Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

The Ultimate Edition of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow breathes new life into the three-year-old game through improved graphics and extra content.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Ultimate Edition is a solid package for anyone who didn't get to play the game back in 2010, but at this point, it just feels like a stepping stone that allows the sequel to be released on the platform.

There aren’t too many 3D action games with fixed camera POVs being made anymore. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow was the last of its kind and while it isn’t perfect, it is one of the better examples of its kind from a console generation that was hopelessly creatively bankrupt.

Clearly, Lord of Shadows wants to feel “cinematic” but it goes too far by sacrificing gameplay on the altar of visual splendor.

With reasons to replay levels once again after you’ve acquired new skills and new challenges, and the addition of Steam achievements, there is some decent replayability once you’ve completed the main campaign. With the two DLC’s included you’ll get more than twenty or so hours of playtime too. While I’ve never been the biggest Castlevania fan and passed on Lords of Shadow when it originally released on consoles, I’m quite glad I got to play this PC version, with a controller nonetheless, as I quite enjoyed the story and characters. I am now excited for the sequel to arrive. I recommend Lords of Shadow, even at the full $29.99 asking price, but if it’s ever on the popular Steam sales for cheaper, make sure you pick it up so you can experience a Belmont’s adventure as this is the version to play.

While the Ultimate Edition of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow doesn't exactly offer innovation to the seasoned fan, it's impossible to deny that this edition is far superior to the previously released console versions.

Being a three-year old game, Lords of Shadow still feels fresh. This adventure is just as much fun as I remember it, and digging back into it only furthers my excitement for the sequel.

That's it, for this beautifully narrated and very demanding 2010 game, it's good. A little outdated sometimes, but good!

It may not be the Castlevania as fans know it, but MercurySteam has taken successful mechanics from combat-focused, character action games and blended it with Castlevania's lore.

If you love action adventure and have not yet played it, do not hesitate: Lords of Shadow is a game not to be missed, even in the face of a very interesting price and the Reverie and Ressurrection DLCs, already included in the package.