Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

The few complaints I've aimed at Castlevania: Lords of Shadow can't withstand its engaging combat and unapologetic march through danger. Being a hero will never lose its charm, even in a linear world that guarantees your victory. I know, I know -- if you're adamant about the previous formula, then maybe you won't believe this is Castlevania. But if you've grown tired of it and hoped to see a beautiful restoration of the timeless quest, you'll probably be on my side when I say: Guys, I can't believe this is Castlevania.

The combat is great and the boss battles are quite memorable, but it degenerates when those core ideas clash--when Castlevania ignores what it does so well (action) for the sake of creating a more diverse experience. The problem is that diversity ultimately adds nothing notable except for shallow adventure elements and frustration. It's a good start for a series in need of some new blood--so to speak--it's just unfortunate so much of it comes from other games and not an original source.

Calling CLOS a surprise hit might be a little unfair, as the game looked impressive throughout development, but it's fair to say that I simply didn't expect to enjoy it this much. With a combat system that cleverly overcomes button mashing, wonderful design work and a story that spans far longer than your average video game, Lords of Shadow is exactly what the Castlevania franchise needed to find popularity with a new generation of gamers - and us oldies too.