Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD (PlayStation 3) Review

Mirror of Fate HD really does seem like it was pushed out there as soon as possible in order for fans to play the game before Lords of Shadow 2 arrives in February. For the most part, there isn't a great deal of brand new content over the original Nintendo 3DS game, but what has been added will likely please series fans, though it's not enough that would entice any owners of the portable version to double dip.

Notably, there is a new Boss Rush mode and online leader boards, plus some much-needed lip-synching for cut-scenes and the fact that QTEs have been done away with for finishing off bosses. Thankfully, the awful frame-rates of the portable version have now been greatly improved; it does still drop on certain occasions, but the speed of gameplay is much faster and a lot more consistent throughout the adventure.

Obviously, the graphics are the immediate difference, where everything from textures to lighting is notably superior. Clearly, it's not pushing the console tech by any stretch of the imagination, but the eerie and gothic setting for Dracula's fortress is evoked quite well, with the markedly better visuals helping to further set the tone. Playing with a controller also makes the experience far more comfortable, where it's possible to use either the D-pad or the analogue stick for movement, instead of just the Circle Pad of the 3DS.

Mirror of Fate HD brings back more of the classic style and gameplay of the early games in the Castlevania series, where there is far less of a focus on different abilities to utilise in combat, with just the whip being used primarily in tandem with combos to unleash stronger attacks. Unlike the DS games, which had a huge range of moves to learn and weapons and abilities to equip, Mirror of Fate HD is much more toned down in this regard, where only a couple of other weapons can be flicked through to use against enemies, such as a throwing axe or boomerang, and where just two power ups can be learnt per character to increase attack damage or absorb health from foes. Level progression becomes less interesting as compared to the experience-based mechanics of such a game as Dawn of Sorrow, where gaining a level in Mirror of Fate HD will just unlock a new combo attack. This reduction in variety in these areas, as well as the lack of diversity in foes, will disappoint those that spent a lot of time with the DS titles and grew to love the gameplay and character growth they offered.

Playing the adventure through as three different characters, which are, disappointingly, almost identical in their abilities - one after the other until each one's 'Act' comes to an end - Mirror of Fate HD plays out in a more linear fashion than that of previous games. There are indeed a number of nooks to seek out, which are usually simple to spot, to collect health and magic meter upgrades, and now and again there is some back-tracking, but it is generally a straightforward venture through to the next area, next boss and ultimately, the end of the current character's story. The plot won't win any awards, and despite bringing together the two Lords of Shadow games, it really feels like more could have been delivered to create a more engaging story.