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[hey_it's_that_dog]

Question for people who've played the demo, is there only one default set of controls? I was wondering if there was a set up similar to God of War where block is L1 and magic is L2? It's no deal breaker for me but I was just wondering.

Impressions sound great so far. Game looks awesome in previews for it so far. Presentation sounds ace.

I can't answer your question but I completely share your desire for a different control scheme. Trigger buttons should NEVER be used for high-frequency actions like blocking or dodging. The dodge on Left Stick doesn't both me much, as that's how Ninja Gaiden did it and it should work well.

As a random note, has anyone else noticed that boss QTEs aren't seemless, but rather the camera blacks out for a moment and then the sequence plays? There's another camera blackout after the QTE scene. I can see the possible advantages of doing it that way (it's surely easier than having the character quickly reposition himself in a way that isn't janky), but seeing as even GOW 1 was able to do more or less seemless QTEs, I question this decision.

 

[Nizz]

I can't answer your question but I completely share your desire for a different control scheme. Trigger buttons should NEVER be used for high-frequency actions like blocking or dodging. The dodge on Left Stick doesn't both me much, as that's how Ninja Gaiden did it and it should work well.

As a random note, has anyone else noticed that boss QTEs aren't seemless, but rather the camera blacks out for a moment and then the sequence plays? There's another camera blackout after the QTE scene. I can see the possible advantages of doing it that way (it's surely easier than having the character quickly reposition himself in a way that isn't janky), but seeing as even GOW 1 was able to do more or less seemless QTEs, I question this decision.

Looks like TTP already answered that question back on page 2...

Didn't enjoy any second of it. Combat wasn't neither fun nor brutal enough to hide that. Blood splatters are terrible, they are so huge and so fake looking you wonder why they are so huge to begin with. Anyway, triggers (instead of shoulder buttons) for main actions like grabbing/use and blocking are a bad sign. For some reason, devs walking under the GOW shadow seem intimidated to use the right stick for dodge, so we get the "L2 + Left stick direction" shit even here.

Probably won't be too huge an issue, but an issue nonetheless. I guess I'll find out next week when the demo goes live for everyone. I'm with you and TTP when primary actions in games on PS3 should be put on the main shoulder buttons instead of the triggers. My first instinct in games like this on PS3 are to dodge and block using the shoulder buttons.

Since this game seems similar in style to GoW, it would have been perfect to have had block and dodge on the shoulder buttons and the triggers for magic, etc... I wonder what are the chances that using the shoulder buttons will be an option in the final game? This demo is an older build, right? Maybe they added the option to switch to the shoulder buttons in the final game?

 

[RedStormSublime]

Anyway, triggers (instead of shoulder buttons) for main actions like grabbing/use and blocking are a bad sign. For some reason, devs walking under the GOW shadow seem intimidated to use the right stick for dodge, so we get the "L2 + Left stick direction" shit even here.

I'm just curious, why is L2 + stick direction a shitty way of doing block/dodge? Thats the way Ninja Gaiden does it. Since you cant move while blocking, it seems to me to be an improvement over right-stick dodge, because it does not require you to take your right thumb off the face buttons.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

As a random note, has anyone else noticed that boss QTEs aren't seemless, but rather the camera blacks out for a moment and then the sequence plays? There's another camera blackout after the QTE scene. I can see the possible advantages of doing it that way (it's surely easier than having the character quickly reposition himself in a way that isn't janky), but seeing as even GOW 1 was able to do more or less seemless QTEs, I question this decision.

Seamless. not seemless.

Is the blackout too noticeable? Or is it just a fraction of a second?
[edit] Wait a minute, I'm re-reading your post and it seems like you're talking about gameplay QTEs, not cutscene QTEs, is that correct? If so, that's a bummer. I can't play the demo (don't have psn+ and I'm not in Europe) but hopefully it won't be like that in the final game.

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

I'm just curious, why is L2 + stick direction a shitty way of doing block/dodge? Thats the way Ninja Gaiden does it. Since you cant move while blocking, it seems to me to be an improvement over right-stick dodge, because it does not require you to take your right thumb off the face buttons.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma (my only point of reference) uses L1+stick, not L2.

 

[British Monsoon]

It'd kind of hard to assess a games score when you're playing a demo. Just thought I'd let you know.

Seeing as this is a demo impressions thread, I assumed the fact that I was just assessing the score featured in the demo was clearly implied, but thanks for letting me know.

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

Seamless. not seemless.

Is the blackout too noticeable? Or is it just a fraction of a second?
[edit] Wait a minute, I'm re-reading your post and it seems like you're talking about gameplay QTEs, not cutscene QTEs, is that correct? If so, that's a bummer. I can't play the demo (don't have psn+ and I'm not in Europe) but hopefully it won't be like that in the final game.

ARGGGGH I NEVER MAKE TYPOS.

Anyway, I was talking about gameplay QTEs, like during the Ogre fight (which was shown during a TGS stage demo). The Ogre drops his hand to the ground to indicate that it's time to fuck shit up QTE style. When the action is initiated, it cuts (with a brief black flash) to the scripted scene, then when that scene is done, it flashes again before you regain control of Gabriel. I bet a lot of people wouldn't notice this or care, but because my closest reference is GOW, it stands out as a difference.

edit: and to be totally clear, i'm not talking about the demo at all. Just the footage I saw from TGS. It happened in both boss fights that were shown.

 

[RedStormSublime]

Ninja Gaiden Sigma (my only point of reference) uses L1+stick, not L2.

Doesn't matter, I think, since we're basically comparing shoulder-button+left-stick-direction, to right-stick direction.

 

[SolidusDave]

Right stick dodging wouldn't work here I think.
It's a bit like Bayonetta, you press L2 to evade but if you press it at the right time you can create window to counter the attack (plus holding L2 = blocking for weak attacks). So it's important to have that button always ready while keeping your thumb on the facebuttons to attack etc.
I played PS3 Bayonetta with R2 = Witch time/evade etc. and it wasn't a big deal *shrugs*
An option to switch to L1 should be added though.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Anyway, I was talking about gameplay QTEs, like during the Ogre fight (which was shown during a TGS stage demo). The Ogre drops his hand to the ground to indicate that it's time to fuck shit up QTE style. When the action is initiated, it cuts (with a brief black flash) to the scripted scene, then when that scene is done, it flashes again before you regain control of Gabriel. I bet a lot of people wouldn't notice this or care, but because my closest reference is GOW, it stands out as a difference.

edit: and to be totally clear, i'm not talking about the demo at all. Just the footage I saw from TGS. It happened in both boss fights that were shown.

Oh, thanks for explaining that. I'm on a media blackout so I haven't seen the videos (I don't even know why I'm in this thread to be honest, ha!), hopefully it won't be too jarring.

 

[Barakov]

EU PSN+? :/ Fortunately, it's hitting for the rest of us next week.

After reading the impressions, I can't wait to check it out.

 

[brandonh83]

Someone over at the Castlevania Dungeon said that the combos reminded them of Lament of Innocence. Any weight to that?

 

[-Amon-]

Usually i tend to agree with impressions on demos here but this time i feel very far from the opinions in this thread.

The atmosphere and art have nothing to share with classics Catlevania. It really feas like a nedieval God of War, this game really feels to me like a new ip rebranded as Castlevania at the last time.

Graphics are nice but nothing special.

Gameplay tries to mimic Gow but falls short quite about anything.

Unluckily i'll have to wait for a long time for my HD.Castlevania fix.. so sad.

Only great part for me is the prologue, thanks to Stewart of course.

 

[Despera]

I heard that weapons feel weightless? Is this true?

 

[Augemitbutter]

Usually i tend to agree with impressions on demos here but this time i feel very far from the opinions in this thread.

The atmosphere and art have nothing to share with classics Catlevania. It really feas like a nedieval God of War, this game really feels to me like a new ip rebranded as Castlevania at the last time.

and that's why i'm not gonna buy it, maybe rent it at max. getting ready for a huge disappointment.

 

[Foffy]

Someone over at the Castlevania Dungeon said that the combos reminded them of Lament of Innocence. Any weight to that?

That's what the game has reminded me of in terms of combat, outside of QTE and grab commands.

It reminds me of the atmosphere found in Legacy of Darkness, too. Which I thought had the best atmosphere out of any Castlevania game.

 

[~Kinggi~]

I must have this! I want a xbl demo bad.

 

[brandonh83]

That's what the game has reminded me of in terms of combat, outside of QTE and grab commands.

It reminds me of the atmosphere found in Legacy of Darkness, too. Which I thought had the best atmosphere out of any Castlevania game.

Ah, sounds great. I commented in the TGS trailer thread (I think it was that one) that I thought the combat reminded me more of Lament of Innocence than God of War, maybe a mix of the two.

 

[Basilisco V.]

Holy shit.. I was not very interested in this game ("slightly" fan of Castlevania, played a few games of the saga), but after playing the demo :O. In terms of gameplay and graphics is very decent, but the atmosphere.. incredible. Preordered

 

[ULTROS!]

For those who've played the demo, I've got a few questions:

1. Is this game similar or better than the past 3D Castlevanias (Curse of Darkness and Lament of Innocence)?

2. Does the game have an inventory system like all the Castlevanias post Symphony of the Night (yes I've asked this for the nth time but no one replied)?

 

[Foffy]

Does the game have an inventory system like all the Castlevanias post Symphony of the Night (yes I've asked this for the nth time but no one replied)?

It does not, I'm afraid. Just the Combat Cross, Subweapons, Dark Magic, and Light Magic are the only elements of "inventory", really.

Unless you count Life Gems, Light Gems, Dark Gems, and the number of abilities you get as the game progresses as some form of inventory, too.

 

[TTP]

I'm just curious, why is L2 + stick direction a shitty way of doing block/dodge? Thats the way Ninja Gaiden does it. Since you cant move while blocking, it seems to me to be an improvement over right-stick dodge, because it does not require you to take your right thumb off the face buttons.

It's not like you can attack while dodging anyway, so not having the thumb on the face button while dodging in GOW isn't really an issue.

I just find it more intuitive and reliable than the block/dodge solution.

Not a big deal mind you, but it saddens to see the right analog unconsidered. Perhaps it has other purposes further in the game.

 

[Noisepurge]

hot damn the game looks so much better than i expected. Where can i pre-order the EU limited edition!?

 

[Henchmen21]

hot damn the game looks so much better than i expected. Where can i pre-order the EU limited edition!?

Nowhere currently. There's been some sort of snag with that. Cox mentioned that Konami would make an announcement about it after the release date.

That gets me to thinking. I wonder if this EU early demo is Konami's way of making up for the Collectors Edition snafu. Would make sense if it was.

 

[ULTROS!]

It does not, I'm afraid. Just the Combat Cross, Subweapons, Dark Magic, and Light Magic are the only elements of "inventory", really.

Unless you count Life Gems, Light Gems, Dark Gems, and the number of abilities you get as the game progresses as some form of inventory, too.

Meh, guess I'll pass. One of the big plusses of Castlevania games post SotN is the Inventory system + collecting.

 

[Noisepurge]

YES! . Time to load up Bloody Tears.

The game is said to have classic Castlevania tunes in as new orchestral remixes ;D So i would'nt load custom soundtracks on the first playthrough...

edit:

I heard that weapons feel weightless? Is this true?

Well..it's a whip and light silver daggers that you throw, so...

 

[Suzzopher]

Well I enjoyed that

 

[Valcryst]

Snapped some pictures of the game. Sorry about the quality and light conditions.

http://glaurung.planet.ee/img/loot/los_00.jpg
http://glaurung.planet.ee/img/loot/los_01.jpg
http://glaurung.planet.ee/img/loot/los_02.jpg
http://glaurung.planet.ee/img/loot/los_03.jpg
http://glaurung.planet.ee/img/loot/los_04.jpg
http://glaurung.planet.ee/img/loot/los_05.jpg

WHOA! I LOVE the art style of the travel book...I can buy the game for this feature alone!

 

[LowParry]

The game is said to have classic Castlevania tunes in as new orchestral remixes ;D So i would'nt load custom soundtracks on the first playthrough...

You can actually here a little bit of Beginning towards the end of the TGS trailer. Speaking of, where in blazes the english version?

 

[Sevket-Erhat]

I cannot wait to try it next week

 

[web01]

Played the demo not very impressed.

Another game with tiny text even in HD on a 46 inch television.

Camera feels way too zoomed out yet enemies can still dissappear off screen.

Combat is a blantent god of war rip off but not as good. Is it really that hard to come up with some original attacks?

Narration was a bit cheesy.

Talking horses lol.

Music was nice.

Will wait for reviews demo was a bit short to make a proper judgement.

 

[Basilisco V.]

Camera feels way too zoomed out yet enemies can still dissappear off screen.

What? The camera is good, in fact the distance is good imo

Combat is a blantent god of war rip off but not as good. Is it really that hard to come up with some original attacks?

This game uses the universal system of Attack A, attack B and combos with them, which GOW didn't invented ¬¬U. Actually one of the things I loved more from the demo was that the combat, the chain whip was pretty cool and responsive.

Narration was a bit cheesy.

LOL?

Talking horses lol.

Yeah, vampires, demons, witches are very ordinary, and the horse is not a "random magic talking horse", from the trailers is clear that is

Spoiler

Pan

 

[matrix-cat]

I'm very glad to hear about the shoulder button + left stick dodging. I like God of War, but rolling with the right stick is an awful trend. Left stick is for character movement, right stick is for camera control. If you can't control the camera that doesn't give you permission to split character movement over two analogue sticks. Left stick to move your character, right stick to move him a bit faster? It's silly. Having blocking and rolling, both defensive actions, on the same button and using the analogue stick your thumb is already on is so much better.

 

[web01]

What? The camera is good, in fact the distance is good imo


This game uses the universal system of Attack A, attack B and combos with them, which GOW didn't invented ¬¬U. Actually one of the things I loved more from the demo was that the combat, the chain whip was pretty cool and responsive.


Yeah, vampires, demons, witches are very ordinary, and the horse is not a "random magic talking horse", from the trailers is clear that is

Spoiler

Pan

The camera could be alot better, its zoomed out for the sake of showing off the pretty backgrounds / scenery but could be alot more functional for gameplay. Especially when enemies keep vanishing off screen during the village sequence.

The attack moves themselves are ripped straight out of god of war its hard to deny that....

 

[ShinobiFist]

Played the demo not very impressed.

Another game with tiny text even in HD on a 46 inch television.

Camera feels way too zoomed out yet enemies can still dissappear off screen.

Combat is a blantent god of war rip off but not as good. Is it really that hard to come up with some original attacks?

Narration was a bit cheesy.

Talking horses lol.

Music was nice.

Will wait for reviews demo was a bit short to make a proper judgement.

Boy, you must hate Disney films and all sorts of fantasy shit. Your childhood must of sucked balls man. Here, have a internet cookie....*The power of imagination Is awesome!* Oh, and on the narration part, my avatar says hi

 

[Hanmik]

Here is a playthrough..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00P6VMi4L64&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOO7SV4iey8&feature=player_embedded

not me playing though..!

 

[web01]

Boy, you must hate Disney films and all sorts of fantasy shit. Your childhood must of sucked balls man. Here, have a internet cookie....*The power of imagination Is awesome!* Oh, and on the narration part, my avatar says hi

Not at all the talking horse was just random / funny and seemed unnecessary.
As for the narration I should clarify Patrick Stewart is great but the writing is extremely cheesy.

Anyway play the demo for yourself and you will see the game is very underwhelming and with that I am out before I invoke the wrath of anymore castlevania fans who will try and defend anything wrong with demo.

 

[Mako_Drug]

Just had a run through and the narration is snore-worthy. The game looks great and seems engaging enough but I was getting mad God of War vibes and I've pretty much had my fill of that for this year.

 

[Canova]

My only concern is that there is no other primary weapon. 20-30 hours with just a whip will be very boring

 

[ShinobiFist]

Not at all the talking horse was just random / funny and seemed unnecessary.
As for the narration I should clarify Patrick Stewart is great but the writing is extremely cheesy.

Anyway play the demo for yourself and you will see the game is very underwhelming and with that I am out before I invoke the wrath of anymore castlevania fans who will try and defend anything wrong with demo.

I did play the DEMO

Spoiler

On Youtube

You're right about the writing, but I've heard worse. I like what I saw and heard. The sound team came through on this one. Can't say much about the controls yet, but from what I seen. This is the CastleVania game I've been waiting for, not that IGA crap*Shakes Fist*

 

[Henchmen21]

Here is a playthrough..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00P6VMi4L64&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOO7SV4iey8&feature=player_embedded

not me playing though..!

Wow they guy playing sucked. Although I do love Mercurysteams logo with the bats

 

[Noisepurge]

My only concern is that there is no other primary weapon. 20-30 hours with just a whip will be very boring

Isn't it upgradeable? Like in Harmony of Dissonance. So it will gain new abilities and magical effects etc.

 

[Corto]

Sorry to ask such a simple question, but can someone please tell me how you stay up in the horse? What do I have to do when the circles appear and the camera zooms in?

 

[Suzzopher]

Sorry to ask such a simple question, but can someone please tell me how you stay up in the horse? What do I have to do when the circles appear and the camera zooms in?

I just timed hitting the square button when the circles lined up.

 

[Corto]

I just timed hitting the square button when the circles lined up.

Thanks, I was just spamming R2 thinking that if it was the grab button then it must work in this situation too.. :lol

 

[Noisepurge]

Sorry to ask such a simple question, but can someone please tell me how you stay up in the horse? What do I have to do when the circles appear and the camera zooms in?

Like the tutorial instructs: "hit any button when the circles are aligned"
and i think it means any of the facebuttons.

 

[SolidSnakex]

The game has been given GamesMaster's Gold Award, along with Xbox World 360's Star Player accolade. Both are only bestowed on games that crack the elusive 90% barrier.

'Water Castlevania's roots and a rollicking adventure sprouts forth," writes Xbox World 360. 'Brilliant, bloody fun... Lords Of Shadow feels like 16-bit design filtered through 20 years of innovation. there is passion here for the old ways - all buffed to a 2010 gleam.'

GamesMaster adds: 'A strong contender for action game of the year. The triumphant reimagining the series has always deserved.'

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=266241

 

[SapientWolf]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=266241

It's getting 90+ early reviews from two European gaming magazine's I've never heard of so it's gonna be a classic for sure.

 

[Nostalgic Nightmare]

That's a relief, I still have it pre-ordered, and I am grateful for the demo impressions.
Most of them seem like nitpicks but that could be because of the age of the demo.

 

[drhankmccoyphd]

Was PS3 lead platform on LoS? Still not sure which platform I'll play it on.