Topic: Torn Because of Mirror of Fate?

[Tavis Belmont]

I've loved Castlevania since I was young (as I'm sure many of have), but I almost lost interest in the entire series because of Lords of Shadow. I'm probably the only idiot around who doesn't like it, but I just didn't feel it like many others did. When I tried to explain it to my friend, the only excuse I could come up with was that I felt like the series was losing it's soul. I really miss the IGA games, even if they were becoming a cheese-fest. I still play HD fairly often on Xbox Live and hope that a sequel will come out.

And now Mirror of Fate comes around, and I feel like Castlevania is trying to call me back. Here I was, sucked into my happy existence of Warriors Orochi 3 and Fallout: New Vegas... and bam. A more "Metroidvania" style game with new reditions of my favorite characters.

I'm torn. I want to come back. I've even popped in Lords of Shadow a few times since this has been announced to trudge through it and finally beat it. But I still miss the Iga style. It's kind of pathetic. I've never had this problem with other series. Mega Man's changed a bazillion times, but I'm able to keep up with it. Am I the only one who's in this position?

[crisis]

You're not the only one that feels the same way towards LoS; that it didn't have enough of the CV "atmosphere" or "feel." A lot of us also miss IGA's games, because despite their flaws, they stayed true to many traditional CV elements.

You might appreciate LoS more if you view it as "the game of the movie." It's the Hollywood CV movie that never was. But many of us have warmed up to it since it's release, it's really not as bad as some make it out to be.


As for Mega Man? I'm sure Capcom will sooner have a Western developer reboot the series before they ever consider making an X9.

[shelverton.]

No, you're definitely not the only one. This subject is being discussed here on a daily basis, sort of.

I didn't love Lords of Shadow but I certainly didn't hate it either. There were so much potential and I am eager to see where the sequels are going.

Also, I've decided that I'm not "married" to Castlevania. Castlevania is my no-strings-attached lover. I don't have to abandon it just because one game isn't my cup of tea. I'll keep following this series closely, and I'll definitely try out new games. But I'm not upset anymore about whatever direction the series is taking. I can always go back and play one of the timeless classics anytime I want, and maybe I'll find a new favorite in Mirror of Fate! If not, there's a bunch of other gaming francises that I love too.

[Tavis Belmont]

Those are some good points Shelverton. I actually avoided these boards for fear that I wouldn't have anything to contribute because of Lords of Shadow. I was still stuck on playing HD and farming for items (a guilty pleasure that never satisfies).

[shelverton.]

Those are some good points Shelverton. I actually avoided these boards for fear that I wouldn't have anything to contribute because of Lords of Shadow. I was still stuck on playing HD and farming for items (a guilty pleasure that never satisfies).

You probably have lots to contribute. There are som VERY strong opinions within these forums, and they kinda go both ways. Myself, I'm kinda in the middle and is trying to...dunno..."keep an open mind" I guess. I generally think that both IGA-fans and LoS-fans make some valid points from time to time, but personally I am a fan of most things Castlevania, regardless of the direction it's taking. So far the only game I just couldn't stand was Castlevania Judgment, but I really dig a lot of the other IGA stuff.

[e105beta]

Those are some good points Shelverton. I actually avoided these boards for fear that I wouldn't have anything to contribute because of Lords of Shadow. I was still stuck on playing HD and farming for items (a guilty pleasure that never satisfies).

Trust me, even a poor opinion of the game is something to contribute. Discussion would never go anywhere if it was always just people going around and clapping each other on the back. Differing opinions allow both sides to understand why they believe the things they do, as long as everyone agrees to be rational and civil about it.

If Mirror of Fate is looking like your cup of tea, come back and talk about it. I'm a glutton for game discussion. Helps me organize my own ideas for my own games.

[cecil-kain]

I've loved Castlevania since I was young (as I'm sure many of have), but I almost lost interest in the entire series because of Lords of Shadow. I'm probably the only idiot around who doesn't like it, but I just didn't feel it like many others did. When I tried to explain it to my friend, the only excuse I could come up with was that I felt like the series was losing it's soul. I really miss the IGA games, even if they were becoming a cheese-fest. I still play HD fairly often on Xbox Live and hope that a sequel will come out.

And now Mirror of Fate comes around, and I feel like Castlevania is trying to call me back. Here I was, sucked into my happy existence of Warriors Orochi 3 and Fallout: New Vegas... and bam. A more "Metroidvania" style game with new reditions of my favorite characters.

I'm torn. I want to come back. I've even popped in Lords of Shadow a few times since this has been announced to trudge through it and finally beat it. But I still miss the Iga style. It's kind of pathetic. I've never had this problem with other series. Mega Man's changed a bazillion times, but I'm able to keep up with it. Am I the only one who's in this position?

As the others have said, you're definitely not alone.

On the surface, Mirror of Fate is looking like an acknowledgement of LoS's shortcomings.  Not only is the game 2-D, not only does the atmosphere appear more gothic --but we can also see the attempt to capitalize on popular and beloved characters.  It's only natural for alienated Akumajo fans to have this on their radar --even if they feel a bit cautious about it.  Time will tell how this eventually plays out...  In the meantime, you're certainly welcome to check out Operation: Akumajo on Facebook if you'd like to commune with other like-minded fans.

[Tavis Belmont]

I kinda knew before Lords even came out that somehow Gabriel would turn into some kind of anti-hero. I think it was the official artwork as opposed to the render. Right from the start, I was feeling that Gabriel wasn't a "true" Belmont. I think it even mentions somewhere in the game that he's possbily a Cronqvist (Mathias?). That, coupled with the gameplay, just turned me off completely.

It's gotten better since I've been progressing and getting more skills, but I'm still not head-over-heels for it.

[Neobelmont]

Trust me, even a poor opinion of the game is something to contribute. Discussion would never go anywhere if it was always just people going around and clapping each other on the back. Differing opinions allow both sides to understand why they believe the things they do, as long as everyone agrees to be rational and civil about it.

If Mirror of Fate is looking like your cup of tea, come back and talk about it. I'm a glutton for game discussion. Helps me organize my own ideas for my own games.

Hey I am all for game discussions as well except I don't make my own games I really wish I could  The  closest thing I would want to do is make my own gaming channel on yt and then get big like say k-wing with reviews or make let's plays.

[Ghetto-blasteR]

the op basically sums up how i feel about it. i see the new timeline as objectively good on its own (save for all the forced and misused references to the original timeline), but not really what i would want to replace the original. it just feels completely different, and i get that that's what a reboot is supposed to be, but... not this. it's hard to describe what exactly is wrong, so i leave that to someone else.

regardless of how i feel about it though, given the handheld and console two-pronged move this e3, i'd be very, very surprised if the series deviated at all from its new LoS direction in the next, i dunno, 5-10 years? maybe not that long, but something like that. one can't really argue with the sales of LoS. so your only real option is to get used to what's coming, maybe even embrace it, or ignore it altogether.

[Neobelmont]

I've loved Castlevania since I was young (as I'm sure many of have), but I almost lost interest in the entire series because of Lords of Shadow. I'm probably the only idiot around who doesn't like it, but I just didn't feel it like many others did. When I tried to explain it to my friend, the only excuse I could come up with was that I felt like the series was losing it's soul. I really miss the IGA games, even if they were becoming a cheese-fest. I still play HD fairly often on Xbox Live and hope that a sequel will come out.

And now Mirror of Fate comes around, and I feel like Castlevania is trying to call me back. Here I was, sucked into my happy existence of Warriors Orochi 3 and Fallout: New Vegas... and bam. A more "Metroidvania" style game with new reditions of my favorite characters.

I'm torn. I want to come back. I've even popped in Lords of Shadow a few times since this has been announced to trudge through it and finally beat it. But I still miss the Iga style. It's kind of pathetic. I've never had this problem with other series. Mega Man's changed a bazillion times, but I'm able to keep up with it. Am I the only one who's in this position?

In my opinion I believe that cv needed this up-grade. I love sprites and the classicvanias and some metroidvania, but it needed to be brought up to modern standards like how zelda and mario did (3d and such or at least non sprite based) I would not be crazy to say this but cv lost some of it's fans I think when it was not as top quality as it once was or at least being stagnant with the mvs, but that is changing now and even though I love the classicsin the end that is what they are classics. I am an advocate of the future and I want mind blowing top quality cv games and MoF seems to bring everything up to date maybe even more.

[Dremn]

No, you are certainly not the only one who feels this way.

This is a topic that's heavily debated almost everyday now among Castlevania fans. I don't see Mirror of Fate playing or feeling like the IGAVanias, but I think they definitely took some steps forward for fans who felt left out from LoS and prefer the original Castlevanias. We'll hopefully find out enough by Tuesday.

[GuyStarwind]

TC I'm with you on LoS didn't have that CV feel I loved. I for one was getting bored with Metriodvania style of CV and was in all support of a change. However, not the change LoS gave us.  I feel or at least hope MoF will be a major improvement from LoS and I'm willing to give it a chance.

[Nagumo]

I'm taking the no-strings-attached approach just like Shelverton, but I'm really not that pessimistic about Castlevania's future because I know LoS is only temporary. Cox said, those will work on new games after he and MercurySteam are allowed to continue "as they see fit". Even if future developers are forced to incorporate elements from a LoS game, I'm sure that—especially if control is handed back to a Japanese team—they have a fresh take on it that I will like.         

[Kingshango]

I've loved Castlevania since I was young (as I'm sure many of have), but I almost lost interest in the entire series because of Lords of Shadow. I'm probably the only idiot around who doesn't like it, but I just didn't feel it like many others did. When I tried to explain it to my friend, the only excuse I could come up with was that I felt like the series was losing it's soul. I really miss the IGA games, even if they were becoming a cheese-fest. I still play HD fairly often on Xbox Live and hope that a sequel will come out.

And now Mirror of Fate comes around, and I feel like Castlevania is trying to call me back. Here I was, sucked into my happy existence of Warriors Orochi 3 and Fallout: New Vegas... and bam. A more "Metroidvania" style game with new reditions of my favorite characters.

I'm torn. I want to come back. I've even popped in Lords of Shadow a few times since this has been announced to trudge through it and finally beat it. But I still miss the Iga style. It's kind of pathetic. I've never had this problem with other series. Mega Man's changed a bazillion times, but I'm able to keep up with it. Am I the only one who's in this position?

As a fan of Lords of Shadow as well as past Castlevania games, I honestly don't blame you or anyone else who feels that way.  At this point what can't I say that has already been said since Lords reveal in 09 and it's release in 2010. All I can say is that the silver lining in all this is that Mirror of Fate and Lords of Shadow 2 are the final games in the reboot. So there is a possibility that IGA may return to pick up where he left off in the original canon. Or rather if he's up to do more Castlevania games but sadly that's not up to him anymore, It's ultimately up to Konami weather they want to continue outsourcing and rebooting Castlevania to western studios or not. We can just sit back and hope for the best in the long run.