In 2010, the rather enjoyable Castlevania: Lords of Shadow ended with a major plot twist revealing that Gabriel Belmont was alive during modern times and was now called Dracula, taking on the famous vampire’s persona and visage. This left fans to wonder how the sequel would continue the story, either as Dracula or fighting against the protagonist from the original game. Four years later, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 answered the question, but it’s a question that probably was more interesting to think about than how Konami approached it.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 chooses to continue with the same protagonist of Gabriel Belmont, now called Dracula, and picks up the story after a second game, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, though it quickly glosses over those stories, even when they play a pivotal point in the development of a few characters.

With the player now in charge of one of the most fearsome vampires, one who the franchise has used multiple times since the beginning, it would be a chance to deliver an interesting look at both the character and mythos at the core of the Castlevania franchise. Instead, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 feels like it tries to stay true to the formula the series has embraced with the main character fighting some great evil with numerous minions.

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