When designing Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, I often looked back at the original Castlevania for inspiration. I would remember the feelings I had as I traversed the dark, gloomy landscape and recall the wonderful music that would create an atmosphere quite unlike any other game of the time.
For me, Castlevania was always about lone warrior battling supernatural creatures with a whip. This was the core idea that when you strip away all the layers, is what remains true for the series even now. Of course, back then, games were far simpler and story lines, characters, and the rest were often secondary to the all-important gameplay.
Over the years, games have become more sophisticated and players have wanted deeper experiences and more far-reaching gameplay mechanics. Expectations for memorable characters and realistic environments often mean it’s much more difficult to find the core of a game and truly understand where something is coming from.
We decided early on that we would boil down that core idea and add layers on top but this time, we would add new layers along with some of the old. We knew we wanted Castlevania: Lords of Shadow to be about the Belmonts. We knew the main hero had to have a whip and not just any whip but a chain whip, just like the Belmonts of old. We knew series staples like daggers and holy water had to be in, too.
We knew that we had to have brooding and dark environments. Underground caves, dank swamps, sewers, catacombs and not just be set in a castle. Just like the old games! We knew we would need a forbidding castle with clock towers, dining halls, libraries and the like to explore but we also wanted to give players cunning puzzles and items to find to make exploring much more interesting.
We wanted old characters to be in our universe, but somehow different. Somehow not what you would expect, but enough for you to see and feel the character anew. So when people say to me, this game doesn’t look like Castlevania… I simply reply, you need to look harder and deeper, because inside this game is the Castlevania you know and love. And yet it is new, reborn. You just have to look with better eyes!
Gabriel Belmont is a lone warrior battling supernatural creatures with a whip. He is trying to bring back his dead wife to the world of the living. We have candles for you to whip, we have vampires, bats, zombies, werewolves, wargs. In fact, over 45 different enemies populate the game.
We have secondary weapons such as daggers and holy water. We have characters who some of you will recognize. We have a wonderful score that includes memorable Castlevania themes here and there that will give fans chills. But most of all, we have an open invitation to those of you who have never sampled the delights of Castlevania before.
The door is open and we want to welcome you in. Its going to be 20 hours of challenges, but you will be rewarded handsomely with a story that will deliver an epic re-imagining of the series for everyone to enjoy, not just fans.
Won’t you come in? The fire is raging and the master and his servants are home, waiting to give you a welcome you won’t soon forget!
Until next time…
Every game is a “ripoff” in one way or another, unless it’s pong or something. Call of duty is a rip off from and older FPS just to name one example. Any game created that sold well is going to have future games that copy it in some form. God of War (which I love) is in some ways a clone of previous hack n slash. So if you liked God of Wars play style and you think Castlevania is a clone then you will probably like this game as well, I know I am looking forward to it. So stop stating the obvious thing that everyone else thinks it’s just lazy. Come up with your own opinion, use some thought, and give it some substance.
Sorry for the rant I just read the same old it’s a rip off thing way too much now.
Dave, you’re the man. How did you know I want a kick ass Castlevania game like this.
@IrishPete333~ well said!
Dear David Cox,
Please forgive the earlier ignorant comment of a certain individual who lacks any intelligence or respect for you and your talented team. You guys, and many others in the game industry, deserve a round of applause and a pat on the back for putting your artistry to work. Bravo to that.
On another note, I am very excited for the October 5th release date of Lords of Shadow. I really appreciate the fact that you all put forth the effort to create a long and beefy campaign for people to enjoy. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of my favorite games of all time and thank you for spearheading this effort to bring the franchise into the limelight it deserves.
Peace
the screenshots look amazing! good work all. I’m looking forward to the release.
I have been waiting for this game for a long time. I remember when I saw the very first Lords of Shadow teaser trailer, and I thought, “this looks like the spiritual successor to Castlevania.” Imagine my excitement when they revealed it was, in fact, a Castlevania game! Pre-ordered and purchasing day one.
Thank you PhillyTheCat!
WOW!!!! Am I the only one who thinks that first picture is like God of War 3?
the Monster is a combination of Gaia and the Cyclops no?
Before the do gooders get on my case, My post isn’t a “rip off” one. I’m just stating you can definitely see the influences on the team. So everybody relax.
You had me at “with a whip.”
I so agree with #50 Kchow23. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I remember watching that interview. He seemed very very honest and 1 of the rare ppl that don’t have an exaggerated wide smile on their face just because they”re in front of the camera.
Hello Dave and the team at MercurySteam!
Let me first say, thank you for taking time out and enlightening us on the NEW Castlevania. Also, it sounds like you really understand Castlevania, especially since you played them. I got a few questions though.
1. Whats your favorite Castlevania? ( GameBoys not included please)
2. Will there be any replayability factor such as, I dont know, an upside down castle?
3. Are there plans for DLC like for extra levels, please?
4. Finally, could you tell me how and why Hideo Kojima got involved and what is his favorite Castlevania?
Once again thank you and everything looks and sounds great, cant wait!
preordered when it first became available…one question are the rumors true that the USA will be seeing a demo for this on the 23rd of sept? europe already has it for plus members today…wheres my demo?
I must say this game is looks very good..GOD OF WAR is always going to be my favorite though..because its just has the perfect amount of GORE that i cant live without.As for Castlevania ..ive never played more than 3o minutes of it..the 2D side scroller wip lashing just wasnt my thing but now that its all 3D im willling to try it out.Its not going to be a DAY 1 buy for me..because im not sure if i will like it but im sure a DEMO would be able to convince me otherwise :)
I am insanely Psyched for Lords of Shadow. To those who think this is a GOW ripoff, just think of this: Castlevania has had Whip weilding characters since the 1980s. Also, I could say that GOW is a Semi-Ripoff of Devil May Cry and Castlevania combined despite how good that game is. In fact, Castlevania is home to the original whip weilding Bad @$$ Simon Belmont.
With that said, I have been playing Symphony of the Night for the past few days is preparation of the launch. I know that game is 2D but every time around Halloween, I have to get in my Castlevania fix and watch Vampire Hunter D. Also, Lament of Innocence and Curse of Darkness were actually good and very atmospheric games. Its sad to see that Iga is not working on Lords of Shadow but if any person could make the game better, I believe Hideo Kojima can. He tried his hand at vampire games with Boktai, Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django and Lunar Knights. He has some unique ideas and it will be nice to see how his thoughts and input translates into Castlevnia.
Anyway, I can’t wait for the release of Lords of Shadow. I’ll be sure to pick it up on October 5th. And Dave, please do us the kindest of favors and get us some Playstation Home Content for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.
One thing that bugged me after watching a trailer was the fact that even while doing a climbing section the hud was in full display, and that is a rather massive hud from what I’ve seen. This close to release there’s only so much that can be done, but I really hope that was early footage and that there is a fading hud in the game. I don’t play next gen games in HD so I can see what a pretty hud you’ve designed. Really, it was huge and obtrusive, taking up all four corners of the screen is what I would call excessive screen real estate for a hud.
Got it preordered. Can’t wait for this game!!! Been waiting patiently for it since it was first revealed. It looks like it’s going to be epic!
I’m a little bummed out that the TGS trailer spoiled so much for me though. I knew I shouldn’t have watched it!!!
Looks epic
Dave Cox said: “We knew the main hero had to have a whip and not just any whip but a chain whip, just like the Belmonts of old.” Personally, I liked the almighty leather vampire killer whip, add the flames and I’m good ~,o
I’ve had the special-edition on pre-order since it was first announced. Day 1 purchase.
As for being a rip-off, well, if you really want to be uptight about it – this game is blatant rip-off of Pac Man because Gabriel is going to be killing some ghosts. And Pac Man did that first. Better run for the hills Ma Baker! Who the **** cares. :)
It looks cool but I have no interest in it unless it has all the RPG elements of Symphony of the Night.
Honestly just remake Symphony of the Night.
WOOT!!! COLLECTORS EDITION!!!!
If you’re serious about the 20 hours of challenges, I will buy it.
My first experience with Castlevania was not until Symphony Of The Night was released on the PSN, so im pretty new to the series.
I am excited about this game though i’m also worried it might be too challenging for me to actually have fun, as other Castlevania titles had been after playing SOTN. I hope there will be a demo out soon so i can try it out.
o_o God Of Ware + Dantes Inferno = Lords Of Shadow
I didn’t realize that this game came out so soon, I was just used to thinking that its just later this year.
The 3d castlevanias on the PS2 were… okay, but I think ripping off God of War is what the series needed to do a 3d game right, I hope it works out and you don’t butcher it like Dante’s Inferno did!
Enough with the teasing! Fast Forward the clock to October 5th! Make these 11 days just zoom right by. The Belmonts have that power right? If not then why not. :)
Can’t wait.
Castlevania fans huh??
I said my argument let’s just wait and see
Never called this game a rip off … I know it’s not … It’s probably a well though out game… But make a hack n slash game and sticking a Final Fantasy on the title and including a Final Fantasy Plot… Doesn’t make it final fantasy IMO
But yeah hope Castlevania can get the build up it needs ..Praise the lord please
Looks great, but not too much of an RPG fan. I guess I will base it off of the reviews with this one. :)
As a European PSN+ user I’ve played the demo (too short!) and can say the following things about it:
1) It’s dark. It’s horror.
2) Cinematics are full of drama. Nothing less expected when you know Kojima Productions helped create this game.
3) Gabriel Belmont is just as I remember my Castlevania character to be.
4) Fighting gameplay CAN NOT i repeat: CAN NOT be compared to GoW. If anything, it’s better compared to Bayonetta seeing that there are way more variations and possibilities in the fighting system than with GoW (except for GoW3 I’ve played through all the other GoW games, including the PSP version; check my PSN if you don’t believe me: Pt. trophies for Gow Collection).
5) Gameplay feels really smooth and intuitive.
6) Sir Patrick Steward is narrating!!! WHOOHOO! His voice is awesome!
I hope that Pumpkin is an unlockable playable character in this game. He was da shizzle in Lament of Innocence. Ya can’t beat a miniature dude in a pumpkin head mask with a liquorice whip.
Vu_Prime~ no doubt, that pumpkin was great! did you play Curse of Darkness…you can have him as a familiar. I would love to see Alucard available, perhaps by finishing the game, a code is gifted to the player like they did with Richter for SOTN.
Agreed PhillyTheCat! Really any unlockable character from previous games would be great. Oh and yeah I did finish up Curse of Darkness. Pumpkin was a little underpowered in that game from the start and I didn’t have the drive to max out his levels. I did evolve him to all versions though. That was cool.
does it have Japanese audio option????