E3 2009: Hideo Kojima Announces Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

By now, you’re likely fully familiar with Kojima Productions’ E3 teaser site.  You’ve heard about Metal Gear Solid: Rising and MGS: Peace Walker, but you likely HAVEN’T seen Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for PS3 and XBOX 360.  Announced tonight by Hideo Kojima himself at Konami’s E3 press conference, Lords of Shadow is the final piece of the Kojima Productions puzzle.

Formerly known as Project MASK, this game is a collaboration between European dev studio MercurySteam and Kojima Productions.  Being touted as a relaunch of the legendary Castlevania franchise, Lords of Shadow boasts high-quality graphics, open world gameplay, and combat similar in tone to God of War.  It also boasts considerable star power, with actors such as Jason Isaacs, Nastasha McElhone, and Patrick Stewart providing voice work for the game.  Yes, that’s right, Patrick Stewart.  You can have a heart attack now if you like.  Not much is known about the story, except that the main character’s name is Gabriel (connection to the Belmont clan currently unknown) and he’s seeking a way to resurrect his dead wife.  I’m sure Dracula will find a way in there somehow before the end of the game, though.

The game is due out worldwide on Playstation 3 and XBOX 360 next year, so until then you’re going to have to make do with the game’s trailer, posted on Konami’s site.  3D Castlevania titles have always gotten a bit of a bad rap; hopefully, with Kojima’s guidance, Lords of Shadow will manage to escape Dracula’s curse.