Scratch everything you know about previous instalments in the long-running Castlevania series. Konamis spectacularly dapper reboot of the beloved series has been given an eye-watering 21st century sheen and in place remains a game that has more in common with the likes of gaming titans, God Of War and ICO, than any other Vanias in the fiendish series canon. Spanish developer Mercury Steam has delivered something that begs to be ogled, explored and mastered, much like Octobers other belter, Ninja Theorys Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.
Playing as Gabriel Belmont (voiced by Robert Carlyle), a member of the Brotherhood of Light, the objective is simple: save the world from an impending eternity in darkness by battling nefarious creatures of the night including beefy werewolves, blood sucking vamps and gargantuan bosses. Its all standard fare, but presented with pure pizzazz from a developer with just one, albeit a stinker, current-gen game under its belt (yes, were looking at you Clive Barkers Jericho). From the thrilling set pieces through to the phenomenal light effects, textures and sturdy frame rate, Mercury Steam and co-conspirator, Hideo Kojima of Metal Gear Solid fame, have wheeled out yet another reason for us gamers to smash a game late into the night.