I will obviously and of course admit that a lot of this review is personal opinion, and a lot probably hinges on my lack of abilities around the game mechanics, as this is the first 3D platformer I've played.

I played this game solely for the vampiric parts and knew nothing of the story. That being said, aside from a few puzzles that I genuinely found interesting, this is probably the worst video game I have ever played.

The boss fights are completely miserable and the early ones especially are just an emulated ripoff of Shadows of the Colossus but with "simplified" mechanics that make the fight worse, and the puzzles aren't that much better.

As someone who typically focuses on the stories of the games more than anything else, this Castlevania series (which my friend said is basically a reboot of the franchise) has some of the worst written characters/plot points I have ever seen, and throughout most of the game it just feels like the writers pull stuff out of thin air to advance the story.

Overall, I would give this game maybe like a 3/10, made up for by the (very few and far between) fun parts that are by far over "shadowed" (pun intended) by everything else.

Also this is probably a silly nitpick but some of the aesthetics in this game seemed lewd for no reason other than to objectify women.

Lords of Shadow: A God of War Like Castlevania Reboot Review

1. Introduction

Castlevania, the METROIDVANIA pioneer, took a different path with 2010's Lords of Shadow. This reboot embraced the 3D Old School God of War style, blending dark gothic visuals with classic series elements (vampires, etc.). Players control Gabriel, the human form of Dracula, on a quest against the Lords of Shadow to revive his wife. Expect climbing, jumping, puzzles, hack and slash, and GOW-style boss fights.

2. Gameplay Mechanics

Combat Cross acts like GOW's Blades of Chaos (XY combos). Secondary weapons (Dagger, Holy Water) offer ranged options (B button), effective against different foes. Consecutive hits without damage generate Nature Orbs for Mana. Bosses (Werewolves, Titans) have weaknesses requiring specific tactics and QTEs. Giant Wargs/Spiders can be ridden for quick enemy clearing or puzzle solving. Light Magic (health drain on hit) and Dark Magic (damage boost) enchant the Combat Cross using separate Mana pools refilled by Nature Orbs. Secondary weapons change with magic (Fire Dagger, magic shield). Mana-consuming area attacks exist. Climbing/3D platforming are significant. Box-World Puzzles require exploration, item use, and mini-games, often needing unlocked abilities.

3. Progression and Collectibles

XP from kills unlocks moves (few are truly vital). Key bosses grant abilities (dash, double jump, box-moving gauntlet). Combat Cross upgrades offer puzzle-solving but no direct damage increase. Four collectibles: Life, Light, Dark Gems (increase max stats per 5) and Scrolls (lore/puzzle hints).

4. Unique Flavor

Lords of Shadow deviates from METROIDVANIA, heavily using Castlevania's dark gothic style within an Old School GOW framework. Familiar vampire castles, forests, and ruins host classic creatures. In 2025, this blend of gameplay and theme is a rare treat.

5. Story and Lore

Gabriel of the Light Brotherhood seeks the God Mask to revive his murdered wife, Marie, by defeating the Lords of Shadow with Zobek's aid. Allies (Pan, Claudia, Laura, Baba Yaga) perish, Zobek betrays him, and Gabriel is manipulated into killing Marie, ultimately becoming Dracula. Character portrayals (Gabriel, Zobek, etc.) are strong, narrated by Zobek. Brotherhood Knight Scrolls add lore but lack memorable characters. 14 chapters/51 levels with unique, thematically consistent environments enhance world credibility (Agharta ruins, Vampire castle with sunlight mechanic/Frankenstein nods). Late-game Necromancy Lord environments felt less thematically fitting.

6. Visual Experience

Excellent dark gothic art style evolves with each chapter (Agharta's reliefs, gothic Vampire castle). Overall aesthetic is strong, translating 2D Castlevania's feel into grand 3D. Minor inconsistencies (late-game portals) slightly mar the otherwise cohesive design. Even now, visuals impress with rich detail, especially the intricate Vampire castle, a standout.

7. Controls and UI

Light/Dark Magic Mana absorption (left/right stick) and activation (LB/RB) can cause mispresses in tense moments. Sprinting (double-tap left stick) can lead to accidental orb absorption. Frequent, often unengaging QTEs in Boss fights, sometimes as primary damage methods (Titan Golem), felt like 3D platforming. Multi-phase Boss fights with QTE checkpoints and short windows are frustrating. UI is simple and informative (character/monster bios, move tutorials).

8. Difficulty and Challenge

Low-level enemies easily executed (QTE for more Nature Orbs). Light Mode offers health on hit, making regular combat forgiving. Bosses mostly use telegraphed attacks, easily dodged. QTE-based executions with tight windows and weak-point targeting are the main Boss difficulty. Early platforming is forgiving; late-game traps (collapsing cliffs, lava, blades) demand precision. Box-World Puzzles are generally simple, with hints/solutions available. True challenge lies in mastering dodges and advanced moves for stylish, rewarding combat.

9. Conclusion and Score

Lords of Shadow is a strong Old School God of War-style game with a compelling Vampire/Werewolf theme, excellent art, and engaging combat, mixed with platforming and puzzles. Despite moving from METROIDVANIA, it excels as a GOW-like title.

Pros:

Stunning dark fantasy medieval gothic art.
Diverse gameplay mechanics.
Many unique levels and enemies.

Cons:

Tedious and frustrating QTEs.
Challenging trap levels.

Recommended For:
Old School God of War fans, Vampire/Werewolf enthusiasts, Castlevania series loyalists.

Score:

Gameplay: 7/10
Story: 7/10
Art: 9/10
Controls: 6/10
Overall: 8/10

i do not play castlevania for the story in the first place, especially since the story is very sparse, so i mostly play for the castle crawling and gameplay. any criticism of the story aside, this being a castlevania reboot - it's not a very good game!

terribly dull combat, uninspired bosses, camera that feels like it's handled by a geriatric man the instant you stop for half a second, very boring levels, uninspired collectibles, non-stop QTEs... this game is not worth your time or money. in any capacity.

oh yeah and this is me just glancing over all the numerous times the game just does not function. interaction that doesn't work because you're at the wrong angle, jump that doesn't want to happen, random knick knacks that are just terribly frustrating to deal with.

if this didn't have "castlevania" attached to it, it would be forgotten to the tides of time. it plays like a boring ps2 action game that no one wants to play anymore, and for good reason. it is the embodiment of mediocre tediousness.

on a more personal note : i would question the taste in games of anyone that finds this offering enjoyable. truly makes me wonder if you have played more than 3 video games in your life.