Hideo Kojima has confirmed he's collaborating on the development of Western action adventure Lords of Shadow, which has now been revealed as a new Castlevania game.
The game, being developed Clive Barker's Jericho dev Mercury Steam, was originally unveiled last year as just "Lords of Shadow" for Xbox 360 and PS3. Apparently Konami wanted to keep the 'Castlevania' bit under wraps until now (or it just slapped it on later... whatever).
Castlevania's "brave new direction" takes place at the end of days, when the Earth's alliance with the Heavens has been threatened by a dark and malevolent force - the mysterious Lords of Shadow - and darkness reigns the world.
Lords of Shadow
Official trailer
1:50
Lords of Shadow
Official trailer
1:50
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You play as Robert Carlyle-voiced Gabriel, a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. "His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity," says Konami.
"Neither living nor dead she realises the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny - and hopefully salvation for the world... but at what cost?" We reckon there'll be lots of cut-scenes.
Armed with the "versatile Combat Cross", Gabriel must travel the destroyed world, defeating the evil tyrants in order to use their powers to bring balance back to the world.
The game's star-studded voice cast also includes Patrick Stewart as "the mysterious Zobek", Natasha McElhone (The Other Boleyn Girl, Californication, The Truman Show) and Jason Isaacs (Black Hawk Down, Harry Potter series).
"Kojima Productions had learned the differences of western development teams and Japanese studios" said Ken Imaizumi, Senior Producer of Kojima Productions, on the news.
"Mercury Steam is definitely one of the most talented studios in the world. We quickly agreed that we should work together and exchange ideas and knowhow across the board. We have full trust that the next generation Castlevania experience will deliver a high quality intense experience worthy of the Kojima Productions name and we are proud that this title will mark a new global direction for Konami as a company dedicated to breaking new ground in digital entertainment."
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow will be released in 2010 for PS3 and Xbox 360.
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