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How was Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2?
- Thread starter Lord British
- Start date
MagnaderAlpha
Member
The first LoS was so great, this one felt like a big letdown by comparison. I think it's one of the instances where "proposed leaked story details" that were fake happened to be MORE interesting than the story that we got in the actual game.
Konami's basically dead to their great game franchises. I doubt we'll get a LoS3(or any CV game that isn't a pachislot title).
Novum_Veritas
Member
LoS 2 bombed hard, 2nd game was ending LoS, so no 3rd game.
CenturionKei
Banned
Yeah the ending sucked compared to the one we were supposed to get. They chickened out.
What a disappointment. It still hurts.
LoS 1 was one of my top 3 games in the last generation and became one of my all-time favorites. The first LoS 2 trailer had me screaming; i watched it literally dozens of times. I expected it to become my favorite game of all time, but then it turned out like this. What a shame.
But yes, the art is insane, just like in the first game. Incredibly talented lot, their designers and artists.
LoS 1 was one of my top 3 games in the last generation and became one of my all-time favorites. The first LoS 2 trailer had me screaming; i watched it literally dozens of times. I expected it to become my favorite game of all time, but then it turned out like this. What a shame.
But yes, the art is insane, just like in the first game. Incredibly talented lot, their designers and artists.
Intheflorsh
Banned
I found it to be a pretty enjoyable mess, some cool visuals in the castle area and some decent boss fights.
Massive waste of potential with the modern day sections though.
Massive waste of potential with the modern day sections though.
dancrane212
Member
Was really excited for the game after loving the first LoS but hearing the toxic impressions I ended up returning my unopened copy and never went back to it. Such a shame.
Shmuely Bully
Member
Far better than most would admit, but far worse than it should have been.
It has some of the highest highs and lowest lows of any game I played last gen, but for what it's worth, most of the low points are right after the intro and it keeps improving throughout.
It has some of the highest highs and lowest lows of any game I played last gen, but for what it's worth, most of the low points are right after the intro and it keeps improving throughout.
BumblebeeCody
Member
Well it's more along the lines of, he's been around for several hundred years and the organisation is related to the original demons. Controlling society though? This isn't DmC.
Astral Dog
Member
The whole trilogy reeks of wasted potential imo, the first game had its qualities, but never felt like "Castlevania" that i love, was overly long with padding and awful bosses, boring characters and plot.even if the ending was interesting.
The 3DS game is not much better, but at least it was an ambitious portable game i guess.
Despite that i was always willing to give the games a chance, LoS 2 is..a bit messy, i enjoyed the combat system and bosses as its clear the game has an improved combat system and its just more fun to play, the plot was pure,nonsense but at least it was somewhat entertaining compared to the first one, that just was boring the art goes from hideous PS2 looking to the beautiful gothic world of Castlevania.
So, LoS 2 has the highest highs, but the lowest lows, compared to LoS 1
The 3DS game is not much better, but at least it was an ambitious portable game i guess.
Despite that i was always willing to give the games a chance, LoS 2 is..a bit messy, i enjoyed the combat system and bosses as its clear the game has an improved combat system and its just more fun to play, the plot was pure,nonsense but at least it was somewhat entertaining compared to the first one, that just was boring the art goes from hideous PS2 looking to the beautiful gothic world of Castlevania.
So, LoS 2 has the highest highs, but the lowest lows, compared to LoS 1
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
sad thread. I loved LoS1 
This is a lie and typical internet hyperbole. There are moments where the game looks like concept art in motion. It's gorgeous. Yah there are moments where the scale is whacked, but those are few. The amount I'd hate this game (and the rest of the Lords of Shadow series) gets is ridiculous. If you kind action games in the vein of dmc, Bayonetta, and God of War both of these are good choices.
BrightLightLava
Unconfirmed Member
Sounds interesting, can you elaborate?
CenturionKei
Banned
Back at the Castlevania Dungeon forum, there was this poster, who claimed to have a friend in Mercurystream. He would leak us accurate information (Mirror of Fate HD, the release date, pre order bonus, and other stuff), so we know he wasn't lying.
Gabriel was going to stake Alucard at the end of his fight against Satan, to kill the fallen angel (whom was possessing Alucard). Afterwords, the Vampire Killer would have shattered after killing a being like Satan with such power, and Gabe would be unable to kill himself. He would look up into the sky, and see Marie and Trevor's faces up in heaven, before he would fall to his knee's screaming and crying in pure agony, and the Brotherhood would capture Dracul, who wouldn't resit, and torture him for centuries brave heart style. Then it would end.
Damn, this is all sad to read. I absolutely loved the first one, one of my favorites from last gen and I am planning to play this one soon. How could they have messed it up so badly after brilliantly setting the foundations well with the first game? The first game was a dream match for Castlevania and 3D for me. Such a shame I'll be lowering my expectations big time before starting this.
I'll be lowering my expectations big time before starting this.The castle segments are excellent, anything involving the modern day plot is terrible. Also the leaf boss where you need to stealth and then you just fight him immediately after the stealth section even though you did the stealth section because he was "too powerful."
Which is a huge shame because the promise LoS1's ending had was amazing. LoS2 did some things right (the combat in LoS2 is really good) and the artstyle for the castle environments are amazing, but everything else... ugh.
Which is a huge shame because the promise LoS1's ending had was amazing. LoS2 did some things right (the combat in LoS2 is really good) and the artstyle for the castle environments are amazing, but everything else... ugh.
Definitely.
Son Of Sparda
Member
The game certainly had its fair share of problems but it is no where near as awful as GAF makes it out to be.
If you liked LoS1 chances are that you'll like LoS2 as well and since the game should be dirt cheap by now, I encourage anyone who is on the fence to give it a try. It's disappointing, but still pretty enjoyable.
If you liked LoS1 chances are that you'll like LoS2 as well and since the game should be dirt cheap by now, I encourage anyone who is on the fence to give it a try. It's disappointing, but still pretty enjoyable.
Herr Starr
Member
The game is far better than what disappointed fans may lead you to believe. The stealth sections are horrible and the modern sections are bland, but the rest of the game is at the same level of quality as the original, if not slightly above. The boss fights in particular are absolutely amazing, and there's a ton of them.
The story sadly doesn't resolve anything at all, which was disappointing. Doubly so since we are unlikely to see any more sequels to this version of the Castlevania universe. I really can't stand the storytelling and characterization in the classic Castlevanias, despite their superior gameplay, so I'm saddened that this might be the end of the version that feels like it was told by someone who actually understands story to, at the very least, a rudimentary degree.
The story sadly doesn't resolve anything at all, which was disappointing. Doubly so since we are unlikely to see any more sequels to this version of the Castlevania universe. I really can't stand the storytelling and characterization in the classic Castlevanias, despite their superior gameplay, so I'm saddened that this might be the end of the version that feels like it was told by someone who actually understands story to, at the very least, a rudimentary degree.
This is nonsense.
The most vocal detractors of 2 are a lot of the people who loved 1 the most and they where burned by it.
Just saying you'll like 2 (regardless of price) if you like 1 is nonsense even if that did happen to a few folk.
matrix-cat
Member
This game's combat would be good for an aspiring developer to play if they were wondering why you need invincibility frames in a dodge move. LoS2 doesn't have any, and Alucard's dodge is fairly fast and short, so basically every time a boss attacks you you have to dodge twice. Then, because you don't have a Stinger equivalent, you have to dodge back in twice so you can deal some damage again. Shit's terrible.
The Praiseworthy
Member
+1Incredible soundtrack
Beautiful locations:
It even has a good combat system that fits along side other spectacle fighters such as Bayonetta, DMC and Darksiders.
This... plus some good boss fights and amazing.. AMAZING art direction.
But too bad the stealth modern sections were there.
btw listen to that soundtrack... pure epicness.
Muskieratboi
Member
Pros:
- Great Combat system
- AMAZING soundtrack
- Great Atmosphere
- Feels like a proper Metroidvania rather than LOS1-'s depressing linearity
- Best DLC EVER (Alucard)
- Devs left a SHIT-TON of art and assets on the disc to look at, an amazing array of stuff hidden if you want to look
- I met an awesome friend at Konami through this game who remains one (a friend, not working at Konami I mean) to this day (you know who you are!)
Cons
- Terrible Pacing
- Ridiculous story (Even for Castlevania)
- Encounters are stupidly placed
- The sense of scale is at times LITERAL (Insert images of teeny tiny dracula)
- Utterly fucked up stealth sections (seriously, just cheat your way past it)
- NO CLASSIC CASTLEVANIA MUSIC
- Devs left Copyrighted placeholder material such as tracks from Deus Ex HR and Inception's soundtracks on the disc
All in all, a solid B. when you get into it, you love it., but there's a LOT of moments that just rip you out of the experience.
Buy it on PC, Buy it cheap, grab the DLC, fall in love with the good bits, use a trainer for the stealth sections. Have fun!
- Great Combat system
- AMAZING soundtrack
- Great Atmosphere
- Feels like a proper Metroidvania rather than LOS1-'s depressing linearity
- Best DLC EVER (Alucard)
- Devs left a SHIT-TON of art and assets on the disc to look at, an amazing array of stuff hidden if you want to look
- I met an awesome friend at Konami through this game who remains one (a friend, not working at Konami I mean) to this day (you know who you are!)
Cons
- Terrible Pacing
- Ridiculous story (Even for Castlevania)
- Encounters are stupidly placed
- The sense of scale is at times LITERAL (Insert images of teeny tiny dracula)
- Utterly fucked up stealth sections (seriously, just cheat your way past it)
- NO CLASSIC CASTLEVANIA MUSIC
- Devs left Copyrighted placeholder material such as tracks from Deus Ex HR and Inception's soundtracks on the disc
All in all, a solid B. when you get into it, you love it., but there's a LOT of moments that just rip you out of the experience.
Buy it on PC, Buy it cheap, grab the DLC, fall in love with the good bits, use a trainer for the stealth sections. Have fun!
Eudaemonium
Member
As others have said, the combat is really the only area that it improves on the first game. Some of the environments are great, but it lacks the overall feeling that LoS1 had.
The game has a number of massive flaws, though, which are impossible to overlook. Most of them have been discussed above. The one that really bothered me, though, was its bizarre tonal inconsistency regarding Dracula. Essentially, it tries to portray him as both a monster and a sympathetic character, and falls flat on its face in the process.
Also, losing the chapter structure meant you didn't get Zobek's hammy chapter introductions, which was far and away the best part of LoS1.
The game has a number of massive flaws, though, which are impossible to overlook. Most of them have been discussed above. The one that really bothered me, though, was its bizarre tonal inconsistency regarding Dracula. Essentially, it tries to portray him as both a monster and a sympathetic character, and falls flat on its face in the process.
Also, losing the chapter structure meant you didn't get Zobek's hammy chapter introductions, which was far and away the best part of LoS1.
TiM3_4_P4iN
Member
i think it was not a bad sequel, i had fun with it
the first one was way better though
the first one was way better though
Morrigan Stark
Arrogant Smirk
Sounds like a pro to me. Man, Stewart was so wasted on that nonsense.
PfantzyPantz
Member
I always get sad reading LoS2 impressions, man was I so excited for it. Loved that trailer and loved that music. Sadface.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
The first one was one of my fave experiences on PS3. Romping through beautiful fantasy/gothic vistas while killing mythological monsters was amazing. The sequel was, sadly, an ugly, boring mess with a completely forgettable story, awful stealth sections and those godawful modern setting levels. The only good parts of the game were the castle levels. Just forget the game ever happened :/
Corpsepyre
Banned
Opened REALLY well, and featured some killer set-piece battles and boss fights throughout, but it felt like a schizophrenic game of sorts, like they didn't know what to make and what direction to go towards.
Ended up being as big disappointment, honestly.
Ended up being as big disappointment, honestly.
Lapidus' Beard
Member
It was the nail in Dracula's coffin.
Son Of Sparda
Member
That why I said "chances are" and not "definitely". The game was disappointing for sure but people are getting really hyperbolic with it.
It was still a fun game and I feel people that stuck with it to the end did enjoy what they play of it. Though I can relate to the guys that dropped it few hours in, LoS2 has some shitty sections that can be really dumb and frustrating.
U n i o n 0015
Member
So I just finished it and completely concur: total disappointment.
I'm normally one to get all the achievements in a game, so I was going to go back and get the Prince of Darkness difficulty cheevo...nope. I can't bear to play through the game again. It's just boring, a chore to play through.
The story seems like it'll be interesting, but it jumps around like there were whole sections cut out. The gameplay itself is fine, except sometimes they throw you enemies that have to be defeated a certain way, but they give you no health refills prior to the battle.
Only thing good was the art direction. LoS1 was great, and while MoF had it's problems, the story was at least interesting. This game had only good art direction, nothing more.
And the scale of objects, holy crap. That was SO annoying.
I'm normally one to get all the achievements in a game, so I was going to go back and get the Prince of Darkness difficulty cheevo...nope. I can't bear to play through the game again. It's just boring, a chore to play through.
The story seems like it'll be interesting, but it jumps around like there were whole sections cut out. The gameplay itself is fine, except sometimes they throw you enemies that have to be defeated a certain way, but they give you no health refills prior to the battle.
Only thing good was the art direction. LoS1 was great, and while MoF had it's problems, the story was at least interesting. This game had only good art direction, nothing more.
And the scale of objects, holy crap. That was SO annoying.
Canada Dry
Banned
Sad thread.
LoS was one of my favourite games last gen. Always had an eye on LoS2 but was turned off by the really bad reviews and the timing of release (new consoles).
I guess I'll give it a pass.
LoS was one of my favourite games last gen. Always had an eye on LoS2 but was turned off by the really bad reviews and the timing of release (new consoles).
I guess I'll give it a pass.
Pyramid head
Banned
Nowhere near as wasted as he was playing an immortal chain-smoking Donald Trump in the sequel.