Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32

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  1. Storm1672
    Mar 11, 2014
    6
    Though the atmosphere and the story are good, the rest of the game is just average. It has a good pace but that's a trick of the storytelling. The throwable power-ups are all essentially the same and the fighting is toned down from the first game to somewhat dull...

    It could be a 8 or possibly a 7 if it wasn't for the overall lazy done port and those damn loading times. On the 3DS, I    Though the atmosphere and the story are good, the rest of the game is just average. It has a good pace but that's a trick of the storytelling. The throwable power-ups are all essentially the same and the fighting is toned down from the first game to somewhat dull...

    It could be a 8 or possibly a 7 if it wasn't for the overall lazy done port and those damn loading times. On the 3DS, I could see why it's good, but on the home consoles, the expectations are higher. With competition such as Shadow Complex and Guacamelee, this is obviously inferior in every possible aspect.

    Nonetheless, if you like the Lords of Shadow story, there is fun to be had here, as is for the metroidvania lovers. There are a lot of boss fights with some of them being cool and the others quite nice. The levels are boring as is the platforming, but if you like collectibles and "100% status", you will give this game some of your time. I liked it because of its story, but if you are not a Castlevania fan, there are way better options both for a good Castlevania game and for a metroidvania game.

    If you want to see what happens between LoS 1 and 2, you can watch the clip at the beginning (about 15 minutes in) of LoS 2. Though it felt way better learning the story through Mirror of Fate, it's no big deal if you choose to pass on this game.    … Expand
  2. neomoonsevin
    Nov 19, 2022
    3
    Rubbish Konami did the mistake of changing this to the shert side scrolling view its always been in, its not 1986 anymore if this was a 3rd person like its brothers LOS1 and 2 then it would of got a marvelous 10 but no im give this a 3. apart from the timeline and where this event takes place the rest is bs i hate this and regret my purchase on xbox digital
  3. Rodrigo_31
    Aug 20, 2016
    9
    It captures the sense of nostalgia and the 3D technology with the Lords of Shadow linking the classic plot in such a mix, that is irresistible. The puzzles are awesome, the atmosphere is terrific, it has an identity on its on and it is a rare jewel for that.
  4. Professorfett
    Jul 30, 2018
    7
    Castlevania Mirror of Fate is the answer to all those people who had a problem with Lords of Shadow. Now while I personally love the ever loving **** out of Lords of Shadow a lot of people got their panties in a bunch saying, "well it's not the Castlevania I know and love and I have a ton of sand in my vagina". This is Konami's answer or should I say MercurySteam's answer to thoseCastlevania Mirror of Fate is the answer to all those people who had a problem with Lords of Shadow. Now while I personally love the ever loving **** out of Lords of Shadow a lot of people got their panties in a bunch saying, "well it's not the Castlevania I know and love and I have a ton of sand in my vagina". This is Konami's answer or should I say MercurySteam's answer to those complainers. How? You maybe wondering well sir or madam they made this game in the good ole Metrovania style that everyone including me loves. This game is a 3D-2D plat former if that makes any sense at all. It also is no longer a 3DS game it is now out of the Xbox Live Market Place so all us people who don't own a handheld can now rejoice in the fact we get to play the sequel to Lords of Shadow.

    The plot to this game is one of revenge and well the beginning of the war between the Belmont family and Dracula. You first step in the shoes of Simon Belmont. He was the hero in the first Castlevania game and boy does he look way different than I imagine. Who would've guessed Simon was a ginger? Not this gaming Critic. You play as Simon and it seriously feels like a baby between Castlevania on the NES and Lords of Shadow. Simon doesn't really speak a whole ton but the game picks up in the second and third act when you get to play as Alucard. Alucard is Dracula's son and he is looking out for Simon most of the game, honestly if you can't figure out the secret identity of this character while playing the game I pity you but I also will not spoil it. As Alucard the game picks up because he has a lot more of an interesting goal and more of a backstory. Simon literally is just revenge!!! Alucard is more just coming with the terms he is monster and trying to clean up the mess his father has made. You don't get to see a ton of Dracula in this game but you do fight him so that's a plus in a lot of ways this feels like Symphony of the Night with the certain bosses you fight. The ending was rather cool I almost felt it made up for the lack of story. Sadly kids to get the true ending you have to get 100% and this ending just gives you a bit of closer on the game overall.

    The graphics are well how nice can I put this? **** on toast, that's about as nice as I can put this the only reason why they suck is because this game was originally a 3DS game. Now I'm not saying the handheld looked bad but be in mind it was on a tiny screen. In order to put in on a big screen they should've took a lot more time making it look better. The game is cell shaded or lazy man graphics. Cell Shading has become this thing where if you don't want to have to use the top notch graphics use cell shading so people will give it a pass. I've had it with this graphical style in my video games but I do understand budgets so nothing I can do.

    The sound in this game is generic. The voice acting is bare minimum, so much so I can't fairly judge it. The music wasn't that memorable either the only thing I give credit to would be the creature sounds, but even that is a bunch of rawr and brallabb.

    The gameplay like I said was Metrovania, it's a side scrolling platforming, puzzle based game beat em up. I know one hell of a category that's why we go with Metrovania. This game does have a level up system which I honestly didn't understand what happened when I leveled up. You also find pick up items that increase health and magic, and a side idem like throwing axes or holy water. If what I am explaining sounds like older Castlevania that's because this is a lot like that. The changes are they do have quick time events I know boo. They also have the combat system from Lords of Shadow. It is less God of War like and more like a modern side scroller. I do believe this is the new way we will see Metrovania games or at least I hope so. This game also has a difficulty setting that only Lords of Shadow had if you are new to these games I would say put it on easy it'll be a great way to dip your toe in. While I am not new I needed to fly through it so I put it on easy it was very stress free which I know you arm chair bad-asses can say what you will I honestly don't care. It isn't terribly long of a game, I can see story only clocking in at about 4 hours. Now if you go back an do a new game plus thing and you really explore I can see it being a nice 6-7 hours of gameplay.

    Now 15 dollars for this may seem excessive to some and the die hard fans may already own this. I can't recommend full price for this game unless you like all yes Lords of Shadow and Old style Castlevania games. The new people wait, just wait for Xbox Live to have a sale and get it for like ten dollars find it for a bargain. My overall thoughts and rating of this game is while it's not perfect the game is still ton of fun and very good mix of old and new Castlevania. Many won't like this game as much as I did some even more but I give this a fair rating of 7/10.    … Expand
  5. Awanka
    Dec 10, 2020
    4
    I was a huge fan of the original Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. In fact I would say it's my favorite Castlevania game, even more so than Symphony of the Night. It had great music, great combat, compelling characters, and a pretty good story.

    This spinoff is a poor pantomime of that game, and is missing all those things that made it great. The story is fairly underwhelming, but does    I was a huge fan of the original Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. In fact I would say it's my favorite Castlevania game, even more so than Symphony of the Night. It had great music, great combat, compelling characters, and a pretty good story.

    This spinoff is a poor pantomime of that game, and is missing all those things that made it great. The story is fairly underwhelming, but does reveal important details about the origins of Trevor, Simon, Alucard, and how they are linked together through Gabriel/Dracula. The game is fairly short, but split between 3 different campaigns as you play through each of the characters. The hit and miss 2D combat is simplified, but still manages to incorporate a rather robust moveset of blocking, evading, parrying, and various special moves such as aerial area-of-effect attacks, and alternating combo attacks. The interplay of combat doesn't feel satisfying against the enemies you face though. There's just something lacking, probably carried over from it originally being a handheld console game.

    The Xbox version also had a bug that kept me from being able to 100% complete the game, which was pretty frustrating. The whole experience feels watered down, and I have to give it a slightly below average rating. I consider the original Lords of Shadow to be a 9/10. This is more like a 4/10.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. DarkZero
    Jan 22, 2014
    70
    The game is worth a prod though because the feeling can’t be matched. It’s a classic game, with most of the best elements, tossed into a nifty hitch of a game ported over from the DS.
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  2. NZGamer
    Jan 15, 2014
    75
    This is the best version of the game, without a doubt, but it’s the best version of a game that is still, at it’s core, good without ever crossing the threshold into great.
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  3. CD-Action
    Jan 10, 2014
    70
    It’s not the best Castlevania game ever, but for a digitally distributed minor title it’s really decent. And the visuals are surprisingly good for a game initially created for the 3DS. [01/2014, p.62]
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