Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Review (PS3)

Story

Control Dracula in his quest of obtaining eternal peace.

This game takes place after the events of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate. Dracula was awakened many years after his slumber in the present world, with his former enemy, Zobek, requested him to help fight off Satan and his army. Reluctantly, he agreed with the condition that he was to be rid of his immortality.

Without spoiling much of the story, I think the story is good, although not as great as the first game's story in terms of story exposition and pacing. Most characters in the game are well-written, but I feel that some of them lacks enough screen time to make themselves more memorable than the main characters like Dracula and Zobek.

Gameplay

Wield Dracula's deadly weapons against his enemies.

Unlike the first game, this game plays more like an open-world game akin to Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. Travelling mostly done by foot, and you can explore additional areas to get power ups. The platforming controls is refined much better than the first game, as it plays similarly with Uncharted games.

There are some stealth sections in this game, requiring you to get through these places by stealth. You have to distract enemies using bat swarm, using daggers, and transforming to rat to sneak in these areas. There are also QTEs in the game during combat.

You will travel to modern city area as well as Dracula's castle area. Many missions in the game require you to travel both. You may backtrack anytime to collect any items that you have missed. Mission objectives are a bit varied this time, but none of it requires too much effort to complete.

Improved combat.

Dracula has access to three new weapons: Shadow Whip, Void Sword and Chaos Claws. Shadow Whip plays like Combat Cross in the first game, utilising ranged whip attacks to hit multiple enemies. Void Sword functions like the Light Magic from the first game, using sword attacks to damage enemies as well as replenishing your health. Chaos Claws functions like the Shadow Magic from the first game, using claws to deliver heavy damage on enemies.

By defeating enemies, you will gain experience points. You may use this to purchase new skills, upgrading current skills, or buy items. Like in the first game, you may use items to help you in combat, such as a health-restoring items or an item that helps you find a secret item in the game. These items can be found by breaking objects, defeating enemies, or buying them from a shop. You also can use sub-abilities in the game during combat, or to complete certain puzzles.

A new learning system in this game called Mastery system. By repeatedly using a combat skill in the game, it will be mastered. Then, the skill's Mastery can be transferred to the corresponding weapon, allowing it to grow more powerful. It is a nifty system, and it is one feature that lacks in the first game.

Enjoyable boss fights.

Combat is similar to he first game. You have access both light and heavy attacks with your three weapons, you may jump, block attacks, dodge, and grab enemies. One of the essential techniques in this game is Synchronised Block, as it allows you to negate any blockable attacks and allows you to counterattack against enemies easily. It also allows you to raise the Focus gauge faster. When the Focus gauge is filled up, any upcoming attacks by using Shadow Whip on enemies will drain red orbs, which fills up your Void Gauge and Chaos Gauge for continued usage of both Void Sword and Chaos Claws. If you are hit however, the gauge will reset. This Focus gauge functions similarly to the first game.

There are variety of enemies, but like skeleton soldiers, human soldiers, and others. Most of them require different tactics to fight. For example, heavy armoured soldier requires you to use Chaos Claws to penetrate his defenses. Stunned enemies can be grabbed and killed instantly, as well as replenishing your health. Enemies also have unblockable attacks, and must be dodged to avoid damage.

Boss fights in this game are quite enjoyable, but some of them can be repetitive as some of the boss fights require you just regularly hit enemies. Majority of them though, requires specific strategy to beat them, and it is fun to do so.

Improved gameplay, but with some reservations.

Majority of the gameplay elements in this game have improved since the first game, but I can't help having issues with some of the gameplay features in this game. First of all, the stealth sections. The stealth sections are poorly done and extremely repetitive, as you have very limited ways to get through the stealth areas. Personally, I feel that it is the most unnecessary gameplay section in the game, and should be removed to emphasise Dracula's powers against his enemies. Secondly, level design. The level designs in this game are not consistent in quality, especially in the modern city area. I personally found that Dracula's castle has the better atmosphere and setting, and I preferred if the game takes place in the castle itself alone. Not only that, the level exploration in this game is a bit confusing at times. Puzzles in this game are also lacking of creativity. Regardless, the combat, platforming and the leveling systems have improved greatly from the first game, with exciting combat moves, improved platforming controls, great boss fights, and good Mastery leveling system. 

Graphics

Great graphics. Incredible looking characters and environments.

This game boasts incredible graphics. Gorgeous looking characters and great environment visuals that capture the gothic spirit of Castlevania series. Many of the characters have incredibly detailed designs, like Dracula, Zobek, and the bosses. It is a significant improvement compared to the first game.

There are no bugs or glitches that I have encountered so far, so it is a plus from me. Also, the lip syncing is also improved compared to the first game.

Sound

Excellent music and voice acting.

The soundtrack is very impressive. It gives epic and grand scale like the first Lords of Shadow game. There are many pieces that I like in this game, and one of my favourites is the Siege Titan piece.

The voice acting is top notch like the first game, with stellar performances by Robert Carlyle, Sir Patrick Stewart, and others. What actually I missed about the voice acting is Sir Patrick Stewart's narration like the first game.

Replay Value

Moderate replay value.

This game has moderate replay value. You may continue exploring in the game to collect missing power-up items and lores, or start New Game Plus. In New Game Plus mode, you will start the game again with the Prince of Darkness difficulty, a harder difficulty mode as well as carry over your upgrades. You may also complete Challenges in the game for extra playing time.

Conclusion

Inconsistent quality of game, with both great and bad gameplay features.

I feel that this game is a worthy sequel of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, but not by a wide margin. Despite improvements of combat, platforming, leveling and graphics, it still has issues like mediocre level designs, mediocre puzzles, and poorly designed stealth sections. Regardless, I enjoy this game, particularly due to the combat and story.

It can be seen that many reviewers gave mediocre scores for this game, particularly the story and the gameplay designs. I advise to anyone who is particularly wants to play this game, should try out the demo first before purchasing the full game. From what I have seen, the demo is a fair representation on how the full game will turn out.

As the conclusion, this game is a good action adventure game that may satisfies regular action adventure fans, but with some reservations toward some of the gameplay features. This game may caters to some players, but not others.

Score

Story: 7/10

Gameplay: 7/10

Graphics: 9/10

Sound: 8/10

Final Score: 31/40 or 7.75/10

Pros and Cons

Pros

- Great conclusion on Lords of Shadow series.

- Good story.

- Improved combat.

- Great boss fights.

- Improved platforming controls.

- Good Mastery skill learning system.

- Impressive music.

- Impressive voice acting.

- Incredible graphics.

Cons

- Story feels slightly less compelling than the first game.

- Story can be difficult to pick up at first.

- Many characters in the game have too-short screentime to become more memorable.

- Mundane and unnecessary stealth sections.

- Questionable and inconsistent quality of gameplay design.

- Level designs can be confusing and boring at times in modern city area.

- Puzzles lack creativity.