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Castlevania: Lords of Shadow; It's out! Mind ye spoilers!
KONAMI ANNOUNCES CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW
06.04.09
Kojima Productions and Mercury Steam take the Castlevania series in a bold, new direction delivering an epic fantasy adventure!
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., has used the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) event in Los Angeles to premiere the first footage of a brand new Castlevania title: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. Developed by Madrid-based Mercury Steam, the game also marks a 'dream' development collaboration with Konami's lauded Kojima Productions studio, led by Hideo Kojima.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadowwill be released in 2010 for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and will open a new era for the Castlevania mythology. Konami has worked to take the long-running series in brave new directions with a fresh and radical re-imagining, and the result is an epic tale of love and loss that befits the series.
Shown previously as Lords of Shadow in summer 2008 with a short teaser, Konami has kept under wraps its intention to radically take the Castlevania myth in a bold new direction until now. Konami has used E3 to showcase what it considers one of its most ambitious and innovative titles to date and reveal how it will present Castlevania to a wider audience of players hungry for genre-defining entertainment.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow takes place at the end of days. The Earth's alliance with the Heavens has been threatened by a dark and malevolent force - the mysterious Lords of Shadow - darkness reins the world. Across this shattered land, the souls of the dead wander unable to find peace, whilst creatures of evil roam free wreaking chaos and death upon the living.
Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny - and hopefully salvation for the world... but at what cost?
Thus, Gabriel must travel the destroyed world, defeating the evil tyrants in order to use their powers to bring balance back to the world. Armed with the versatile Combat Cross™ - the world's last hope must encounter the three factions of the Lords of Shadow and end their unholy rule.
Mercury Steam has created a rich, open game world that traverses snowy mountain ranges, Gothic castles, and undead-strewn wastelands in a devastated Southern Europe during the Middle Ages. The production is being overseen by the European Product Planning office with advice and support from Kojima Productions. This multi-cultural dream collaboration will move the Castlevania brand to a whole new level, with rich storytelling, innovative gameplay and state-of-the-art technical elements brought together to form a revolutionary new direction for a modern 3D fantasy action epic.
Konami is premiering Castlevania: Lords of Shadow with a stunning trailer detailing the expansive nature of the game and its unique combat elements. It will also introduce the game's stunning voice acting cast, with Gabriel voiced by Robert Carlyle (28 Weeks Later, Trainspotting, The Full Monty), and Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: Next Generation) as the mysterious Zobek. Natasha McElhone (The Other Boleyn Girl, Californication, The Truman Show) and Jason Isaacs (Black Hawk Down, The Patriot, Harry Potter series) round off the talent.
"Castlevania: Lords of Shadow will take the Castlevania series into brave, uncharted territories, and is a breath-taking adventure that boasts stunning aesthetics, deep and challenging game play, and a truly inspirational voice cast to deliver the games dramatic depth", commented Dave Cox, Producer on the title and Head of Product Planning for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. "We are also delighted to be working with Kojima Productions who have supported the development of the game and our intended goals with their keen vision and expertise," he added. "This is a world's first! A dream team up between a western development studio and one of Japan's most revered and innovative creators".
"We at Mercury Steam are pushing the envelope of today's technology. Our goal is to create an incredible piece that will answer many people's hopes and desires of what a next generation Castlevania game should be," said Enric Alvarez, Studio Head at Mercury Steam.
"Kojima Productions had learned the differences of western development teams and Japanese studios" added Ken Imaizumi, Senior Producer of Kojima Productions. "Mercury Steam is definitely one of the most talented studios in the world. We quickly agreed that we should work together and exchange ideas and knowhow across the board. We have full trust that the next generation Castlevania experience will deliver a high quality intense experience worthy of the Kojima Productions name and we are proud that this title will mark a new global direction for Konami as a company dedicated to breaking new ground in digital entertainment."
They're actually getting Begbie from Trainspotting to be the hero in this?
Doss cunts. If they cannae fuckin well get a real herooic type ta dae it they shouldnae fuckin well dae it at aw. Ah'm gaunnae be expectin fir this main character type to pittin a fuckin beer gless in the face ay the fuckin zombies an aw that shite. Then at the end he chibs they Patrick Stewart gadge jist fir fuckin well lookin at him they wrong wey.
Seriously, the acting cast looks good, but TES games have taught me that isn't always a good thing. I hope they don't blow their load on acting talent and then not have enough money to actually make a good game. I buy just about anything Castlevania, though, so I'll be willing to give this the benefit of the doubt unless the reviews are just horrible.
It's kinda amusing how this was an entirely another game last year when revealed and then they decided to stick the Castlevania name on it and put some proper people at the top to make sure it would come out very good.
Also:
Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny - and hopefully salvation for the world... but at what cost?
This would be terrible. Castlevania is already skating a thin line with it's ridiculous stories but people tolerate them because their short. You kill Dracula, his castle falls down, the main character and friends have a few words outside of the rubble, credits. That's Castlevania.
Kojima might not be able to resist a ten minute intro explaining why we should fear nukes more than Dracula.
This would be terrible. Castlevania is already skating a thin line with it's ridiculous stories but people tolerate them because their short. You kill Dracula, his castle falls down, the main character and friends have a few words outside of the rubble, credits. That's Castlevania.
Kojima might not be able to resist a ten minute intro explaining why we should fear nukes more than Dracula.
Wow, Kojima Productions is only lending "advice and support," whereas Mercury Steam is doing the actual development.
You'd think from all the press info that Kojima Productions was the actual developer behind this. But they're not...
..but it makes for juicier headlines! So what better way to hype a game with a "who are they?" developer than by having a famous developer provide them "advice" and then slap their name all over the press for the game!
What I want to know is why everybody's comparing it to God of War, when Devil May Cry pretty much invented the "Xtreme Action" genre. Is there something particular about the trailer that is unique to God of War, but not DMC?
What I want to know is why everybody's comparing it to God of War, when Devil May Cry pretty much invented the "Xtreme Action" genre. Is there something particular about the trailer that is unique to God of War, but not DMC?
The whip is easier to compare to GoW's chain blades than DMC's more up-close weaponry.
It's kinda amusing how this was an entirely another game last year when revealed and then they decided to stick the Castlevania name on it and put some proper people at the top to make sure it would come out very good.
Also:
Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny - and hopefully salvation for the world... but at what cost?
Yeah Gabriel is so Dracula in the making.
No, Mathias was Dracula in the making.
I didnt see the first announcement last year, so this kind of came out of no where for me. Looks great though, will be keeping tabs on it for sure.
It's kinda amusing how this was an entirely another game last year when revealed and then they decided to stick the Castlevania name on it and put some proper people at the top to make sure it would come out very good.
Also:
Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny - and hopefully salvation for the world... but at what cost?
Yeah Gabriel is so Dracula in the making.
No, Mathias was Dracula in the making.
I didnt see the first announcement last year, so this kind of came out of no where for me. Looks great though, will be keeping tabs on it for sure.
Yes Mathias was Dracula in the old continuity, this appears to be an entire new one most likely, a new start, a fresh reboot.
So yes that means Gabriel likely becomes the new lord of darkness, aka Dracula himself.
Yes Mathias was Dracula in the old continuity, this appears to be an entire new one most likely, a new start, a fresh reboot.
So yes that means Gabriel likely becomes the new lord of darkness, aka Dracula himself.
The only thing about it is that it's almost too obvious. Dracula being a tragic, romantic figure is a pretty common theme even outside the CV universe, and within it we saw it as early as CV3 if I remember correctly.
Yes Mathias was Dracula in the old continuity, this appears to be an entire new one most likely, a new start, a fresh reboot.
So yes that means Gabriel likely becomes the new lord of darkness, aka Dracula himself.
The only thing about it is that it's almost too obvious. Dracula being a tragic, romantic figure is a pretty common theme even outside the CV universe, and within it we saw it as early as CV3 if I remember correctly.
There could be a twist to the entire story, it wouldn't surprise me. But as you said Dracula being a tragic romantic figure is a common aspect of the story and Gabriel is marching to the beat of that drum perfectly from what we know, it all adds up. Could it go differently? Of course. They could go in an entirely new direction or do something much differnetly.
Who knows......if his lady love is trapped in a state between life and dead maybe she becomes the first Lady Dracula.
What I want to know is why everybody's comparing it to God of War, when Devil May Cry pretty much invented the "Xtreme Action" genre. Is there something particular about the trailer that is unique to God of War, but not DMC?
The whip is easier to compare to GoW's chain blades than DMC's more up-close weaponry.
My sentiment is...meh?
Maybe it's my distaste for "MTV angsty" characters like Kratos, but I don't see anything that couldn't be at least as accurately described as DMC-like, or even Prince of Persia-like.
A lot of my enjoyment of this game will be how much Prince of Persia bouncing around we get to do in gameplay, compared to how much of that was just cutscenes.
It's kinda amusing how this was an entirely another game last year when revealed and then they decided to stick the Castlevania name on it and put some proper people at the top to make sure it would come out very good.
Also:
Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realizes the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny - and hopefully salvation for the world... but at what cost?
Haven't been following the thread (had a skim) but where does Iga fit in the picture? Involved at all? Wouldn't he be annoyed if Konami just handed off CV to someone else?
Goddammit, Vlad Tepes is Dracula and Adrian is Alucard. And they're awesome. Why are they changing it?
The probably feel they've done all they can.
In other words they ran out of years and just can't slot in another game that doesn't yet again start with "Dracula's 100 year slumber has been interrupted!".
Haven't been following the thread (had a skim) but where does Iga fit in the picture? Involved at all? Wouldn't he be annoyed if Konami just handed off CV to someone else?
I'm sure that if he ends up being annoyed at it, then the next CV he does he'll just say that it not in canon and ignore it.
R.I.P Sonia Belmont.
The Wolfman on
"The sausage of Green Earth explodes with flavor like the cannon of culinary delight."
Iga doesn't seem to have anything to do with this project. I wonder if he's been completely removed from Castlevania games in general? I imagine he's been retired from doing any 3D games after the last few.
Goddammit, Vlad Tepes is Dracula and Adrian is Alucard. And they're awesome. Why are they changing it?
The probably feel they've done all they can.
In other words they ran out of years and just can't slot in another game that doesn't yet again start with "Dracula's 100 year slumber has been interrupted!".
(
Save for, you know, Julius Belmont's battle against Dracula in 1999.
If you got the American preorder bonus with Portrait of Ruin, you got an illustrated timeline of when all the Castlevania games took place. I noticed two grammar errors, though, so that makes it feel less official.
If you got the American preorder bonus with Portrait of Ruin, you got an illustrated timeline of when all the Castlevania games took place. I noticed two grammar errors, though, so that makes it feel less official.
I had that, it was awesome.
Then when I went off and came back home it was gone, as was the case and stylus.
Totally ticked me off.
As for Iga, yeah he has nothing to do with this, so where he stands for the rest of the franchise? No clue.
I'm going to guess he'll be doing mainly the portable versions.
Goddammit, Vlad Tepes is Dracula and Adrian is Alucard. And they're awesome. Why are they changing it?
The probably feel they've done all they can.
In other words they ran out of years and just can't slot in another game that doesn't yet again start with "Dracula's 100 year slumber has been interrupted!".
Well they still have the future to look at. And I guess there's the 400 years or whatever where Dracula goes into hiding before showing up for the first real Belmont fight (Trevor, Castlevania 3). Not to mention they still have to cover the 1999 events.
I expect this to be slotted into that 400 year timespan. It may not have to be directly related to the Belmonts or Dracula. It may be establishing something else people have overlooked from what's considered canon in the series. Another important character, or object, etc.
Henroid on
0
HenroidMexican kicked from Immigration ThreadCentrism is Racism :3Registered Userregular
edited June 2009
So the news of this game inspired me to start playing a bunch of different Castlevanias. I just got my ass kicked by Death in PoR. I forgot how hard he is in that one.
Goddammit, Vlad Tepes is Dracula and Adrian is Alucard. And they're awesome. Why are they changing it?
The probably feel they've done all they can.
In other words they ran out of years and just can't slot in another game that doesn't yet again start with "Dracula's 100 year slumber has been interrupted!".
(
Save for, you know, Julius Belmont's battle against Dracula in 1999.
I really hope we get to see this eventually, since apparently Dracula actually died for real then.
So the news of this game inspired me to start playing a bunch of different Castlevanias. I just got my ass kicked by Death in PoR. I forgot how hard he is in that one.
I'm tempted to go back and play Lament of Innocence for some reason.
I never did get the good ending in PoR, and I've really slacked off with Order of Ecclesia.
Posts
After talking to a friend, I think this game left the biggest impression on me from E3. As for best news, I haven't decided yet.
http://www.konami.com/news/article52.php
My Backloggery
Doss cunts. If they cannae fuckin well get a real herooic type ta dae it they shouldnae fuckin well dae it at aw. Ah'm gaunnae be expectin fir this main character type to pittin a fuckin beer gless in the face ay the fuckin zombies an aw that shite. Then at the end he chibs they Patrick Stewart gadge jist fir fuckin well lookin at him they wrong wey.
Seriously, the acting cast looks good, but TES games have taught me that isn't always a good thing. I hope they don't blow their load on acting talent and then not have enough money to actually make a good game. I buy just about anything Castlevania, though, so I'll be willing to give this the benefit of the doubt unless the reviews are just horrible.
Also:
Yeah Gabriel is so Dracula in the making.
What if Dracula WAS a nuke?
Are...are you Kojima? Hideo, is that you?
You'd think from all the press info that Kojima Productions was the actual developer behind this. But they're not...
..but it makes for juicier headlines! So what better way to hype a game with a "who are they?" developer than by having a famous developer provide them "advice" and then slap their name all over the press for the game!
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
PS360
The whip is easier to compare to GoW's chain blades than DMC's more up-close weaponry.
No, Mathias was Dracula in the making.
I didnt see the first announcement last year, so this kind of came out of no where for me. Looks great though, will be keeping tabs on it for sure.
Yes Mathias was Dracula in the old continuity, this appears to be an entire new one most likely, a new start, a fresh reboot.
So yes that means Gabriel likely becomes the new lord of darkness, aka Dracula himself.
There could be a twist to the entire story, it wouldn't surprise me. But as you said Dracula being a tragic romantic figure is a common aspect of the story and Gabriel is marching to the beat of that drum perfectly from what we know, it all adds up. Could it go differently? Of course. They could go in an entirely new direction or do something much differnetly.
Who knows......if his lady love is trapped in a state between life and dead maybe she becomes the first Lady Dracula.
My sentiment is...meh?
Maybe it's my distaste for "MTV angsty" characters like Kratos, but I don't see anything that couldn't be at least as accurately described as DMC-like, or even Prince of Persia-like.
A lot of my enjoyment of this game will be how much Prince of Persia bouncing around we get to do in gameplay, compared to how much of that was just cutscenes.
I bet you he's Belmont in the making.
In before the "LOLZ CONTINUITY SUCKS". But yeah, it did.
As stated already yeah it did but looks like they want to a clean break and this is their way of doing that.
Who knows, what will happen, can only wait and see.
The probably feel they've done all they can.
In other words they ran out of years and just can't slot in another game that doesn't yet again start with "Dracula's 100 year slumber has been interrupted!".
I'm sure that if he ends up being annoyed at it, then the next CV he does he'll just say that it not in canon and ignore it.
R.I.P Sonia Belmont.
My Backloggery
Save for, you know, Julius Belmont's battle against Dracula in 1999.
I had that, it was awesome.
Then when I went off and came back home it was gone, as was the case and stylus.
Totally ticked me off.
As for Iga, yeah he has nothing to do with this, so where he stands for the rest of the franchise? No clue.
I'm going to guess he'll be doing mainly the portable versions.
Then I wiki'd it and found out it has a European dev. No surprise there.
You mean a Konami made Castlevania game?
EDIT: Ah curses, you edited your post in time. Now I look like a fool!
For the record, he said "Capcom made castlevania game" before he fixed it.
Well they still have the future to look at. And I guess there's the 400 years or whatever where Dracula goes into hiding before showing up for the first real Belmont fight (Trevor, Castlevania 3). Not to mention they still have to cover the 1999 events.
I expect this to be slotted into that 400 year timespan. It may not have to be directly related to the Belmonts or Dracula. It may be establishing something else people have overlooked from what's considered canon in the series. Another important character, or object, etc.
But honestly, the only ones I really like are II and Symphony of the Night.
I really hope we get to see this eventually, since apparently Dracula actually died for real then.
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
360
Bayonetta
Fable 3
DS
FF: 4 heroes of light
I'm tempted to go back and play Lament of Innocence for some reason.
I never did get the good ending in PoR, and I've really slacked off with Order of Ecclesia.
My Backloggery
PSN: SAW776