Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,056 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Game Cover
Castlevania Lords of Shadow is a must play game on the PlayStation 3 that really draws you in from the start to give you a spectacular journey of good versus evil in this beautifully presented sequel.
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In Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Dracula returns to confront his past and defeat Satan, who plans to bring about the apocalypse. Navigating a vast open world, players control Dracula, utilizing his enhanced combat abilities to battle dark enemies and solve puzzles. The game combines brutal combat with intriguing narrative, offering a satisfying conclusion to the Lords of Shadow saga.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,056 reviews
story429 positive mentions
grinding69 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with strong character development, particularly for Dracula.
  • Improved combat mechanics and fluid gameplay compared to the first game.
  • Stunning graphics and art design, especially in the castle sections.
  • Annoying stealth sections that feel out of place and disrupt gameplay flow.
  • Confusing level design with excessive backtracking and poor navigation.
  • Inconsistent enemy mechanics, leading to frustrating combat experiences.
  • story1,348 mentions

    The story of "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its emotional depth and character development, particularly regarding Dracula's transformation and struggles. However, critics have pointed out issues with coherence, pacing, and the integration of modern settings, leading to a narrative that can feel disjointed and convoluted. While some players found the story engaging and a worthy continuation of the series, others felt it fell short compared to its predecessor, often citing the abrupt ending and underwhelming plot twists as significant drawbacks.

    • “The story contained in Lords of Shadow 2 is masterfully written, much like the gameplay is fitting to the game's setting and the main story; it is a masterpiece.”
    • “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is an enthralling journey that masterfully intertwines dark, atmospheric storytelling with engaging gameplay.”
    • “The story is rich and complex, filled with twists that kept me invested until the very end.”
    • “The story is a total mess.”
    • “The story is just a convoluted mess.”
    • “The story is weak, doesn't give a closure and nothing great happens.”
  • gameplay622 mentions

    The gameplay of "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its combat mechanics and fluidity, which are seen as improvements over its predecessor. However, the introduction of poorly executed stealth sections and repetitive mechanics has drawn significant criticism, detracting from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the variety and depth in combat, others find the gameplay marred by frustrating design choices and a lack of engaging puzzles.

    • “The ability to switch between different forms adds a unique twist to the gameplay, allowing for creative strategies in overcoming challenging enemies.”
    • “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is an enthralling journey that masterfully intertwines dark, atmospheric storytelling with engaging gameplay.”
    • “The variety of enemies and the innovative use of Dracula's powers keep the gameplay fresh and exciting throughout the journey.”
    • “One of the worst games I've played, with a dumb plot, ridiculous setting for a Castlevania game, stupid design decisions with poorly implemented mechanics, especially the stealth sections, which are not hard, just there for no reason.”
    • “The stealth mechanics in this game are worse than those in the original Tenchu and Metal Gear Solid from the PSX era.”
    • “The gameplay humiliates the character of Dracula even more with annoying stealth sequences that make you hide from some demonic space marines – these sections of gameplay have zero freedom of approach and challenge.”
  • graphics426 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many reviewers praising the stunning art direction and atmospheric visuals, particularly in the castle sections. While some noted that the graphics do not push modern boundaries and can appear dated in urban environments, the overall aesthetic and attention to detail have been highlighted as strong points, making it visually appealing even years after its release. Despite some inconsistencies, the game is often described as beautiful, with excellent character and environment designs that enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “Graphically, the game is stunning!”
    • “The art style is fantastic, and it looks gorgeous on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The graphics are especially impressive and good looking for its time and can still be enjoyable even today.”
    • “The graphics are sub-par.”
    • “The dark city environments are not very interesting to look at, and due to the game's lore they combine certain aesthetic parts of medieval fantasy through statues and extravagant towers into the areas, making you question where you even are often times.”
    • “The graphics finally feel like a step up from the console version (I felt LOS 1 PC version was almost identical to 360 version I also had).”
  • music269 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its orchestral and atmospheric compositions, effectively enhancing the dark tone and immersive experience of the gameplay. While many reviewers praised the soundtrack as beautiful and fitting, some noted that it occasionally felt generic or lacked the memorability associated with previous entries in the Castlevania series. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, with a mix of sweeping orchestral pieces and emotional themes that resonate well with the game's gothic aesthetic.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Óscar Araujo, perfectly complements the game’s dark tone.”
    • “From sweeping orchestral tracks to eerie, atmospheric pieces, the music sets the mood for Dracula’s journey.”
    • “The music of this game is astonishing and full of emotion, focus, and macabre beauty.”
    • “The worst flaw is in the game's music.”
    • “The fact that the music is so generic when the Castlevania saga is one of the best in terms of music in the entire gaming world makes me extremely angry.”
    • “Another thing that bothered me is how utterly uninspired and generic the soundtrack is.”
  • atmosphere82 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2" is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, enhanced by sweeping orchestral music and beautifully crafted environments that evoke a gothic aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the game's rich world-building, exceptional visuals, and atmospheric storytelling, which collectively create a captivating experience, despite some criticism regarding pacing and certain gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's dark tone and intricate design contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout in the action-adventure genre.

    • “The environments are beautifully crafted, from the haunting castles to the dark, atmospheric streets of modern society.”
    • “The presentation is fantastic—all the graphics, music, sound effects, and amazing gothic-styled vistas mesh together perfectly to create a haunting and memorable atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, the fights, the mechanics (light/darkness) and the insanely good music made this game a 9/10 for me.”
    • “Pretty terrible clone of God of War that fails to be mildly entertaining; ruins established Castlevania lore and atmosphere.”
    • “Much like the first Lords of Shadow, this game just fails to capture the Castlevania atmosphere.”
    • “I feel like it was a game that was held back by its need to appeal to a teen audience; if they had had the opportunity to include more nudity and graphic violence, it would have completed the dark atmosphere that this game achieved.”
  • grinding71 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many citing repetitive combat, tedious stealth sections, and a lack of engaging puzzles as major drawbacks. While some appreciate the improved combat mechanics, the necessity for extensive grinding to master skills and navigate the world map detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of stagnation and boredom. The game's design choices, particularly in terms of enemy encounters and backtracking, contribute to a feeling of monotony that many reviewers found disappointing.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I did not feel like dealing with the chore of NG+ that didn't really bring anything besides tedious repetition of old content with enemies that just took bigger chunks of my HP bar on a hit.”
    • “The stealth sections were very tedious and boring.”
    • “Wandering around the city looking for an objective is tedious and frustrating, especially when the enemies continuously respawn.”
  • optimization49 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on older hardware without any significant performance issues or frame drops. Players report a seamless experience with high-quality graphics and responsive controls, although some users noted specific issues with full-screen settings that require adjustments. The consensus is that the game is well-optimized for PC, providing a solid performance across various systems.

    • “Superb performance, no stutters, or FPS drops.”
    • “Overall this is an awesome game super optimized for PC... I run it all maxed out V-Sync on and there was not a single time where my frames went below 60 FPS.”
    • “The graphics are awesome and really, really optimized.”
    • “Advice for possible problems with the game's operation (DX9 - the game has a problem with stable rendering of frames in full screen if nothing is modified) - full screen, you need to set 'disable full screen optimization' for the main executable file. If that doesn't help, then you need to do the first step and use DXVK. If that doesn't help either, then I recommend windowed mode and using borderless gaming without DXVK and restoring the default settings of the main executable file (at least the sequel doesn't have an encrypted configuration file like the first part).”
    • “The game is fun, but it's optimized poorly.”
    • “Motion blur has clearly been implemented to bridge and smooth the gaps between stuttering frames rather than to create a more realistic sense of motion.”
  • emotional30 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by powerful scenes and a deeply integrated story that explores themes of good versus evil and familial bonds, making it a moving experience for players. While some found the sequel more emotionally engaging than its predecessor, others criticized the voice acting and character design, which detracted from the overall emotional impact. Despite mixed reviews on certain elements, many players appreciated the heartfelt narrative and character development, particularly the father-son dynamic.

    • “The story is not just a backdrop to the action; it's an integral part of the experience, enriching the gameplay with emotional weight and a sense of purpose.”
    • “The story was good and genuinely touching in parts, with the characterization of Dracula being the standout of the show.”
    • “The whole father-son dynamic between Trevor and Gabriel was really well-written and enjoyable to listen to, and although I complained about him being too emotional, I really liked the parts that Gabriel's human side showed in the scenes with his family.”
    • “10,000,000 cutscenes with nothing in them, boring characters, boring story, boring dialogues, poor controls, slow fighting system, and a very flat skills system.”
    • “Weird combat, boring story... gazillion cutscenes... stealth elements in a slasher?”
    • “Boring story.”
  • character development24 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably strong, particularly in the portrayal of Dracula as a conflicted anti-hero, which evokes empathy for his tormented past. However, some reviews highlight inconsistencies in character growth and a lack of depth in the narrative, suggesting that while character designs are impressive, the overall development may not feel fulfilling by the end. The combat system and character progression are also critiqued for being limited, impacting the overall experience of character evolution.

    • “The character development is superb, making me empathize with the dark, tormented soul of Gabriel Belmont that became better known as Dracula.”
    • “I really liked the character development and how much the characters in the game actually changed.”
    • “The character development is top-notch, especially the portrayal of Dracula as a conflicted anti-hero.”
    • “The combat system expands as the plot progresses, and character development is limited to purchasing new attacks, and in this part there is an incentive to use all attacks because leveling up a given type of weapon increases its attack, also strengthening its visual effect.”
    • “I will admit it is an unfair trial, but the lack of story and character development doesn't make up for the game.”
    • “Inconsistent character development of Dracula.”
  • replayability22 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting a decent amount of content through collectibles and challenge modes, while others find it lacking compared to modern titles. Many appreciate the New Game+ feature and the opportunity to tackle higher difficulty levels, but some feel that the game falls short in exploration and overall replay value. While it offers some replay incentives, particularly for completionists, it may not satisfy those seeking extensive replayability.

    • “Replayability: there's a good amount; you only unlock Prince of Darkness difficulty after completing the game once, and there are tons of collectibles and challenge modes.”
    • “Great controls, well optimized with a perfect game length and plenty of exploration and replayability; it's a game where you'll get your money's worth.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are solid, and the added bonus of a 'New Game+' feature that allows you to keep all your abilities and found items and try them on the highest difficulty level adds a nice replay value to this game.”
    • “I'll only recommend it if you don't mind a short game with almost no replay value and very little exploration like in past Castlevania games, and you are a 'true' Castlevania fan.”
    • “7.5/10 - fun journey, replayability is a bit lackluster.”
    • “Put it in mind, I recommend, but not for more than $20; it is not long, and not short, and it lacks replayability.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional hilarity and grim wit, with players finding amusement in awkward moments, poorly executed storylines, and absurd situations. While some elements, like the combat and gameplay, are noted for their comedic value, the overall humor is often seen as hit-or-miss, with many reviewers appreciating the charm despite its flaws. The game evokes a nostalgic, silly vibe reminiscent of classic titles, though it may not consistently deliver intentional laughs.

    • “If anything, it's hilarious to laugh at the poorly inserted Castlevania Easter egg and Patrick Stewart trying to do a serious performance with his lines.”
    • “In the end, it is very funny, entertaining, dramatic, and inspiring.”
    • “The story is hilariously badly written, and at times borders on nonsensical.”
    • “So... it's not horrible overall, but often not funny.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent across different systems, with some players experiencing frequent crashes, freezes, and glitches, particularly when changing settings or during specific gameplay moments. While some users report a smooth experience with minimal issues, others highlight significant bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game appears to have a mixed reception regarding stability, with performance varying widely depending on the platform and settings used.

    • “Awesome... runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “Plays, looks, and runs great.”
    • “It runs great, looks great, and is fun to play.”
    • “The game is not very stable on modern systems; I had a couple of unexpected shutdowns and freezes. If that happens, just restart the game.”
    • “The game has too many glitches and it fails in a few areas to deliver a good experience with the very basic functionality of a game (UI is lame, in-game application options are lame, cinematic controls are really bad).”
    • “Game completely freezes on tutorial.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game's monetization model is perceived as outdated, reminiscent of pre-live service eras, and contrasts with its modern supernatural themes, which are humorously highlighted by the presence of advertisements in the game world.

    • “The game strikes a perfect balance with its monetization model, offering plenty of content without feeling overly reliant on microtransactions.”
    • “I appreciate how the monetization is designed to enhance the experience rather than detract from it; everything feels fairly priced.”
    • “The game provides a generous amount of free content, making the optional purchases feel like a bonus rather than a necessity.”
    • “The game ultimately feels like a relic from a time before live services, day-one patches, and microtransactions.”
    • “I'm also a huge fan of supernatural stuff appearing in a modern-day scenario, and seeing some demons walking along wrecked cars while an advertising screen can be seen in the background always puts a smile on my face.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

60% average critic score

Buy Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

Play time

5hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
15hMain story
31hCompletionist
2-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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