Really, this game is just super duper. Let's talk about what makes it super duper, and also why I like it so much.
DISCLAIMER: I am only in Chapter 8, and would prefer not to have the story spoiled for me (though I have a very good idea of where this is going). If you have to post spoilers in this topic, refer to this post: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/post.php?id=3674445 And mark your spoilers!
Now, let's talk.
The first thing that makes Lords of Shadow awesome is that it is a good, hard game. I've died a few times in it, which wasn't true in any other 3D Castlevania, or pretty much any other 3D beat-em-up released this year on Normal (even Bayonetta had me dying fewer times than this one). The enemies hit like Castlevania enemies, and even the base-level werewolves can knock you stupid if you aren't careful. This feels more like a traditional Castlevania than an Igavania, and that's a great change of pace!
Even these little bastards can hurt you.
The second thing that makes Lords of Shadow great is that the combat system differentiates itself from its peers. Everything feels slightly different in terms of base mechanics, yes, and I like the transition into aerial combos in this game better than most, but that's beside the point - the Focus system feeding your magic powers (which are usually the only way to heal, and therefore the only way to survive) means that you have to be willing to take great risks in combos while avoiding damage as much as possible. It creates a game environment where turtling is pointless (and often impossible, since most enemies have at least one unblockable attack), the action is fast, and you will howl in anguish whenever you take a hit.
The third thing is that this is a return to a Classicvania model, like I mentioned above, where the focus of the game is on the platforming and the action. Oh, there are RPG and exploration elements, of course, but they are ancillary to the point of the gameplay, which is good, difficult action and fun platforming with some hair-raising jumps. The game takes cues from God of War, Devil May Cry, ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, Prince of Persia - but the most important cues it takes is applying these concepts in the spirit of the Castlevanias that came before Symphony of the Night. In a sense, this is what Castlevania 64/Lament of Innocence/Curse of Darkness should have been.
Remember when giant spiders were creatures to fear? Now they are! Again!
One especially nice thing about Lords of Shadow is that it brings a distinctly European sensibility into the game world. Not just in terms of design and plot (it deals much more respectably with vampire lore than any previous Castlevania, and feels much more genuine to anyone who reads classic literature of the sort), but also in terms of tone. Lords of Shadow is a game that takes itself seriously but not too seriously, and every once in a while it will wink at the player to remind them "Hey, you know this is supposed to be a lot of fun, right? Here, have a double-take."
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a delight to play and I really like playing it as a result.
So let's talk about it.
