Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Ultimate Edition Review
With the addition of the two DLCs, beautiful art and some small extras thrown in for fun, this Ultimate Edition is well worth the buy
Set in to the level design is the regular appearance of puzzles that must be solved in order to continue. These puzzles are usually story relevant with only a rare few being put simply to confound the player with abstract riddle. These puzzles can be simple manoeuvring challenges which rely on the players quick and nimble controller movements, to logical conundrums and riddles that must be understood first before the pieces may be moved in to their correct places. There is a wide variety of these puzzles that occur on a regular basis and whose completion gains experience. These puzzles can be solved instantly if a scroll on which a hint and description of the puzzle is found. The side-stepped puzzle does not give out an experience bonus, though, so the challenges are well worth the time they take while also giving an out for the particularly stubborn ones.
What this re-release offers as extras in its Ultimate Edition is reason enough to buy. Lords of Shadow is now soaked in magnificent drawn and painted representations of every enemy type, boss, and character. Once met, a notification will show and the games menu will direct the player to the amazingly detailed pencil portraits depicting the enemy or friendly along with a description and a visual representation of its defences and weaknesses, where applicable. Points can also be saved and spent in an Extras menu in which concept art, storyboards, and painted level designs can be accessed after the completion of their respective chapter. These drawings and paintings are indeed works of art and any fans of the Castlevania series, dev team, or any aspiring and established artists will find these pieces both beautiful and technically sound.
The jewel of the proverbial crown, however, is the DLC. Reverie and Redemption, two extra chapters that lead through the aftermath of the Lords of Shadow storyline, take us to the desolate castle of the defeated vampiric Lord of Shadow to answer the call of the previously met Laura who is now alone and afraid. She, a vampire herself and adopted child of the Lord of Shadow, tells Gabriel of The Forgotten One, an ancient demon that was summoned by a previous owner of the castle and sealed by the founders of the Brotherhood of Light. With the death of the three Lords of Shadow, the demon's prison is weakening and it will soon be released. Gabriel must enter the prison and defeat The Forgotten One before it escapes and acts out its well planned revenge on the world. However, to enter the prison Gabriel must drink the blood of Laura and become a vampire, as humans can not enter and survive. On the inevitable defeat of The Forgotten One and the assumption of its power, he now becomes the Prince of Darkness, the dreaded and legendary Dracula, thus setting up the upcoming Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Ultimate Edition does not just give what was already given, but adds to it with upgraded graphics and beautiful and interesting additional content. The foundation of such a strong revamp of a classic series to the modern action-adventure genre quiets most complaints and comments right off the bat. Those who have played or are interested in Lords of Shadow know what they will be getting. If one was looking forward to the sequel, this Ultimate Edition brings the player up to speed all for one price. As a personal note, I very much enjoyed this Castlevania and am looking forward to the sequel.