Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (2010)

This Castlevania entry is a cinematic reboot of the long-running series that reimagines it as a dark fantasy action-adventure rather than a traditional exploration-based platformer. Set in a mythic world of crumbling ruins, cursed forests, and colossal beasts, the MC is called Gabriel Belmont on a tragic quest that mixes gothic atmosphere with epic storytelling. The game’s presentation is its strongest suit, it looks beautiful even years later, with detailed environments, sweeping camera angles, and an emotional orchestral score that elevates every scene. Combat is satisfying and weighty, combining whip attacks, magic powers, and timed dodges in a way that feels close to God of War or Dante’s Inferno.

Boss fights, particularly the massive titan battles, deliver some of the game’s most memorable moments. The voice acting gives surprising gravitas to the story, which grows more interesting the deeper it goes. However, the game’s linear structure can disappoint longtime fans expecting the exploration and backtracking typical of older Castlevania titles. Some camera angles are awkward, making platforming sections frustrating, and the pacing sometimes dips between combat encounters and puzzles. It also borrows heavily from its contemporaries, offering polish rather than innovation.

Overall, this game succeeds as a cinematic, emotionally charged reinvention of the series. It trades open exploration for spectacle and storytelling, delivering a grand adventure that’s both haunting and beautiful. For people who enjoy mythic narratives and stylish combat, it’s a strong experience worth revisiting, even if it feels more God of War than Castlevania. Particularly this is the only game that I have Platinum status back in the PlayStation 3 era, and I highly recommend trying to 100% this one, it is very satisfying. Although this title was not very well received by the community, I really like it and I highly recommend it to fans of the series, or if you like Hack'N Slash games to any extent, it is simply one of the best of the genre.

• Fixed camera angles (you don’t control it)
• Puzzles always have enemies spawn that you must fight just to slow you down
• The game is extremely linear (not sure if that’s good or bad)
• Fighting is very repetitive
• Game is the same thing over and over. Fight enemies, solve a puzzle, move to next area. Rinse and repeat. Very boring.

This isn’t a good Castlevania game or even a good game as far as I’m concerned. It’s basically God of War with a different coat of paint and less violence/gore. I dislike this and I can’t wait until it’s over.

1. Incredible voice acting and musical score
2. Great use of cutscenes that don't drag on
3. That segment in the castle trying to kill all the vampires while simultaneously removing the drapes to reveal sunlight
4. Forced platforming and puzzles during the last chapters were frustrating and not fun
5. Music box segment was annoying to play

One day I hope someone makes a 3D Castlevania game with the same gameplay mechanics as Sekiro or at least God of War without any platforming whatsoever.

6.7/10

Lords of Shadow defies the boundaries of what Castlevania should be, but it works. The game pulls you in medieval times, but the gameplay, presentation and story are without a doubt as modern as you can get. The ghost of old Castlevania flows through the game, while being fresh enough to make it feel like the start of a new franchise.

With a combat system that cleverly overcomes button mashing, wonderful design work and a story that spans far longer than your average video game, Lords of Shadow is exactly what the Castlevania franchise needed to find popularity with a new generation of gamers. Both fans and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy here.