So, I finished LoS2 this morning and I wish to give it my thoughts without the use of spoilers -
After waiting four years and have only pre-ordered the game a year ago, I for one was happy to sit down and play the game. But sadly, not all was what I thought it was out to be. First off, the game itself was hyped to hell by Konami/MS over their FB...etc. But as some remember, I wrote the original combat guide for the first LoS, but took it offline on gamefaqs (I no longer publish guides because I've honestly become very lazy in writing FAQs and keeping up to date with the current ones I made, so I pulled them.)
Combat itself - the system itself is basically the same as in LoS1, the only issue is I feel that combat is a little bit more lagged and the camera system makes it somewhat harder for some abilities to be properly done. It angers me slightly that Gabriel/Dracula does not have his original move set from the original game. Of course, the new abilities are nice, but it would of been a more sweet transition if we had been given the original moves. It also angered me that upon getting the double jump ability, that it lacks it's combos that where originally in the first game. The master system may increase your damage output, but if one goes into the game knowing what to expect and what to do, the system itself is obsolete. The stealth segments in the game weren't that bad, besides one part, which I will not get into. But in reality, the stealth should of been reworked and should of allowed us to have a move set and abilities (stealth finishers/different animal forms...etc) that would allow us to easily get through certain areas. There is really nothing "RPG" about this title.
Exploration - Given the fact the game is supposedly "bigger" than the first is rubbish. I completed the game in less than 8 hours and the fact remains that it doesn't 'feel' that big. Someone mentioned earlier in the forums that they called this one "SoTN 2.0". Sorry, but it isn't. The exploration element wasn't even all that grand as it was hyped up to be from Konami/MS on FB. I never found myself lost once and I find that nevigation through the castle and the city has significant flaws and the areas felt as if they had no charm. I admit, some places looked cool than others, but overall I feel the game was rushed, even though it took them four years to make it.
Music - The music itself is alright. I can't really comment too much on it without getting technical.
Overall -
The game itself was alright, sadly there was still a lot more that could have been explained and a few things could have shown up to make the game itself connect to the last two games. The ending itself pissed me off, I wasn't happy about it. It didn't truly feel like a climatic ending. The bosses themselves did not prove a challenge to me (I played on the Lord of Shadow setting mind you.) But it did feel good to get rid of a certain foe.
Overall Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is alright, but it pales compared to the first game. Combat did not feel faster, or tigher, it actually felt laggy. So would I suggest fans to get this game? Sure why not, but don't let your hopes get to you. This game could have been the ultimate vampire type game, if it was given more time and polish. But I guess we'll wait and see with DLC.
This was just a lay down from a fan who has been with the series since the original NES release.
(:
fin