Will Castlevania Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate HD be $9.99, $14.99, or $19.99 for PSN?Who knows?
Jonny
Who knows?
Will Castlevania Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate HD be $9.99, $14.99, or $19.99 for PSN?Wait about 2 days after the release (sometimes not even that), search in Google for The Pirate Bay, enter your desired title in the search bar, and voila! ;)
Jonny
Wait about 2 days after the release (sometimes not even that), search in Google for The Pirate Bay, enter your desired title in the search bar, and voila! ;)
$0.00
Now you're talking!Yaay! :P
It will be released in PC at the same time, I believe.No.
Jason Sodano@Check_4900
@CastlevaniaLOS Will we be able to download MOF HD and CVLOS2 demo on the same day the LOS Collection is released?
Dave Cox @CastlevaniaLOS
@Check_4900 - Yes :)
if people knew the truth....Haha that's great. We love you, Bergaron.
This game has finished one year, only three weeks tweaked it to suit steam .. (also got some visual enhancements and increased somewhat the polygons))
https://twitter.com/CastlevaniaLOS/status/387875908347891712/photo/1
At least this time they had the decency to confirm before people buy consoles editing is something that everyone knew and had been very ill again.
So are you saying there's not much of a difference between the 3DS version and the PC/Console version? Or that there isn't much difference between the PC and the console version?Cox said they rebalanced stuff... but I don't know if I can believe him.
I think people are taking it a bit too far with the "COX LIES ABOUT EVERYTHING NO EXCEPTIONS"IMO the distrust here is still on a somewhat understandable level. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," remember? People are accusing him of crying wolf because they want to be on the safe side.
IMO the distrust here is still on a somewhat understandable level. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," remember? People are accusing him of crying wolf because they want to be on the safe side.It is understandable. How to you gain trust from another person? You be honest with them. When you start to lie, naturally, red flags start going up and people loose trust and faith in those who lie to them. Again, it's just as simple as being honest. That, and there's always the "no comment" answer, which I don't know if Cox realizes it's an option. He could've just not commented on everything he lied about and it wouldn't have soured people's faith in his word. Oddly enough, in the more recent years game developers and publishers just can't seem to "plead the 5th" regarding this(not literally, but the saying). Some feel compelled to give an answer, even if it's deceptive. In cases like this, not to sound harsh, but just shut the fuck up. It will save you from a lot of problems you might otherwise get yourself into. Not to mention it's easy as hell to do.
Why would you throw money at something you didn't like the demos of? This is why companies keep doing stuff that piss off the fans. Fans should not support games they don't like just because it's part of the series. You don't get much of anything in return for blind loyalty except more of what you don't like. If you want to give those games another chance why not just rent or borrow them from someone before investing money into something you initially didn't care for?
PC, Cox. PC. I want PC MoF.
Wasn't this hinted at by Cox when the release date for the console builds was finalized? He has a picture on his Twitter account with the game running on a laptop.
I believe that was LoS2.No, the picture he`s talking about is from mirror of fate hd.
MercurySteam still needed to allot considerable quantities of time and resources to the production of MoF-HD, even if it's no more than a graphically updated port.The game was originaly made on HD and downgraded to port it to the 3ds.
Of course, a direct console translation could certainly cut costs compared to a full remake, and it might turn out to be an intelligent choice for MS to rake up whatever remaining sales they can muster.
But all in all, this effort seems less than essential, especially when the focus of both MS and the media lies on the LoS sequel. For one, I'm not sure if there will be enough of an audience for it. An enhanced version of MoF is most likely to appeal to those who appreciated it in the first place, but they aren't as numerous as Konami might have hoped. As for the LoS console gamers who hadn't the opportunity to test MoF, their numbers are even fewer, and there's no guarantee they'll enjoy a 2.5D spin-off as much as the original. So I'm not sure to what extent they'll be able to profit from it.
And for the PC port, it certainly seems far-fetched...
The game was originaly made on HD and downgraded to port it to the 3ds.Ah. I wasn't aware of that.
Ah. I wasn't aware of that.Exactly.
So MercurySteam is essentially releasing a version they'd already developed? That makes much more sense.
They already had the game running on PC. They're likely trying to recoup their losses on the 3DS version, by releasing it on a consoles anyone who liked the first game would likely have. It's fairly inexpensive considering the way they went about it.Nintendo probably approached them asking for a handheld Castlevania, considering 3DS situation at the start was terrible.
Remember that they're looking for the broader audience here. The kinds of people they want to pander to are Xbox and PS owners, not "kiddie" Nintendo. 3DS isn't in line with their target demographic. They pissed the old fans off, the ones who would traditionally have a 3DS and buy a sidescrolling platformer title, and they released it on the system least likely for any of their new fans to own.
Honestly, it's a smart move on their part, trying to recoup as much on it as they can.
Barrels now only take 2 hit to break...Not much of an improvement if you ask me. :P
No PSN? :'(
So why does this get a port but there's still no Console Dracula X Chronicles?Different times, and probably DXC wasn't built on HD assets
Also, playing on hard mode removes boss checkpoints, guess im playing hard mode on my first go.
Hnnnnnnnng, can this be toggled on normal, or must I beef up the difficulty?
How much are they asking for this? And has a PC port been confirmed or no? If there's no PC version maybe I'll just pony up and get it on PSN.If you really must, the game's XBLA price is $14.99. And the PC port has essentially been confirmed, but it won't be immediate.
Interesting. It seems MoF-HD, apart from acting as a graphical update, tried to fix a few of the the original's most glaring problems. And I'll admit that the cutscene lip-synching is a welcome change. But MoF still remains fundamentally unimproved.
As for the QTE's and the checkpointing: the finisher QTE's have disappeared, but those within the battles remain. And choosing hard mode shouldn't be a requirement to avoid a piece of particularly poor game design. Even so, the ridiculously short checkpoint intervals remain. Not what I would call a revolution.
If you really must, the game's XBLA price is $14.99. And the PC port has essentially been confirmed, but it won't be immediate.
So why does this get a port but there's still no Console Dracula X Chronicles?
I just put down my pre-order for the CE, with MOFHD included. Impressive to see a bit more positive words with the re-release, I read that the 3DS edition has quite a few hiccups. Hmm curious how they'll have the game setup. Maybe on one of the discs with the LOS2 demo? Curious how much data will be on the game disc. How is the direct to download edition? anything special unlocked?
I just put down my pre-order for the CE, with MOFHD included. Impressive to see a bit more positive words with the re-release, I read that the 3DS edition has quite a few hiccups. Hmm curious how they'll have the game setup. Maybe on one of the discs with the LOS2 demo? Curious how much data will be on the game disc. How is the direct to download edition? anything special unlocked?
I hope you can buy just MOF HD on psn store. I dont want to buy LOS again.It will be on PSN today for $15 with the LOS2 demo same as x360 last week.
that's cheap as fuckWell I do think 3 discs is too much
I'm curious how this version is gonna perform, sales-wise. Do you think it's gonna do better or worse than the 3DS one? Something tells me that it might sell a little better. Dunno. It's more accessible, cost less, reaches more people and so on. But we're probably not talking hundreds of thousands here, but possibly decent enough.
Well I do think 3 discs is too muchAt least it's effort.
I'm curious how this version is gonna perform, sales-wise. Do you think it's gonna do better or worse than the 3DS one? Something tells me that it might sell a little better. Dunno. It's more accessible, cost less, reaches more people and so on. But we're probably not talking hundreds of thousands here, but possibly decent enough.It will do worse, naturally. Most of those truly interested in Mirror of Fate will have already bought it for the 3DS. The audience MoF-HD is intended for is extremely small: gamers whose console-only focus didn't allow them to experience a handheld MoF, but are willing to give it a try. And, by extension, gamers who loved MoF so much on the 3DS that they'll want to buy it remastered on consoles.
I'm highly considering buying MoF on my PS3..I'll have to ask you that question as well.
What's wrong with me?
It will do worse, naturally. Most of those truly interested in Mirror of Fate will have already bought it for the 3DS. The audience MoF-HD is intended for is extremely small: gamers whose console-only focus didn't allow them to experience a handheld MoF, but are willing to give it a try. And, by extension, gamers who loved MoF so much on the 3DS that they'll want to buy it remastered on consoles.
Not many people fit either category.
I'm highly considering buying MoF on my PS3..(http://i.imgur.com/379ch.gif)
What's wrong with me?
I'm highly considering buying MoF on my PS3..
What's wrong with me?
It will do worse, naturally. Most of those truly interested in Mirror of Fate will have already bought it for the 3DS. The audience MoF-HD is intended for is extremely small: gamers whose console-only focus didn't allow them to experience a handheld MoF, but are willing to give it a try. And, by extension, gamers who loved MoF so much on the 3DS that they'll want to buy it remastered on consoles.
Not many people fit either category.
I'll have to ask you that question as well.
These are dark times.
Still.. $15 is a lot of money for a Cox branded title at least. Maybe I'm just craving a 2D Castlevania title after so long.
I'm highly considering buying MoF on my PS3..You're scaring me, Rugal...
What's wrong with me?
Now, I could be wrong, but I think the $15 price point and the more accessible release will help the game be more successful than it was on 3DS.
So, accessibilty + lower price + bigger install base(s) = possibility of bigger sales. And I say 'possibility' cause I'm not psychic. But neither are you, I'd imagine?You might both be right. I'm not psychic either, as you've so shrewdly realized.
These are dark times.Poor soul. Left alone and helpless by Konami's cruel new sleight of hand, you are indeed famished for a decent 2D title. And yet you must heed my warning: Mirror of Fate is a grim experience indeed. Hold back, I beseech you -- do not fall prey to temptation; do not part so easily from your dignity.
Still.. $15 is a lot of money for a Cox branded title at least. Maybe I'm just craving a 2D Castlevania title after so long.
Don't listen to this fuddy-duddy.Hehehe. No offense to anyone, of course. I was being excessively dramatic for the occasion.
Fun game. Must buy. GoaT.
Hehehe. No offense to anyone, of course. I was being excessively dramatic for the occasion.
I still don't recommend Mirror of Fate, though. And definitely not GoaT.
I'm getting more enjoyment out of MOF on ps3 than i did on 3ds.
I'm not going to sit here and say MOF is a great game, but it's worth the money now.
I would say that it's at least as good as HOD as a downloadable game.
If Mirror of Fate wasn't good on the 3DS, it won't be good on consoles. An HD conversion won't change that, nor will a halfhearted effort at fixing a few of the game's mistakes.
By porting its unsuccessful handheld game to consoles, giving it a graphical update, performing some minor cleanup, and slapping on the LoS2 demo, MS is presenting Mirror-HD as an entirely new game. I simply don't buy these types of strategic marketing tricks.
I don't think they're trying to market it as a new game. They're just remarketing the game to all of the non-handheld, non-Nintendo gamers that didn't pick it up the first time. Obviously if you didn't like the gameplay you won't love the HD remake or anything, but I think you underestimate the # of LoS fans that skipped MoF on the 3DS because it was an entirely different console.You're probably right.
That's probably the biggest mistake they made: releasing a game's pseudo-sequel on a different console in a different market to the group of fans most hostile to the remake. The HD remake clearly isn't supposed to be an apology, it's just a rerelease for a different market.
You're probably right.
Even so, Mirror of Fate HD was still marketed as a marginally new experience. With its graphical enhancements and the few minor tweaks to its gameplay, it was presented as an anticipated, console-quality remix of a great 3DS title, instead of being shown as the last-ditch market relocalization of an unsuccessful handheld spin-off it actually was.
That's what I blame most about MoF-HD; it feels as if too much effort was spent on the unnecessary polishing and further distribution of a fundamentally mediocre game, especially since the project seems to have been undertaken for purely economic reasons.
I know it's an unpopular opinion here, but I don't think the game is fundamentally mediocre. You act like something needed to be fixed, but I know that a enough people, myself included, like it the way it is.
Some people actually liked the game in its entirety, believe it or not.
Well, that's my opinion, of course. I'm not about to force anyone to subscribe to it.
I know it's an unpopular opinion here, but I don't think the game is fundamentally mediocre. You act like something needed to be fixed, but I know that a enough people, myself included, like it the way it is.
Some people actually liked the game in its entirety, believe it or not.
MoF is worse than LoS in every single fucking way, EXCEPT the Castlevania feel. 6/10 game. The type of game I'll play once and never play again.
MoF is worse than LoS in every single fucking way, EXCEPT the Castlevania feel. 6/10 game. The type of game I'll play once and never play again.
Couldn't have put it better myself. MOF just.... has nothing to come back to. Not even the final bosses, which all the Metroidvanias let you fight again if you so wished.
I'm also very annoyed with the new Simon Belmont design. Pretty much everything about him bothers me. Simon is my boy, and they made him into someone I dislike.What's wrong with his design? Personally, I loved it, it was like a fusion of Ayami kojima and classic Simon elements. He was a muscular barbarian, but had the fur collar and red hair.
What's wrong with his design?*cough*WWE Belt*cough* :P
Im really digging this game. It makes me sad how many people are so busy hating the game for what it isn't to see the game for what it is. I actually really love the gameplay. The jumps are a bit floaty, but the platforming is still addictive and fun. Especially Alucard and Trevor with the double jumps and floating.
The atmosphere is great as well. Really nice use of light. And there's a really interesting painting-like quality to the textures. It just has a really nice mood and character.
And I actually like the music as well. A bit repetitive at times but what's there is good. Especially the themes and the ambient tracks.
Overall I'd give it a 7.5 or 8 out of 10. Fun times, but would have liked more exploration and hidden goodies.
I'm enjoying your let's play. Just wanted to let you know.
Just been doing some research on how many things they wanted to do with MoF. Its amazing it could have been a spinoff if it does really well. I think this new CV chapter is really pushing things to new levels we weren't capable of before. I love it!
I know this might invite "OMG LORDS OF SHADOW RIP OFF GOD OF WAR" But Simon Belmont in this game is Kratos without his villany and douchebaggery. I still like his character and I think he is welcome contrast to all the most of nobler holier then thou Belmont heroes in all the series. I laughed at Succubus scene where Simon was like yeah like "Yeah I am totally going with this."
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/b7ffed5c634fd26a162f35ddee9e7390/tumblr_mkuk9vnplk1rj5jexo1_500.jpg)
I love Simon's personality. He's rough, brutish, and single-minded, which makes sense for the character given his current backstory. He's understandably ignorant of the greater goings on, growing up in the wilderness from a young age, and he hasn't been trained from birth by elite warriors, but that doesn't keep him from being determined enough to march right into Dracula's castle and give him the finger.Absolutlly agree with this...
It was a nice change from the "noble" Belmont trope, which Trevor filled just fine. Adds a little personality.
.Yep, Simon as a Barbarian was the way it should be, we didn't need another moody hero, and even less with simon as he was a barbarian in the beginnig. It also made his ending more emotional. Simon, Dracula and Trevor have been nailed in this series.
I thought people loved new Simon, it was like the one thing unanimously agreed upon by the majority of the fanbase that was good about MoF, despite the split feelings about the LoS saga as a whole. All of a sudden I'm seeing more and more dislike for new Simon popping up all over.I pretty much love all of the new designs for the Belmonts and Alucard, but you really can never please everyone.
It was a nice change from the "noble" Belmont trope, which Trevor filled just fine. Adds a little personality.But that's just the thing; Simon didn't have any personality. Just like every one of Mirror of Fate's protagonists, he wasn't given any true character. In the end, I don't mind Simon's redesign in itself as much as the dirt-poor writing and characterization that went into the game he was cast in. Instead of giving us some compelling insight into Simon's nature and purpose, Mirror of Fate simply relies on empty dialogue and made-to-order clichés to develop its disappointingly insubstantial story.
But that's just the thing; Simon didn't have any personality. Just like every one of Mirror of Fate's protagonists, he wasn't given any true character. I don't mind Simon's redesign in itself as much as the dirt-poor writing and characterization that went into the game he was cast in. Instead giving us some compelling insight into Simon's nature and purpose, Mirror of Fate simply relies on empty dialogue and made-to-order clichés to develop its disappointingly insubstantial story.
When exactly does this come out for PC?
So it was kind of like every side-scrolling Castlevania ever?No.
When exactly does this come out for PC?
No.
If the plot elements of many Castlevania titles seemed relatively scarce, they were always judiciously presented, and developed just enough of a story to keep the game in motion and allow a more focused approach towards its gameplay aspects.
In other words, side-scrolling Castlevania games didn't always say much, but they always said enough. There's a difference between intentional narrative brevity and poor narrative construction. Mirror of Fate tried to compensate for its comparatively modest plot line by artificially bolstering its narrative with scores of strangely convoluted exchanges and recurrent dramatic platitudes -- and it ultimately stumbles over its unnecessarily cumbersome structure. To put it simply, MoF tried to say too little with too many words -- and ends up getting tongue-tied.
I finished Mirror of Fate without caring in the least for its characters. And that, even in a Castlevania game, is unacceptable.
That's completely nonsense.It isn't an excuse. If it was, almost every Castlevania game would have a considerable number of excuses to make. ;D
Claiming the earlier games were "judiciously presented" as an excuse for them being scant
(...) while at the same time claiming that MoF did nothing to establish Simon's (or any character's) personality is silly. Alucard in SotN is somehow more developed than Alucard in MoF, despite the fact that all we really learn from SotN is that Alucard is a half-vampire who favors his human side and will fight his father despite their blood relationship?Let's take a look.
And there's not "scores" of cutscenes in MoF. There's maybe six per character, all together equaling 22 minutes in a 9 hour game (That's 4%), and individually they're pretty brief, with very few lines actually said outside of a select few.You're right; there aren't "scores" of cutscenes in MoF. It's a poor choice of a word. Essentially, I'd meant that many cutscenes felt entirely unnecessary.
EDIT:It's not wonderful writing, but it isn't terrible, either. For a GBA Castlevania game, it's actually rather good.
castlevania aria of sorrow - cutscene dracula reborn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvqkwgqk-bU#)
I mean, this isn't exactly wonderful writing.
My phone deleted my rather lengthy response, which killed my desire to continue this discussion.And so it did. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself in that situation. ;D
So just wanted to let you know I read your response, and agree to disagree.Right. It's the best way to put an end to this discussion.
And so it did. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself in that situation. ;D
Right. It's the best way to put an end to this discussion.
In any case, I couldn't possibly criticize you for enjoying a game -- that would be utterly pointless. I was only sharing what I'd thought of it.
If Mirror of Fate worked for you, well, that's a rather good thing -- after all, it's one of the reasons for which it was conceived in the first place.
It isn't an excuse. If it was, almost every Castlevania game would have a considerable amount of excuses to make. ;DThis post should be put on a fucking pedestal.
The plot elements in most Castlevania titles were indeed scant, but they always sufficed. They managed to build a simple, acceptable story that always proved perfectly adequate in driving the game forward. And that was all that ever mattered; Castlevania never needed an overabundant plot or a groundbreaking narrative, since plot and narrative was never considered priorities. CV titles excelled in other areas, so developers judiciously went for brevity and simplicity, in a way they knew would not prejudice the game itself.
Now, would Castlevania be any better off with a deeper, more compelling story? Probably. Lords of Shadow pulled it off magnificently, and I wouldn't enjoy the title nearly as much without it were it to dissapear. But the fact is that Castlevania never really "suffered" from its absence.
^ Can you make a post without swearing, giving me cancer out of hyperbole or being so loud? Jeez.No.
No.Just what I thought
That's what I get for taking 60 minutes to finish a post XDI always seem to forget to set the login time to an arbitrary 5 hours to keep this from happening. So I've gotten into the habit of continuously copying my posts while I write, so that the final result doesn't get lost when I'm suddenly logged out after 60 minutes.
^ Can you make a post without swearing, giving me cancer out of hyperbole or being so loud? Jeez.
No.Hehehe...
Lol every time Maedhros posts something, it makes me hope his computer or his fingers break so he wont' be able to post his lunacy in public. xDI wouldn't say that. Maedhros seems to have his own set of posting standards, and so far he's done everything to live up to them. I find that admirable. Don't you? ;D
Lol every time Maedhros posts something, it makes me hope his computer or his fingers break so he wont' be able to post his lunacy in public. xDI imagine you guys dying the most terrible deaths everytime you guys posts like anything LoS related is perfect or when I see you guys protecting yourselves with upvoting.
Or none of us could internet fight and we can just stay on topic.Too bad MoF doesn't do any of both great. It's worse than LoS in every aspect as I said back there, IMO. Well, the castle is cool I guess...
In regards to story, though, I have to agree with Ahasverus. I don't see why you can't have a narrative AND solid gameplay. It's not like they're mutually exclusive.
I imagine you guys dying the most terrible deaths everytime you guys posts like anything LoS related is perfect or when I see you guys protecting yourselves with upvoting.
This is completely out of topic by the way, but if you guys want to internet fight, hell, why not. It's not like I have anything better to do anyway.
Or none of us could internet fight and we can just stay on topic.
I've reached the Nightwatchman. I'm surprised though, as I think that they've removed his dialogue when he enters in the HD version as opposed to in the 3DS version. Anyone else spotted this? Does it happen elsewhere as well?
This time it was a rather significant line which was omitted: Simon proclaiming "This is the combat cross my father carried!' as he finds it.
Do I hear "Ghostly theatre" in the theatre area?no
Am I having metroidvania withdrawals?yes
Am I hallucinating?not the only one, playing MoF with LoI themes in the background is good form sir
Mirror of Fate is a lesson in what this series is capable of, retracing its steps.Yup. Mirror of Fate is a true lesson in how deeply this series is capable of disappointing.
Do I hear "Ghostly theatre" in the theatre area? Am I having metroidvania withdrawals? Am I hallucinating?Well, that certainly doesn't surprise me. After all, it's the only thing Mirror of Fate has ever managed to achieve -- it would sharpen those nagging pangs of regret one might feel for the solidity of those reliable Metroidvania outings. You know -- those games that were actually good?
And, uh... music? Did someone actually say 'music'? In Mirror of Fate? Really? Well, that's remarkable...
I mean, what music? Where could you possibly have found music? Was there a place I didn't look? I tried, you know; I really did. But I didn't hear any; honestly, I didn't. Well, not unless I strained my ears -- but even then, the funny sounds I heard couldn't possibly have been part of any actual form of music... could they?
Although I have heard that MS is about to release a MoF soundtrack. So I guess some music must have been added along with the HD version. Yes, that's the most plausible explanation.
I think I might be misunderstanding what you're trying to say... Are you saying just because you don't like a certain kind of music it isn't music?Just a way of saying that Mirror of Fate's music was particularly nondescript.
Problem with MoF is it had very little music. It manages to impressively have LESS music than LoS did.
Problem with MoF is it had very little music. It manages to impressively have LESS music than LoS did.
Yeah, but "Reaver" is the best song ever.
IMO, of course.
That will forever be my biggest problem with LoS and MoF; They took the one thing that was NEVER broken in Castlevania - the music - and "fixed" it. The more I think about it the more absurd it becomes.But isn't that the whole thing about reboots? Change EVERYTHING, even the things that worked(hell, even if those things are a big reason the franchise is interesting or popular). That happens in WAY to many movies, actually. The whole dropping of what made a franchise unique because who ever gets the reins thinks "they know better". I'm still fuckin' pissed over what happened with my beloved A Nightmare on Elm Street series because of that asshat music video director... >:(
"The catchy music was always praised in Castlevania, and arguably one of the most defining and memorable things about the entire franchise. So let's get rid of it completely! Yes, that's an excellent idea!"
Not that the new music is bad, but I can't even tell most of it apart. Does MoF have two tracks or twentytwo? I have absolutely no idea.
Mirror of Fate has more melodic music than LoSMelodic? Mirror of Fate's music, melodic? Is that some kind of a joke? There isn't a single melodic line in the entire MoF soundtrack. As it's stands, monopolized by score upon interminable score of those muted, brooding, aimless string harmonies -- which I'd actually have enjoyed had they not completely saturated the entire game.
Melodic? Mirror of Fate's music, melodic? Is that some kind of a joke? There isn't a single melodic line in the entire MoF soundtrack. As it's stands, monopolized by score upon interminable score of those muted, brooding, aimless string harmonies -- which I'd actually have enjoyed had they not completely saturated the entire game.
Unless, of course, you take into account the game's abominably repetitive battle tracks --
Castlevania: - Lord of Shadow - Mirror of Fate - Combats/Bosses Themes ☿ HD ☿ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzviTu2rgL4#)
Listen to all 42 excruciating minutes of it. Then tell me how melodic MoF's soundtrack is.
I can understand Araujo was going for atmosphere, and I can tell by some of his music that he's a talented composer; but that doesn't change the fact that Mirror of Fate's soundtrack (and LoS's by extension) was abysmally poor.
Damn it! The first time Castlevania was ever blessed a true orchestra, and it has to bring about the worst music in the series' history. I simply can't understand it.
What in heavens was so wrong with CV music -- so wrong that MS felt compelled to change it? What tragic inanity on their part pushed Konami towards such an idiotic move? What... How.........
And yet I'm pretty sure LoS is the only Castlevania game with a soundtrack that has won an award.I don't think awards mean much. At least not to me. It's nice to get praised for something you do, but it's not a definitive sign of superiority in one's field, nor does it mean everything that one individual will do will be of great quality. And yeah, in the end, what I feel is MORE important is the way art(be it movies, art pieces, music or the such) is accepted by the individual, common man, not some acadamy of trained scholars. It's the whole, "I might not know art, but I know what I like." bit. And that does boil down to opinions and taste, but IMO, that is far more important than someone's technical skills or pretentious praise by the field's "elites".
Melodic? Mirror of Fate's music, melodic? Is that some kind of a joke?It's not my fault you have a musical attention span of 3 seconds. There are many and beautiful melodies, sorry if it doesn't fit your ringtone "must be catchy in the 3 first miliseconds" standard.
I don't think awards mean much. At least not to me. It's nice to get praised for something you do, but it's not a definitive sign of superiority in one's field, nor does it mean everything that one individual will do will be of great quality. And yeah, in the end, what I feel is MORE important is the way art(be it movies, art pieces, music or the such) is accepted by the individual, common man, not some acadamy of trained scholars. It's the whole, "I might not know art, but I know what I like." bit. And that does boil down to opinions and taste, but IMO, that is far more important than someone's technical skills or pretentious praise by the field's "elites".
I know you're enjoying overreactingWell, maybe I was enjoying myself then. Maybe I wasn't. But it's certainly an interesting experience, coming back to a day-old post and asking yourself -- "how could I possibly have posted this?" And I'll admit it's even more fun to see the short, inflamed responses that pop up after a particularly "outrageous" post. Although I don't think mine was so extreme... or was it?
It's not my fault you have a musical attention span of 3 seconds. There are many and beautiful melodies, sorry if it doesn't fit your ringtone "must be catchy in the 3 first miliseconds" standard.And Ahasverus: I think I'll be bold enough to suggest, in all good humor, that my musical span of attention is ever so slightly more expansive than you've made it out to be. I have, after all, been a classical musician and occasional concertist for the past fifteen years. ;D
And yet I'm pretty sure LoS is the only Castlevania game with a soundtrack that has won an award.That's a moot point.
And Ahasverus: I think I'll be bold enough to suggest, in all good humor, that my musical span of attention is ever so slightly more expansive than you've made it out to be. I have, after all, been a classical musician and occasional concertist for the past fifteen years. ;D
i think it's one of the worst CV soundtracks.
I bet if Kojima composed it, you and some of the other folks who claim it's the worst thing ever would be falling all over yourselves to say how great her "bold new direction" is. :rollseyes:I don't even care about Kojima. If it's like anything from CV 1 to before LoS, I'll like it.
I bet if Kojima composed it, you and some of the other folks who claim it's the worst thing ever would be falling all over yourselves to say how great her "bold new direction" is. :rollseyes:
That would seem to suggest that people who take that position wouldn't like soundtracks not composed by (I'm presuming you meant to say) Yamane Michiru, would not like previous soundtracks either.
He is clearly an advocate for Castlevania IV's soundtrack, which Yamane had no part in. I also follow suit.
Oscar Araujo made music that does not fit with videos games, as a Castlevania title or in general. It is just a bad choice of style. On top of that, it is a very bland soundtrack.
I'm sure Intersection and others who hold a similar position, do not hate the old soundtracks. In fact many on 'that side' are highly supportive of the original pre-Yamane sound tracks, as well as Yamane's own.
If the same OST that LoS used was used with a GoW game, would you still say it "doesn't fit with video games?"
Stop pretending to be thick and like you don't know what I'm talking about.
There are folks here who take any opportunity they can to hate anything LoS just because it's LoS. Swap out Yamane with *insert pre-LoS CV composer* and the point still remains.
If LoS' OST was used with a GoW game, would you still say that Araujo's style doesn't fit with video games? Is MoF the best CV OST out there? No, but it's not the worst either.
Castlevania - NES Orchestration (Symphony) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dz6Xy_5Q6I#)
So, question about the plot to MoF.You're correct. There's nothing in Mirror of Fate to suggest that our dumb, lumbering Simon came to understand anything about his own origins. His final exchange with Alucard actually does something to confirm this. Of course, Mirror of Fate's dialogue made so little sense in the end that it's rather had to tell -- but we'll have to get on with what we know.
In the cutscenes where you meet Dracula in both Acts I and II, Simon says, "It cannot be!" when Alucard walks into the room. Now, see, I'm assuming he says this because he just discovered that Alucard is the son of Dracula, and I guess Simon doesn't know about their relation to the Prince of Darkness. As well, Simon never actually learns who Alucard really is. Can someone actually confirm for me whether or not the conclusion I've come to is correct?
I don't mind the game's plot was predictable and simple. I found it was more akin to the old Metroidvania titles.Well, at least the old Metroidvania plots didn't pretend to be masterpieces. They told us what they needed to tell, and that was all -- never forced us to take them seriously. MoF's story was a convoluted, incomprehensible mess, and still it felt the need to rival with Shakespeare...
As for the game, I think it probably would have been better if it was the same length, but the entire game focused around Simon. It probably would have made the story flow better, rather than jumping between characters.Agreed. It would have made the plot considerably easier to follow.
Of course, Mirror of Fate's dialogue made so little sense in the end that it's rather had to tell.The dialogue made perfect sense to me, save for that line. I especially liked the "Join me in remaking this world." SotN reference that they threw in and made flow with the dialogue (unlike the "What is a man" reference in LoS2 that was really hamfisted into the script).
Well, at least the old Metroidvania plots didn't pretend to be masterpieces. They told us what they needed to tell, and that was all -- never forced us to take them seriously. MoF's story was a convoluted, incomprehensible mess, and still it felt the need to rival with Shakespeare...I don't exactly know what you mean by this. MoF's plot was pretty easy to follow, and I enjoyed the way it presented itself. It was a very well done story (in my opinion). I just saw ways it could have been done better, like I do with all games.
If I remember correctly, you open the gate from the other side. Just go around.
I actually liked the plot and the dialogue in this game. I really don't get why people are shitting on itwell, for one.. why is the "Lost Soul" even in the game? Take out all the plot points containing the Lost Soul/mirror aspects and things would've been the same regardless. Trevor would've still failed and become Alucard, Simon would've still went to the castle and discovered his father's Combat Cross, etc. The plot could've proceeded exactly the same without the "mirror."
well, for one.. why is the "Lost Soul" even in the game? Take out all the plot points containing the Lost Soul/mirror aspects and things would've been the same regardless. Trevor would've still failed and become Alucard, Simon would've still went to the castle and discovered his father's Combat Cross, etc. The plot could've proceeded exactly the same without the "mirror."
that';s why i say despite St. Germain being a "useless" character in CoD, too, at least he made up for it by having personality and was somewhat amusing to watch, even gave us a boss fight. The Lost Soul, however, is just... there. has no purpose, really
well, for one.. why is the "Lost Soul" even in the game? Take out all the plot points containing the Lost Soul/mirror aspects and things would've been the same regardless. Trevor would've still failed and become Alucard, Simon would've still went to the castle and discovered his father's Combat Cross, etc. The plot could've proceeded exactly the same without the "mirror."
that';s why i say despite St. Germain being a "useless" character in CoD, too, at least he made up for it by having personality and was somewhat amusing to watch, even gave us a boss fight. The Lost Soul, however, is just... there. has no purpose, really
The Lost Soul is basically a character manifestation of the theme of "fate" which means that if he isn't expanded upon in LoS2, then, yeah, you're exactly right.
I mean, I think its purpose was to make the concept that this all had to happen a little more concrete, to show that there is a force actually working to make "fate" happen as it is "supposed" to. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be tool/agent of the Brotherhood/God, but if they just drop it after MoF, then what's the point of introducing it in the first place?
What I wonder is why they even made him talk in the first place in Trevor's Act. He had very few lines and never even talked at all in the rest of the game. I think The Lost Soul was much better has a "mystical" type when he didn't speak, rather than your typical "you cannot change fate" types when he did speak.
Trevor broke his mouth, So he couldnt speak after that.
well, for one.. why is the "Lost Soul" even in the game? Take out all the plot points containing the Lost Soul/mirror aspects and things would've been the same regardless. Trevor would've still failed and become Alucard, Simon would've still went to the castle and discovered his father's Combat Cross, etc. The plot could've proceeded exactly the same without the "mirror."Saint Germain is awesome, it was a sin that IGA, as always, didn't give a damn and threw it to the bargain bin.
that';s why i say despite St. Germain being a "useless" character in CoD, too, at least he made up for it by having personality and was somewhat amusing to watch, even gave us a boss fight. The Lost Soul, however, is just... there. has no purpose, really
GameFAQs finally accepted my god damn review...
GameFAQs finally accepted my god damn review for Mirror of Fate HD (http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps3/727961-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-hd/reviews/review-156415). Only took a week. Anyone interested in reading?So I've read through it -- it's an interesting review. I don't agree with any of it, of course, but it's still a good effort. ;D
So I've read through it -- it's an interesting review. I don't agree with any of it, of course, but it's still a good effort. ;DI agree with this. 10/10 review of the game.
Taking time to detail your opinion is always worthwhile.
Although I'll have to bring up a few of the parts that drew my attention:
Where did you find "quite a bit of enemy variety"? There are only thirty-four enemies in the entire game.
What exactly do you mean by "exploration"? You're citing platforming abilities as "exploration moves", but the platforming sections were as linear as they could get.
What "replay value" could there possibly be in Mirror of Fate to warrant a 9/10? Once you've finished the game in itself, you'll have little to no reason to return to it -- the only power-ups you'll ever find are your generic health up/magic up/XP/add weapon slot upgrades, and the only exploration offered is either ridiculously shallow or massive and unwarranted. Otherwise, there are no items to speak of, no interesting abilities past your whip combos, and the 100% mark gives you a disappointingly cutscene...
Oh, and I'm surprised you found the ending "tear-jerking". Granted, it's the only well-acted scene in the entire game, but this ending was such an obvious one, and was telegraphed so often throughout the game that I was just staring blankly into the screen by the time I'd finally gotten to it.
Where did you find "quite a bit of enemy variety"? There are only thirty-four enemies in the entire game.
What exactly do you mean by "exploration"? You're citing platforming abilities as "exploration moves", but the platforming sections were as linear as they could get.
What "replay value" could there possibly be in Mirror of Fate to warrant a 9/10? Once you've finished the game in itself, you'll have little to no reason to return to it -- the only power-ups you'll ever find are your generic health up/magic up/XP/add weapon slot upgrades, and the only exploration offered is either ridiculously shallow or massive and unwarranted. Otherwise, there are no items to speak of, no interesting abilities past your whip combos, and the 100% mark gives you a disappointingly cutscene...
Oh, and I'm surprised you found the ending "tear-jerking". Granted, it's the only well-acted scene in the entire game, but this ending was such an obvious one, and was telegraphed so often throughout the game that I was just staring blankly into the screen by the time I'd finally gotten to it.
I don't know why this made me laugh so much...! ;D
Liked the review though!
So who's just playing it on PC? I'm kinda liking it. THe atmosphere is top notch and the PC graphics help A LOT.Currently installing. May try this version tomorrow. :)
What "replay value" could there possibly be in Mirror of Fate to warrant a 9/10? Once you've finished the game in itself, you'll have little to no reason to return to it -- the only power-ups you'll ever find are your generic health up/magic up/XP/add weapon slot upgrades, and the only exploration offered is either ridiculously shallow or massive and unwarranted. Otherwise, there are no items to speak of, no interesting abilities past your whip combos, and the 100% mark gives you a disappointingly cutscene...
- Walks too fast to appreciate the backgrounds normally.You can run, and you can walk. walking is pretty slow enough, imo.
The way the player gravitates toward grapple points is dumb looking. There is way too much leeway, and the gaps aren't properly spaced.It's not just grapple points, pretty much anything you have to jump to. ledges, magnetic rails, etx, sometimes you feel like you really shouldn't have made that jump.
Alucard gave you annoying Puzzles
not sure why people complain about them. Puzzles were the best part of LoS1.
So what you're saying is, I played the best part of the game and should stop now?
If you mean shit like the Chess board, then;Chess board is not a puzzle. It's a minigame. And you can skip it, then replay it at your own leisure from the menu.
NO.
Overall im actually liking mof better than los2 believe it or not.
Imo, Revelations dlc > MoF = LoS > LoS2
There's just something about mof that i can't hate.
I'm surprisingly liking MoF very much. It's only sin is the "pause" after landing a jump and some collision issues. Like how every "castle hazard" has an explanation.
Even Dracula feels pretty fleshed out, and Trevor's ending is just plain beautiful. Being Gabriel truly is suffering.
Then I saw the credits and realized why MoF is so different from loS1 and 2. 2 especially, since MoF still more or less fits with 1.
Alvarez has NO involvement! The director and one of the writers, of MoF, is Jose Luis Márquez.
While I know MS has said they will make no more CV games... If they did make one or two more, i'd want that guy back. He knew what he was doing.
Carlyle's voice acting was gold in that scene.Didnt they say that Carlyle was actually crying while doing the voicework in that scene? or was that a LoS1 thing?
If I recall correctly, it was MS team B that was busy with MoF while team A was doing LoS2. If team B was in charge of LoS2, then it would have fared better, I suppose.
Didnt they say that Carlyle was actually crying while doing the voicework in that scene? or was that a LoS1 thing?Both IIRC.
I'm not the only one who feels that some of his voicework in LoS2 sort of falls flat am I? after LoS1 and MoF, Some of his lines in LoS2 just don't feel right. They feel.. I don't know... forced. maybe it;'s the facial expressions not going well with the tone, but there's just something about some of them.
Carmilla's wing scene with Marie was 10/10 though, for sure.
I'm not the only one who feels that some of his voicework in LoS2 sort of falls flat am I? after LoS1 and MoF, Some of his lines in LoS2 just don't feel right. They feel.. I don't know... forced. maybe it;'s the facial expressions not going well with the tone, but there's just something about some of them.
Carmilla's wing scene with Marie was 10/10 though, for sure.
I thought Carlyle was pretty spectacular throughout, and obviously McElhone was great in the big Marie scene, but yeah, I'd have to agree with you.
I thought Stewart did really well in his big boss scene, but otherwise his performance was a bit flat, which about sums up everyone else's performances. Isaacs was especially disappointing because of how great he was in LoS1
isaacs woulda made a great voice for dracula otherwisemaybe next Castlevania imagining.
maybe next Castlevania imagining.
Didnt they say that Carlyle was actually crying while doing the voicework in that scene?Yeah but I think that was just a bs marketing thing to hype people up, given his utterly uninterested performance in LoS2.
I'm not the only one who feels that some of his voicework in LoS2 sort of falls flat am I? after LoS1 and MoF, Some of his lines in LoS2 just don't feel right. They feel.. I don't know... forced. maybe it;'s the facial expressions not going well with the tone, but there's just something about some of them.
Carmilla's wing scene with Marie was 10/10 though, for sure.
Carlyle was super fantastic in 2.I'm realizing that LoS2 didn't have any semblance of a clock tower.
But yeah, Jose Luis Marquez GETS Castlevania, MoF and Revelations DLC are natural evolutions of the series (BOTH old and new) instead of a fix for what wasn't broken. And with that I include things of LoS1 that weren't broken but Alvarez messed up anyway.
I'm realizing that LoS2 didn't have any semblance of a clock tower.
Even MoF had a clocktower.
In LOS2, I found the lack of a chapel disturbing.Agreed, although I can forgive it since the Modern sections covered that area. You had Victor's church, and the basilica.
You know.... after all the hate I saw slung around here and all the reviews I read, I expected this game to be as much of a letdown as LOS2 and its DLC was.
.......... boy was I glad to be proved WRONG! This game is an 8 hour long 2.5D platforming romp thru Castlevania that will make your manly bits tingle! Oh sure, the graphics could have been a bit better (more particles, more effects, etc.) and yes they use the same stupid little backtracking to get items gimmick to extend game time (especially with Simon), but overall this game was LOADS of fun and very well done. I beat it on normal, and I am now on hard immediately after.
If only they made 2d platformers all this long and put this much effort into them; then maybe Konami would actually make some good money off of them.
Agreed, although I can forgive it since the Modern sections covered that area. You had Victor's church, and the basilica.
Only areas Castlevania gave us were
- Ballrooms and a weird waterway
-Library and outdoor terrace
-catacombs/prison
-Gardens
-Toymaker's theater
-outdoor ruins location
then Alucard's game gives us
-haunted cursed wing
-Guest house
All nice and good, but a Clocktower at LEAST would have been nice. I guess City of the damned sort of fits that role, what with chains and gears and shit everywhere
EDIT:
Also, Artwork suggests that scrapped areas include a Castle sewer, a castle Laboratory, and a torture chamber