Topic: I knew it! Castlevania: Lords of Shadow!(SPOILERS HERE, PLZ USE THE SPOILER TAG)

[e105beta]

Seriously?? They turned him into a generic megalomaniac Darwinist instead of the cunning Chessmaster he was in previous games, then killed him off in a pretty cheap way that was totally not befitting a antagonist of his caliber.

Argg....

I do think his death was pretty cheap, especially considering how unbeatable they made him seem at first. That's what I liked, that he was always in control, up until the very end that its.

One other thing I noticed. In the second trailer, right after the anonymous villain says "I will wipe the name of Belmont from this earth... Forever!", you can distinctly hear the sound of some glass shattering. My guess? Dracula throwing his requisite wineglass full of blood!

That's impossible. This isn't Castlevania, it's God of the Rings. They don't have subtle references to past games.

[Sindra]

That's impossible. This isn't Castlevania, it's God of the Rings. They don't have subtle references to past games.

Haha, God of the Rings. That actually describes what we've seen thus far in really well. (Don't attack me, because really that *IS* what we've seen in trailers thus far. We have only heard about the rest.)

[DingusBelmondo]

And LordofShadows, I am probably one of the only people who actually give a damn about storyline. Maybe it's because I like writing and having everything flow a certain way. I can't really say why, honestly. I just like knowing how something got from point A to point B and everything that happened in between to make sense. I guess that's why I care about whether or not its in its own continuity. (might also have to do with being a big comic book fan)

As do I Sindra. Thus I am able to recognize a broken time line when I see one. IGA was certainly not planning ahead, and when he tries to fill in the gaps the stories are pointless and tie nothing together other than insignificant loopholes that were never meant to be explained. This actually gives writers a chance to DEVELOP something.

[Ahasverus]

I agree, IGA's lastest stories were like reading bad, VERY BAD fanfic, ecclessia was good but cliche, POR was laughable and DOS.... to puke on it. 
The best IGa story so far had been COD, the story itself wasn't vcery good, but the way of developoing it, with a lot of cool twists and a real connection between characters made the diference. Hpowever, a decent story with a meh game sucks.

[Sindra]

As do I Sindra. Thus I am able to recognize a broken time line when I see one. IGA was certainly not planning ahead, and when he tries to fill in the gaps the stories are pointless and tie nothing together other than insignificant loopholes that were never meant to be explained. This actually gives writers a chance to DEVELOP something.

I know. I've been trying to develop a fancomic/doujin that helps piece together alot of the "history" that IGA just kind of lazily threw around haphazardly. I firmly believe that it *can* be pieced together in at least a semi-sensible way, but you have to have an open mind and be pretty dedicated to even attempt. (that, and I need about 1-2 other artists to help me out)

A separate continuity does leave for alot of artistic freedoms, I agree. It also leaves for alot of "personal interpretations" which is where I start to worry, because that means Cox could do anything with anything and chalk it up to "Alternate Universe" reasoning. This could end up being very good or completely terrible. (same could be said of my story with my fancomic) We won't know until its released.

Again, open-mindedness helps, but alot depends on your openness to let alot of mainstays of the Castlevania legacy being altered in varying ways be subjected to radical alternations. One person can ignore the lack of candle-whipping but freaks if medusa heads are missing, whilst another doesn't mind an re-interpretation of the game's history but will shit a brick if pretty-vamps are removed. It's all subjective.

[DingusBelmondo]

A separate continuity does leave for alot of artistic freedoms, I agree. It also leaves for alot of "personal interpretations" which is where I start to worry, because that means Cox could do anything with anything and chalk it up to "Alternate Universe" reasoning. This could end up being very good or completely terrible. (same could be said of my story with my fancomic) We won't know until its released.

Again, open-mindedness helps, but alot depends on your openness to let alot of mainstays of the Castlevania legacy being altered in varying ways be subjected to radical alternations. One person can ignore the lack of candle-whipping but freaks if medusa heads are missing, whilst another doesn't mind an re-interpretation of the game's history but will shit a brick if pretty-vamps are removed. It's all subjective.

That's very true. Also, Cox has made it clear he has heard the concerns of the fan base, so i'm sure he will put as much fanservice in it as he thinks is acceptable. It's hard to know if we can trust him that much though.

[Sindra]

That's very true. Also, Cox has made it clear he has heard the concerns of the fan base, so i'm sure he will put as much fanservice in it as he thinks is acceptable. It's hard to know if we can trust him that much though.

Well, to be honest, the game is probably 90% done as of right now, so I'm not sure exactly how much fanservice he could throw in at this point short of Easter Eggs. We've witnessed thanks to the Chapel's interview that he is paying attention to the fandom, which obviously is a huge thing and I personally thank him at the very least for his acknowledging the fanbase, but (sorry Dave, there is a but) even if he did have the ability to sneak more stuff in I doubt it would be purely fan-driven because alot of it would probably contradict what his vision for the game is.

[RichterB]

I agree, IGA's lastest stories were like reading bad, VERY BAD fanfic, ecclessia was good but cliche, POR was laughable and DOS.... to puke on it. 
The best IGa story so far had been COD, the story itself wasn't vcery good, but the way of developoing it, with a lot of cool twists and a real connection between characters made the diference. Hpowever, a decent story with a meh game sucks.

You know, I have to say, I actually liked 'Lament of Innocence's' story the best. The intrigue between Walter and Renaldo, the alchemical sub-story, the tragedy and sacrifices surrounding Leon, and the scheming and betrayal by Matthias. It was very self-contained, and was powerful without being bombastic. Was it the most original ever? No. Some elements seemed very familiar to a gritty medieval anime called Berserk. But it was well-done and effective, and didn't distract from the game itself. I would have actually liked to see Leon's story continued, hunting down lesser vampires in a vain search for Matthias. (Like you said, CoD had some interesting historical elements, but in the end it felt irrelevant).

Anyway, if we *really* look at Lords of Shadow, I don't think the story is that much of a huge novelty for the series as people make it out to be. Two masks with powers--isn't that in the same vein as the Ebony Stone and Crimson Stone from LoI? Then we have a murdered wife...so it's still about trying to save and/or avenge a girl in the end. The Lords of Shadows are feasibly just a means to an end, like the bosses in Walter's "game" or...maybe the Colossi from SotC? Now, twists are promised, so these masks are probably going to cause a tragedy, just as the alchemic stones did in LoI or the slaying of the Colossi did in SotC. ...And so far...personal preference...but I find the voice acting of LoI more agreeable than all the dramatic "Highlander" talking and mention of "monkeys" in LoS' trailers. Just some things to ponder.

Also, regarding the concerns of "lack of this or that," here's what it boils down to. We never fully got a 100% solid 3D Castlevania (The N64 ones, in the end, were the closest IMO. They even planned 3D whip-swinging in the Beta video demos). Now, we have to get a "reimagined" Castlevania for our potential "definitive" 3D Castlevania. It feels sad, and it relegates the Castlevania name to a crowd of other games. If, when all is said and done, it does honor to the heart of Castlevania, then more power to it. I'm just trying to explain some of the uncertainty and frustration floating around.

[thernz]

I hope that Medusa heads make an appearance in the platforming segments.
Ho, 3D platforming segments are already a nightmare, but then suddenly, the true spirit of Castlevania takes flight: Getting knocked off by medusa heads. I will bury my face in my hands, tears crawling off my fingers. Lifting my head, I cry, "This is Castlevania."

[Lumas]

You know, I have to say, I actually liked 'Lament of Innocence's' story the best. The intrigue between Walter and Renaldo, the alchemical sub-story, the tragedy and sacrifices surrounding Leon, and the scheming and betrayal by Matthias. It was very self-contained, and was powerful without being bombastic. Was it the most original ever? No. Some elements seemed very familiar to a gritty medieval anime called Berserk. But it was well-done and effective, and didn't distract from the game itself. I would have actually liked to see Leon's story continued, hunting down lesser vampires in a vain search for Matthias. (Like you said, CoD had some interesting historical elements, but in the end it felt irrelevant).

Anyway, if we *really* look at Lords of Shadow, I don't think the story is that much of a huge novelty for the series as people make it out to be. Two masks with powers--isn't that in the same vein as the Ebony Stone and Crimson Stone from LoI? Then we have a murdered wife...so it's still about trying to save and/or avenge a girl in the end. The Lords of Shadows are feasibly just a means to an end, like the bosses in Walter's "game" or...maybe the Colossi from SotC? Now, twists are promised, so these masks are probably going to cause a tragedy, just as the alchemic stones did in LoI or the slaying of the Colossi did in SotC. ...And so far...personal preference...but I find the voice acting of LoI more agreeable than all the dramatic "Highlander" talking and mention of "monkeys" in LoS' trailers. Just some things to ponder.

Also, regarding the concerns of "lack of this or that," here's what it boils down to. We never fully got a 100% solid 3D Castlevania (The N64 ones, in the end, were the closest IMO. They even planned 3D whip-swinging in the Beta video demos). Now, we have to get a "reimagined" Castlevania for our potential "definitive" 3D Castlevania. It feels sad, and it relegates the Castlevania name to a crowd of other games. If, when all is said and done, it does honor to the heart of Castlevania, then more power to it. I'm just trying to explain some of the uncertainty and frustration floating around.

Personally I really disliked the overall story of Lament. I loathed the fact IGA made Dracula into some one else and hate the fact that the vampire killer is an alchemical weapon. The graphics, design and music was the only thing I personally can really care for. The voice acting was typical for any type of anime, Chrispin Freeman is still a cod piece, it just felt like it was too over the top. Though I would've probably enjoyed it further if they did continue it and improved the gameplay, enviroments and such. I think I've grown tired of self contained stories so the concept of telling a story where Leon traveled around hunting down lesser vampires and telling how he gain more strength and was able to finally move one ( I mean c'mon he obviously found someone else unless he trained a younger cousin or sibling.) would have made it better instead of getting CoD.

I do however 100% agree with the 64 games being the closest to a true 3D castlevania games. They were rich with dark ambience, had a horror element, exploration stage by stage progression (which I prefer) and the story was straight to the point.  Those two remain two of my favorites in the series probably more so then SotN, but that is just me personally.

[CastleDan]

All of you being castlevania fans were you ever into Legacy of Kain?

Blood omen and soul reaver...Man were they awesome.

[Lumas]

All of you being castlevania fans were you ever into Legacy of Kain?

Blood omen and soul reaver...Man were they awesome.

Best vampire games ever.

[CastleDan]

Best vampire games ever.

Indeed. Awesome stories. I really love how simple Blood omen is but how the story just keeps going constantly... You learn so much as you play. So cool....I've been replaying them lately and it just makes me think how cool castlevania could be. Lol

[Lumas]

Indeed. Awesome stories. I really love how simple Blood omen is but how the story just keeps going constantly... You learn so much as you play. So cool....I've been replaying them lately and it just makes me think how cool castlevania could be. Lol

Yeah the story tie everything up yet leaves you with more questions. I really wish they would put out another but I doubt its going to happen. Dark Prophecy was suppose to to be the sequel to Defiance but it got canned. I really need to go back and replay them all again.

Speaking of canned anyone know anything new on that Alucard game that got showed a while back?

[crisis]

Speaking of canned anyone know anything new on that Alucard game that got showed a while back?

That would be a good question to ask Dave Cox on his twitter now would it..~~