The Art of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

One hit video game franchise that has left on mark on video game history and players is Konami’s Castlevania. I remember playing Super Castlevania 4 on the SNES and boy, did it make an impression on me. Konami seeing the Castlevania series lose steam with fans over years, decided to let video game studio MercurySteam re-imagine and re-invent the game to a new audience. With the sequel Lords of Shadow 2 just released in stores, here is a look at Titan Books – The Art of Castlevania – Lords of Shadow.

The book is packed with drawings, paintings, concept art and commentary on the making of Lords of Shadow. Unlike other video game books that focus on video game designs, weapons, storyboards, author Martin Robinson focuses on the challenge MercurySteam’s re-imaging of the characters – the Belmont family and Gabriel and changing the gameplay. And the other big elephant in the room was getting the approving nod from Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid). Now that is pressure.

It might look like a typical video game art book, but video game journalist Martin Robinson takes us on a ride into MercurySteam’s struggle to create something new and different but also building onto the Castlevania legacy. If you’re a fan of the Lords of Shadow series, you might want to add this book to your Castlevania collection.