This is the first game of the Castlevania franchise I ever played, so I only have a vague idea of what the originals were, lore-wise. Apparently this game is a reboot of the series and shares few elements with the OG games.
That said, I absolutely loved “Lords of Shadow”.

The gameplay is a mix of hack and slash (Bayonetta / DmC style, with combos and unlockable new abilities), exploration / platforming Prince of Persia SoT style and a sprinkle of clever puzzles.
This formula worked surprisingly well for me, the game was incredibly satisfying and rewarding all the way through (with one caveat).

I played on normal (warrior) difficulty, and the fights were a good balance between challenging and not too frustrating for me. Sometimes the smaller enemies were a button masher fest, but more often than not I had to put some effort into the combat in order to progress. Bosses are pretty epic, and with unique mechanics which require some learning in order to beat them. Overall I would say combat is easier than in Bayonetta but it never felt too easy for me.

The platforming part was really enjoyable for me. I wish Uncharted: Drake's Fortune had more sections like in this Castlevania game. The puzzles were also quite enjoyable, I managed to solve them but they felt rewarding and well thought out.

The visuals are gorgeous, with so many different locations which are astonishing. There is a lot of variety and everything is masterfully designed, rich and detailed.

The caveat I talked about earlier is about the second DLC (included in this version of the game). The additional chapters are fine (although a bit subpar if compared to the main game) but the final boss, “The Forgotten One” was absolutely infuriating.

This last boss was such a spike in difficulty which took me between 2 and 3 hours to finally beat it at normal. It was one of the hardest and frustrating experiences I've ever had in video gaming. I almost gave up beating it and finishing the game, even though in the end I somehow managed to cross the finish line. I liked the rest of the game so much that I didn't want to drop it right at the end and so I pushed through.

In conclusion, one of the best games I played so far in 2025, definitely recommended and a very pleasant surprise! Really excited to play the other 2 games of the Lords of Shadow trilogy!

The game is kinda boring and monotonous, the whip feels weak and you lose your health a bit too fast. There isnt much funny kojimaism either. Somehow i still found myself playing it, at least the visuals are great.

yo this ♥♥♥♥ sucks gorilla ♥♥♥♥, go do anything else