Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

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In Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Ultimate Edition, a dark power threatens the world's alliance with heaven, causing the souls of the dead to wander without peace. Gabriel Belmont, a member of the Brotherhood of Light, seeks vengeance for his murdered wife and embarks on a quest to defeat the malevolent Lords of Shadow. This edition includes the Reverie DLC, where Gabriel revisits the castle on a new mission.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,854 reviews

story685 positive mentions

grinding100 negative mentions

Great art direction and visuals that still hold up well today.
Engaging story with interesting characters and excellent voice acting.
Fun combat mechanics with a variety of combos and magic abilities.

Fixed camera angles that can hinder gameplay and navigation.
Over-reliance on quick time events that disrupt the flow of combat.
Some puzzles are tedious and can feel frustrating, especially with the platforming mechanics.

story
1,612 mentions
42 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative and character development, particularly the journey of Gabriel Belmont as he seeks to resurrect his wife and confront dark forces. While some players found the plot compelling and well-executed, others criticized it for being predictable, convoluted, or poorly delivered through excessive exposition. Overall, the game is noted for its strong voice acting, particularly by Patrick Stewart, and its ability to weave a rich lore into the gameplay, though some felt it lacked the depth and charm of earlier entries in the series.
- “Great story, voice acting, and stunning soundtrack with a unique spin on traditional gameplay in the series.”
- “I would absolutely recommend this game for its rich lore and for being the foundation for Mirror of Fate and Lords of Shadow 2, as well as for its character design, astonishing sceneries of magical places, the variety of monsters, the captivating voice acting, and the fantastic story and character of Gabriel Belmont.”
- “The story is a deep, tragic tale of supernatural, medieval misery, gray morality, and fate.”
- “The story is garbage, the voice acting is garbage, the 'puzzles' are garbage, the guided platforming is garbage, the camera system is garbage.”
- “The story is very bland and predictable.”
- “The story reads like a 12-year-old's fanfic and I'm legit surprised Sir Patrick Stewart did voiceover.”
gameplay
846 mentions
30 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow" is a blend of hack-and-slash combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving, drawing heavy inspiration from titles like "God of War" and "Devil May Cry." While many players appreciate the fluid combat mechanics and engaging boss fights, criticisms often focus on the dated mechanics, frustrating camera angles, and reliance on quick-time events, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its linearity and some repetitive elements, the game offers a visually stunning environment and a compelling story that keeps players invested.
- “Great story, voice acting, and stunning soundtrack with a unique spin on traditional gameplay in the series.”
- “I loved the variety of enemies and bosses, each requiring unique strategies to defeat, which keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
- “The gameplay is fun and fluid.”
- “The gameplay feels like it drags heavily, the boss fights are copy/pastes of God of War games, and the beat-by-beat exploration just doesn’t feel rewarding.”
- “The game suffers from far too many mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is a mashed together blend of several popular action games ranging from God of War to Shadow of Colossus that fails to deliver any of the finer points of any of those games.”
graphics
676 mentions
63 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Ultimate Edition" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and impressive art direction, which have aged well since the game's release in 2010. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating gothic atmosphere with beautiful landscapes and detailed character designs, although some note issues with graphical glitches and dated cutscenes. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the immersive experience despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and camera control.
- “The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, bringing the dark and gothic world to life with amazing attention to detail.”
- “The art direction and presentation in general is wonderful and very eye-catching compared to its peers at the time, without sacrificing too much of the gothic aesthetic of the classics.”
- “For a 2010 game, the graphics look pretty good.”
- “However, Lord of Shadow 1 has some crazy graphical glitches.”
- “Had pretty horrendous graphical bugs that made the game virtually unplayable (geometry vertex errors).”
- “The graphics are outdated (yes I know it's a PlayStation port - they could have updated it).”
music
468 mentions
60 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its orchestral score and atmospheric compositions that enhance the game's gothic setting. While some tracks are described as beautiful and fitting, others feel forgettable compared to the iconic music of previous Castlevania titles. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, though it lacks the memorable melodies that fans have come to expect from the franchise.
- “The soundtrack is full of bombastic orchestral pieces during fights with somber songs filling in the negative space between.”
- “The music is amazing and the dialogues are really well written.”
- “The orchestral soundtrack throughout the game was also memorable, and all the sound effects -- both in-game and in the cutscenes -- were spot on.”
- “The music is hardly inspiring to keep playing and the overall design is almost insulting to the player.”
- “For a series with such iconic music, the soundtrack here is entirely unremarkable.”
- “The music that is in the game is fine, but a year after playing, I can't recall a single track as outstanding in my memory the way tracks like 'Bloody Tears', 'Wicked Child', and 'The Sinking Old Sanctuary' from the classic series do.”
atmosphere
127 mentions
65 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautifully crafted environments, ranging from eerie forests to grand castles, which immerse players in a rich gothic and dark-fantasy setting. The orchestral soundtrack and strong voice acting further enhance the experience, creating a haunting and engaging world that captivates players despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, effectively drawing players into its narrative and aesthetic.
- “The environments are beautifully crafted, from eerie forests to grand castles, each location immerses you in the rich atmosphere of the game.”
- “The orchestral score sets the perfect tone for the game, immersing you even further into its gothic atmosphere and heightening the sense of adventure and danger.”
- “The atmosphere, environment variety and design, and cinematic feel of the game are all gorgeous.”
- “I adore the gothic horror atmosphere of earlier games in the series, but here, there is as much atmosphere as your local Walmart.”
- “The atmosphere here feels a bit disjointed, like they had a few really good settings and just mashed them together.”
- “Once again, the bad mechanics take away from the atmosphere and instead of being enraptured, you're left wondering when it ends.”
grinding
102 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive puzzles, slow combat, and poorly designed level layouts. Boss fights often feature unchallenging gimmicks that contribute to the overall monotony, while the need for grinding to unlock upgrades adds to the sense of frustration. Overall, players feel that the game suffers from a lack of engaging gameplay, making it a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.
- “There is no grinding for XP; you will have plenty to not only upgrade all the combat abilities but also to buy all the artwork as well.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game has some good fights but it is mostly tedious; you can't make combos because you don't stun enemies but they stun you. There aren't a lot of attacks and the level design is just horrible. It's okay for the first minutes, but after a while it becomes so repetitive. Also, the quick time events suck.”
- “This game was a slog; I struggled to want to play it knowing full well that the puzzles will eat up 90% of the time played, making it tedious and boring.”
- “The whole thing is just such a tedious chore of a game.”
replayability
56 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mixed but generally positive replayability experience. Many players appreciate the inclusion of trials, collectibles, and multiple difficulty settings that encourage revisiting levels, while some express frustration with unskippable cutscenes and linear progression. Completionists will find significant replay value, but others may feel the replayability is limited once upgrades are obtained.
- “The ultimate edition includes all the DLC, which adds even more content and enhances replay value.”
- “While the game has a linear path, which seems to be an object of many complaints, it has plenty of content to make up for it and a high replayability rate (hidden chambers, special challenge objectives, multiple difficulty settings, and more for me to discover).”
- “Replayability is extremely high due to the myriad of hidden upgrades and the need to revisit levels for trials and collectibles.”
- “There's not a lot of replayability though, unless you want to go for the challenge mission 'trials' that unlock for each level after you beat them for achievements.”
- “Only downside to this game is the replayability value; once you get all upgrades, you only have to redo the chapter once or a few times to get a 110% rating.”
- “The game has some replay value if you're after achievements; if you can get them all, then you're one badass button-pushing gamer.”
optimization
41 mentions
51 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its strong optimization, running smoothly on various hardware configurations, including older systems, with many users reporting a consistent 60fps performance. While some minor issues were noted, such as the cinematics running at a lower frame rate, the general consensus is that the game is well-optimized, providing a visually appealing experience without significant bugs or stuttering.
- “The game is well-optimized and ran beautifully.”
- “Aside from those minor nitpicks, the game is very well optimized and runs at a silky smooth 60fps.”
- “Complete with a driving story, well-crafted PC optimization, impressive visuals, exciting combat, spectacular voice-acting, and a musical score that will blow your mind... this is not just a game; Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a benchmark in gaming history.”
- “In fact, when you watch reviews on the original consoles, there were many complaints about the game stuttering during important moments where the action is heavy.”
- “Just be aware this is essentially a poorly optimized adaptation to the God of War series though.”
- “It does look stylish and pretty, although artistically, not technologically (pretty low res textures and pre-rendered movies, rather poor optimization, other small issues).”
emotional
35 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impressive character development, particularly Gabriel Belmont's journey, which deeply invests players in his quest. The orchestral soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, with heart-wrenching melodies that resonate throughout the gameplay, creating a poignant atmosphere. While some players found the story lacking in depth, many praised its emotional impact, particularly during key moments that evoke strong feelings of love, regret, and heartbreak.
- “The character development is impressive, especially Gabriel Belmont’s journey, and I found myself emotionally invested in his quest.”
- “A personal example would be the moment after the big reveal at the end, which left me in pieces and made me feel as though I was one with Gabriel Belmont, the one you play as, and also made me feel his regret and hatred towards the pointless journey.”
- “The story is very emotional and poignant in parts with a twist at the end that will leave you open-mouthed the first time you experience it.”
- “Dull game, boring story, boring music, boring combat, slow-paced.”
- “Boring story.”
stability
31 mentions
13 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is highly inconsistent, with many users reporting a range of graphical glitches, camera issues, and game-breaking bugs that can disrupt gameplay. While some players experienced a relatively smooth experience without major issues, others faced significant problems that required reloading sections or adjusting settings to mitigate glitches. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a mixed bag, with a notable number of players encountering frustrating technical difficulties.
- “No glitches.”
- “+ No glitches or crashes in 22 hours of playing.”
- “The entire game is highly polished, bug free and very high quality.”
- “Ran into game-breaking glitches within an hour both times.”
- “Constant graphical glitches that ruin what are meant to be set-piece shots and obscure necessary combat areas are jarring.”
- “A buggy, oddly paced experience coupled with a laughable story and cringe-inducing acting all add up to a thumbs down.”
character development
30 mentions
67 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a strong point, particularly through Gabriel Belmont's emotionally engaging journey, though some reviews note that his transformation does not always reflect the narrative's darker themes. While the character designs and environments are praised for their beauty and detail, there are criticisms regarding the limitations of character progression and the linearity of the gameplay, which can hinder deeper exploration and innovation. Overall, the game offers a compelling story and impressive character design, but it could benefit from more nuanced character development and pacing.
- “The character development is impressive, especially Gabriel Belmont’s journey, and I found myself emotionally invested in his quest.”
- “It has fantastic character development and other various story elements (the twists were very much a genuine surprise each time).”
- “The story itself is engaging and a great example of character development.”
- “And then as you start the next level, there is a storybook sequence where the narrator describes everything that is going on inside Gabriel's mind, and somehow these storybook sequences are supposed to resemble character development.”
- “The only oversight on the character development I found was that as you advance in the story, Gabriel is supposedly going down a dark path and changing, not for the best mind you, but he does not really act like it.”
- “The story and settings are intriguing, but the linear hand-holding of the player that limits any exploration, innovation, or unique character development or playstyle ruins any enjoyment gained from the story.”
humor
23 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding enjoyment in quirky elements like goblin grenades and amusing death messages, while others feel that the humor often falls flat or becomes repetitive. References to memes and funny character sounds add to the charm, but frustrations with gameplay mechanics can overshadow the comedic moments. Overall, while some aspects are entertaining, the humor may not resonate with everyone, especially those who prefer a more serious tone.
- “It is just very satisfying to finish enemies off, and it's quite funny to activate a goblin's grenade and throw it towards a group of them.”
- “However, the game sometimes tries to be funny by saying 'try not to swim in lava' or 'don't fight like a dairy farmer' when you die.”
- “Oh, I would also like to mention that this game makes a 'hilarious' reference to the 'the cake is a lie' meme, even though there is nothing in that specific scene that would be in any way related to cakes or portals.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in this game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that the gameplay is overly focused on generating revenue rather than providing a quality experience, likening it to a series of advertisements rather than engaging boss fights.
- “If you are going to waste the Castlevania IP on a cash grab God of War rip-off, at least do a respectable job at it.”
- “This wasn't really a boss fight; it was more about fighting a bunch of ads until a quick time event came up.”