Konami: Lords Of Shadow Success "Caught Everyone By Surprise"
With Castlevania: Lords of Shadow probably being the best 3D effort in the franchise's long history, and solid sales to boot, it's surprising to hear that the publisher didn't really anticipate such success.
In speaking to Gameranx, head of product planning and development Dave Cox said the reason the downloadable content for LoS was sorta lackluster was because they never planned for any DLC. Said Cox:
"The problem was that the game's success caught everyone by surprise. It caught senior management by surprise and they wanted us to do DLC. We never planned to do DLC, so we ended up doing DLC after the fact and in hindsight that was a mistake. It was rushed. We had to rush it to market."
But they're not going to make the same mistake with the upcoming Lords of Shadow 2. They're certainly hoping for more success and they're also thinking about preparing some good DLC. This time around, Cox says they probably want to offer a side story or something that "enriches the original story," which should appeal more to fans.
"I think if we were going to do DLC again it would have to be planned right from the get go. And it wouldn't be something that would try to build upon an ending--it would be something that's perhaps a side story that enriches the original story. If we were going to do DLC again, it would be something much more carefully considered."
That's the kind of DLC I happen to like, by the way: Extra content that builds on the single-player element. Incredibly rare when compared to the multiplayer DLC, but still...
Related Game(s): Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Tags: castlevania lords of shadow, lords of shadow dlc, mercurysteam
6/29/2012 10:13:32 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (22 posts)
Temjin001
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 10:36:47 AM
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Ultimadream
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 10:53:22 AM
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CrusaderForever
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:09:10 AM
Ultimadream
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:53:31 AM
Hmmm well maybe I'll reconsider it if I see if for a reasonable price.
Last edited by Ultimadream on 6/29/2012 12:02:21 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 12:05:55 PM
Oyashiro
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 7:21:24 PM
___________
Saturday, June 30, 2012 @ 3:36:36 AM
Excelsior1
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:01:29 AM
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It's just a beautiful game that sports a deep and intricate battle system that is tough to master but once you do have it mastered it is so addicting. I have so much admiration and love for this underrated game. It takes you accross so many beautiful and expansive vistas featuring so much variety. Such an ambitous game from a game design level. They threw in everything including kitchen sink when it comes to beautiful and expansive levels...depth in battle system, variety of enemies, and great boss battles.
Wow, what a great game that just oozes with quality. A very lengthy game too that is a great value for gamers sporting a 20 hr campign. I agree with Temjin so much!! This game has so many stand out moments. Some of the best I have ever seen. Temjin's admiration for the art design is spot on too. What a beautiful game.
Spolier Alert(maybe).
I will just say this game has one the best endings I have seen this generation. There is a spectacular plot twist after the ending credits that flips the series on its head. Wow!!! I sure didn't see that coming.
Congradulations to Mercury Steam for making a top notch game a reviving the Castlevannia series.
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 6/29/2012 11:09:26 AM
CrusaderForever
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:10:52 AM
ZenChichiri
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:51:26 AM
Things I wish for in the sequel to Lords of Shadow:
1) Some more throwbacks to old Castlevania games (music in particular as the God of War ripoff epic themes kind of piss me off). Although there was a good song or two in there that really drew me in to the scenery. Particularly the slower ones.
2) More useful higher end moves. Ones that I really want to actually use and not have to considerably plan to pull off for small rewards.
3) More options on the Colossi (for lack of a better word) battles. They were too linear. Often times in Shadow of the Colossus there are multiple ways to tackle the bosses, but not in LoS. Give me more options and don't force my hand.
4) Clean up the story. I know you wanted me to way "WTF?!" at the end of LoS, and you did make me do it, but you pissed me off with how you threw the entire Castlevania timeline out the window.
PS - I'm sorry I'm drunk as in Korea they just keep feeding you the stuff when you're out and about.
Last edited by ZenChichiri on 6/29/2012 11:52:18 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 12:07:55 PM
Excelsior1
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 1:07:01 PM
On the higher difficulties I did have some success with different moves I had learned. There is a lot of variety in the battle system...it probably depends on thr the gamer's playing style. There are abilties that at first glance don't look so powerful but if you pair them up with counters and other attacks/combos...wow a lot of depth there if you want to use it. I enjoyed the tactical part of planning attacks even if the rewards were low...I just enjoyed the variety and tactical aspects. You are absolutely correct on having to watch what you are doing are you will get obliterated.
Hmm. More high level attacks. Sounds good BUT might take away from the challenge. I'm cool with it if they balance it out and keep the challenge high. The battle system is already so tight and deep. I don't want it dumbed down. I know that's not what you said but fear that could be a result of more high level attacks if it's not handled correctly.
hehe. They sure did create a WTF moment with the ending didn't they? I liked it though. That ending will stand out in my mind for a long time. I absolutely LOVED it!!
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 6/29/2012 1:20:06 PM
ZenChichiri
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 7:40:59 PM
The thing with Paladin mode (I did plat the game) is that you're forced into using the safer moves because the other moves will get you killed. I wish that the other moves were more useful in higher difficulties. Unfortunately I found myself spamming the basic combo most of the time, with some other moves thrown in there when I was absolutely certain I would not get rocked.
Of course that could be just me not having mastered the game, but it felt like the only way out! I'm eagerly looking forward to both of the next LoS games though, so let's hope they listen to my pleas.
Also one more thing. The epic music is good SOMETIMES but they really overplayed it. I want a throwback with some more gothic style songs mixed in with the epic tracks. A more diverse musical palette, like the older games, would do the scenery and beauty of the game more justice, as the scenery at times is drop dead gorgeous.
PS - I now have a headache from all that drinking. Ouch!
Last edited by ZenChichiri on 6/29/2012 7:41:41 PM
CrusaderForever
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:06:50 AM
Reply
YashaZz
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 8:57:38 PM
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 11:38:37 AM
Reply
YashaZz
Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 9:00:02 PM
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Oh, and I think I'm the only one who thinks the DLC was awesome as well. I only missed the 3D rendered cut scenes, don't really like the comic style.
___________
Saturday, June 30, 2012 @ 3:42:15 AM
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not to mention it had not received a title in quite some time!
there was so much hype for it, and it got mostly high reviews!
and this surprised them that it sold well?
its like saying wow were shocked black ops 2 shattered sales records!
i think it was pretty much a given.
so cant wait till the sequel comes out, even the 3DS title mirror of fate.
its a shame its not coming out on the vita, it would of been really cool and they could of had some cross play or bonus items for CLOS 2.
or at least bring CLOS 2 over to the vita!
come on the vita is BEGGING for a action game, and there is NO better action game than CLOS!
shocked i actually enjoyed this more than GOW3, dantes inferno, DMC 4 and enslaved put together!
only darksiders is a better action game, pretty close though but darksiders pinches it.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow









bebestorm
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Friday, June 29, 2012 @ 10:32:27 AM