Post by Setharion on May 22, 2011 23:27:26 GMT -5
So here we go! First and foremost I have to say this game from start to finish was phenomenal, a masterpiece if i may..of a video game. Ive seen alot of dislike for this game, well maybe its been 50/50 but I honestly dont see how someone could dislike this video game FROM a video game perspective. But onto the review.
-Presentation-
There are so many video games we get that are amazing, but not all of them set the stage quite like this game. From the minute the game starts you are throw into this story, this world that can be familiar but different at the same time. Hearing a tale being told to you with the voice of Patrick Stewart is immediatly jumping out at you. There are a handful of men in this world that can put you INTO a story by the mere sound of their voice, Stewart is one of those men. For me it set the tone and stage for this game incredibly, you were drawn in the second this game started. Now the chapters are seperated by narratives, but It felt like a story being told to you and you acted out the parts, thats how it all felt to me. Overall just an amazing presentation in my book.
-Visuals-
Stunning, breathtaking at times, a total work of art on many levels. The ambiance they created with the visuals were incredible. From lush wooded areas, to snowy mountains, forests and castles, run down ruins, swamp lands, eerie marshlands, it was all there and it looked damn good. Again its a matter of appreciating the art and beauty of this game that makes me excited, I felt such a passion was put into this game from the art direction. You can see this story unfold and I feel it set a bar on many levels in terms of graphics. They captured the feeling of being one small warrior in a MASSIVE world to such great extents, there were moments where you looked like an ant next to a castle or running along a long bridge across a chasm, the size and scope just added incredible depth to the world of this game. It was just awesome, thats all I can really say.
-Music-
The music was incredible, but the only negative for me was it didnt have at all times a Castlevania sound. But it wasnt bad music, it just was music that i felt would fit another game more appropriately. Its not a knock to the music since its a gorgeous soundtrack but it was hit and miss on the Vania feel, but that doesnt detract by any means. The music hits the emotions quite well, thats what I noticed. I compare to the music to Lord of the Rings, very exciting, very energetic and passionate, an amazing soundtrack altogether.
-Game play-
I felt overall the game played quite good. There were alot of moves and skills but not too many to overwhelm you, for me not being one that masters every move in a game I thought there was just the perfect amount of skills to execute. The platforming I thought was good and simple enough. I remember alot of people complaining about them guiding you where to go at times and honestly that was blown out of proportion because many games anymore give you subtle hints of where to jump or where to go, not every game is an open ended decision. The camera was the only downfall at times, not all the time but at times there were just moments where my battles took me out of view and I got a little upset by it, but it wasnt a deal breaker it was just a frustration you would have here and there. Overall the gameplay was responsive, flowed nicely and I thought was a great time.
-Story-
I just read somewhere that the game was a reboot, I hadnt previously known this. This also makes sense as to why they went the direction they did, I think i can accept the story alot more knowing this. I feel the story is why some are bitter about this game because its not a typical Vania story, BUT...its a very good story. It has its Vania moments, but for those that may be bitter over this aspect I just think they need to drop the expectations and enjoy the work of art that this game is in the world of video games. The story was interesting from the moment i put the game in, so for me I enjoyed it.
-Final Thoughts-
Any gamer to me should appreciate this game. From where video games were, to a game like this....is a mindblowing experience when you look at it from a pure gaming standpoint. I feel people having their grips is fine but I just say sometimes look past the gripes if you can and appreciate the work, and this game is just that one hell of a piece of work. 3D Castlevanias havent really hit the mark, this one does. Every gamer needs to play this game, its simply one of those games you need to play because its not your ordinary Castlevania, its an epic tale that is exciting from start to finish.
My rating for Lords of Shadow would have to be:
9.0
-Presentation-
There are so many video games we get that are amazing, but not all of them set the stage quite like this game. From the minute the game starts you are throw into this story, this world that can be familiar but different at the same time. Hearing a tale being told to you with the voice of Patrick Stewart is immediatly jumping out at you. There are a handful of men in this world that can put you INTO a story by the mere sound of their voice, Stewart is one of those men. For me it set the tone and stage for this game incredibly, you were drawn in the second this game started. Now the chapters are seperated by narratives, but It felt like a story being told to you and you acted out the parts, thats how it all felt to me. Overall just an amazing presentation in my book.
-Visuals-
Stunning, breathtaking at times, a total work of art on many levels. The ambiance they created with the visuals were incredible. From lush wooded areas, to snowy mountains, forests and castles, run down ruins, swamp lands, eerie marshlands, it was all there and it looked damn good. Again its a matter of appreciating the art and beauty of this game that makes me excited, I felt such a passion was put into this game from the art direction. You can see this story unfold and I feel it set a bar on many levels in terms of graphics. They captured the feeling of being one small warrior in a MASSIVE world to such great extents, there were moments where you looked like an ant next to a castle or running along a long bridge across a chasm, the size and scope just added incredible depth to the world of this game. It was just awesome, thats all I can really say.
-Music-
The music was incredible, but the only negative for me was it didnt have at all times a Castlevania sound. But it wasnt bad music, it just was music that i felt would fit another game more appropriately. Its not a knock to the music since its a gorgeous soundtrack but it was hit and miss on the Vania feel, but that doesnt detract by any means. The music hits the emotions quite well, thats what I noticed. I compare to the music to Lord of the Rings, very exciting, very energetic and passionate, an amazing soundtrack altogether.
-Game play-
I felt overall the game played quite good. There were alot of moves and skills but not too many to overwhelm you, for me not being one that masters every move in a game I thought there was just the perfect amount of skills to execute. The platforming I thought was good and simple enough. I remember alot of people complaining about them guiding you where to go at times and honestly that was blown out of proportion because many games anymore give you subtle hints of where to jump or where to go, not every game is an open ended decision. The camera was the only downfall at times, not all the time but at times there were just moments where my battles took me out of view and I got a little upset by it, but it wasnt a deal breaker it was just a frustration you would have here and there. Overall the gameplay was responsive, flowed nicely and I thought was a great time.
-Story-
I just read somewhere that the game was a reboot, I hadnt previously known this. This also makes sense as to why they went the direction they did, I think i can accept the story alot more knowing this. I feel the story is why some are bitter about this game because its not a typical Vania story, BUT...its a very good story. It has its Vania moments, but for those that may be bitter over this aspect I just think they need to drop the expectations and enjoy the work of art that this game is in the world of video games. The story was interesting from the moment i put the game in, so for me I enjoyed it.
-Final Thoughts-
Any gamer to me should appreciate this game. From where video games were, to a game like this....is a mindblowing experience when you look at it from a pure gaming standpoint. I feel people having their grips is fine but I just say sometimes look past the gripes if you can and appreciate the work, and this game is just that one hell of a piece of work. 3D Castlevanias havent really hit the mark, this one does. Every gamer needs to play this game, its simply one of those games you need to play because its not your ordinary Castlevania, its an epic tale that is exciting from start to finish.
My rating for Lords of Shadow would have to be:
9.0
