Castlevania Lords of Shadow

🎮 Steam ⏳ 25 hours ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Cinematic Dark Reboot #

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.

Epic Yet Linear #

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.

Spectacle Over Exploration #

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.