Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 dev diary talks up the modern age

One of the key changes in the second (numbered) Lords of Shadow title is that Dracula has returned to life in a modern city very much like some of the older burghs in Europe. Dev diary #2 explores the thought that the team at Mercury Steam put into that new idea for Castlevania.

Featuring Dave Cox, Producer of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 and Studio Head of European Production for Konami Digital Entertainment B.V and Enric Alvarez, Head of Development at MercurySteam, the video details how the events of the new game take place during the course of one night, within both a modern city setting and Dracula’s castle. Cox and Alvarez discuss how Dracula’s evil presence has impacted the many environments, with the castle’s Gothic look having a huge influence on the surrounding settings and their design, while also tying in the familiar look of past Castlevania titles.

The five-minute video offers a tantalizing glimpse of the game’s many settings, and how MercurySteam’s native Madrid provided inspiration for the locations. The pair also touch on the menagerie of creatures and bosses that lurk within the city, and set the stage for the game’s climactic confrontation with Satan himself.

Lots to like here in Lords of Shadow 2. The city setting for the bulk of the game is so fresh for a Castlevania title (of any timeline) that it’s almost enough to carry the entire experience all by itself. Of course, there’s a ton more to this one than just that. Drac himself is also completely different than he’s ever been thanks to the all-new origin.

It’s pretty cool too how MercurySteam has actually worked their own home city into the game as a part of the architecture of the city. Even though it’s a fictional setting, it definitely seems to have a sense of realism to it and MercurySteam’s attention to detail is probably a big reason why.

Check it out when Castelvania: Lords of Shadow 2 sinks its fangs into the Xbox 360, PS3, PC on February 25th from Konami.