Topic: "The Dragon Returns" - Castlevania Lords of Shadow Sequel (HERE BE SPOILER INFO)

[Asgardwolf]

I doubt it. Carmilla was killed by Gabriel back in LoS1.

Like Marie... they both will appear in LOS2 but the one on the poster is Carmilla.

Actually, I think most of those are official

All of them are fanmade, at the end of the contest Konami will choose the winner art.

[Chernabogue]

^Thanks ^^

[Intersection]

Like Marie... they both will appear in LOS2 but the one on the poster is Carmilla.

Well, I seem to be behind on everything, don't I?
So I had seen her in the trailer, but I hadn't made the link. That certainly clears up my "mystery woman" nonsense. My apologies.

[Flame]

[Nagumo]

That's my favorite one so far. I like how it strays from the dark colors that all the other posters use. Also, the artwork is both elegant and very haunting. I think I wouldn't mind if they used a style like that in the future. Is this based on the poster from the remake of Nosferatu?   

[Flame]

based on this

Like Marie... they both will appear in LOS2 but the one on the poster is Carmilla.All of them are fanmade, at the end of the contest Konami will choose the winner art.

Actually, they are NOT fanmade. These are official Konami/MS posters. One of these will be the prize for their poster contest.

[darkmanx_429]

I did a poster too for the contest for fun even though I am ineligible because I live in the US.

I put it on the LOS Facebook page and they put me as the #1 top comment!

[Kingshango]

Read though some impressions from those brave enough to buy MoFHD and got confirmation that you can disable QTE's. 

[darkmanx_429]

Actually, I think most of those are official

What movie poster is that based off of?

[e105beta]

Ok, so I just played the demo, and oh my word, this game is already better than LoS. Obviously its the E3 demo, so some of this may be old news, but here are my thoughts:

-The combat is faster and more responsive. Playing as Dracula feels like playing as Dracula. Your dodges are smooth, and the transition between different weapons is seamless. The only thing I missed in the demo was a move list, because I was ready to experiment with the combos. And if anyone felt like LoS boiled down to mashing the X/[] combo over and over again, LoS2 makes you want to mix it up, particularly because I felt the enemies put enough pressure on me that mixing in AoE attacks was important, rather than just an option.

-Enemies are more varied and have way better AI. Just tossing in shields that you have to break with the Chaos Fists before doing anything else was good for me, but then you have the fact that enemies capitalize on you being knocked to the ground, and even just move a bit quicker, and it's way more fun to interact in combat.

-The music is better. I loved the LoS soundtrack, and thought it was very atmospheric and well composed, but sometimes it was lacking a little something-something, going more for grandiose-ness than energy. IMO, the new soundtrack has energy.

-Platforming is completely better. It's still shimmying-style, so that hasn't changed, but it's quick, quick enough that you still feel entirely in control even when you have to jump through moving cogs while the gold paladin dude is shooting fire arrows at you, something that would have been a clusterfuck nightmare in LoS due to the clunky wall-shimmying.

-Titan was more fun. It was a set-piece and an event, rather than some big stone...thing in a flat room that you just had to fight by crawling all over it like an annoying tick. You fight soldiers on it while its slamming its fist into the castle, jump through cogs ala Clock Tower (LoS) while the Paladin is raining fire arrows down on you, then you have to jump around it while using the paladin to destroy the bolts nailing the titan together. I mean, if you HATED the Titan fights in LoS, I can't guarantee you'll like this one, but there's definitely more to it.

-The atmosphere is more "Castlevania". I'm probably one of the first people on this board who will defend LoS's right to call itself a Castlevania, but the demo of LoS2 just had more of that essence of "Castlevania" that started showing up more in MoF. Can't explain this one much more than that.

[JR]

Gabriel with Lugosi's facial features (and that smile) is just too fun.

Heh, I didn't even realize until now that they used the same Lugosi face for a picture of Dracula in the MSX manual. Everyone else probably already knew, though.

[Bergaron]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smjDoBX4a7Y

[darkmanx_429]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smjDoBX4a7Y

Good review. I don't know if this has been mentioned about the demo, but one thing I really liked about the demo was the sound! With the music, the sound was very intense and hectic! I for one am happy the dev team gets more time with the game even though it got pushed back! I mean that demo was at E3 so the game probably already looks tons better than the demo. I am hearing good things about Mirror of Fate HD as well!

I wonder how everyone is going to react when this game does incredibly well and how the perception of Dave Cox will change? I mean this is the first time I think I've seen a Castlevania title since SOTN really have a AAA budget given to it. LOS2 really does look next gen when compared to its fello brethren like God of War, DMC, Metal Gear etc. Whatever the opinion of old school fan or IGA fans it's nice to see Castlevania given the proper funds to shine.

I remember back in the da when you used to see like Super Castlevania 4 and other Castlevania titles all over the cover of the game mags. Usually during Halloween time.

[Intersection]

So it's essentially the same demo we've seen at E3, coupled with the the game's debut trailer. A bit disappointing, but that was to be expected.

As it stands, I'm not worried at all for LoS2; it's well on its way towards a phenomenal success. While the demo isn't as spectacular as I was hoping for it to be, it does show that this sequel is on the right track.
This first taste of LoS2's Titan scaling, while still not entirely perfect, is a significant improvement on the dull patterns of the original's titan fights. Combat is as solid and well-balanced as the original, and I couldn't ask for more. And just as MS promised, we're finally granted with a movable camera (alleluia!). Now, QTE's are still there, but remain far less obtrusive than MoF's; they still aren't necessary, but don't really hurt the experience.
So, again: no worries here.

Though I'm not expecting a "change" in the way Cox is perceived; he is who he is, and I don't see how a new game would make any difference...

[Kingshango]

You can remove QTE's entirely in the options menu, someone on Gamefaqs confirmed this already.

Seriously, there should be a header on the side of the box saying "QTE removal included." in big bold letters. Maybe that'll help turn some heads for those who are on the fence.