow had it's issues, I'm looking forward to this one. Would love it if Konami release the older games either on PSN or the 3DS shop though for some portable goodness.

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joelalfaro

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Edited By joelalfaro

That is a great logo!

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godzilla_sushi

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Edited By godzilla_sushi

This trailer sucked, blood.

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Edited By Stepside

@MooseyMcMan said:

Radical! I really loved the first one, and I'm glad they're really going into the Dracula thing with this one.

As did I. I know it didn't get the best reviews, but I absolutely adored the first game. Stoked!

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MisterMouse

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Edited By MisterMouse

glad they get another chance at this...

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FreakGirl

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Edited By FreakGirl

Awesome trailer! A must have for a vampire fan like myself :D

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demontrace

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Edited By demontrace

I'm having a vision of the 3rd game, where you play a good guy hunting down the guy you played in the 2nd game...

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coresnake

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Edited By coresnake

LoS blows and shouldn't even be a Castlevania game, you KNOW they just shoehorned the plot into a generic action adventure game.

Itagaki is rolling in his coffin :(

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buzz_clik

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Edited By buzz_clik

Loved the first game, loved the OH SNAPZ twist coda, very interested in this.

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Ersanven

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Edited By Ersanven

I was very skeptical of the first one and didn't play it but I'm instantly sold on this one.

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cotain

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Edited By cotain

@demontrace said:

I'm having a vision of the 3rd game, where you play a good guy hunting down the guy you played in the 2nd game...

totally agree.