Jack S – Google

The combat is extremely fun and satisfying. There are several different combo routes you can use based on the situation you're in. Different combos you can follow up with after a parry or dodge. A counter mechanic that if successful, gives you significant benefits. Mix in all the special skills and guns, and it's a formula for a great time. The game uses skill trees for you to customize how you want to play. It also has some light rpg elements that let you choose your loadouts further spec into your preferred play style. Maps are either branching linear or giant open areas. Both have secrets and quests that are fun to uncover and explore. My only con to the game is that the desert and ruined cityscape themes are overused. I would love to see more varied locations in the sequel.

Almost a good show. A lot of time is spent talking. Normally, I'd be alright with that, but it added little to the lore and world building. Inclusion and diversity is fine, but it was hamfisted in. Castlevania should be an about an adventure, not a channel for the showrunners to echo the same politics we hear on the news everyday. It's not clever and it doesn't need to be in an anime about vampires. I drew the line at devout Christian zealot soldier being gay. That didn't make any sense and was completely out of left field. Revolution, anti operation, and anti slavery make sense together for that time period. But then shoehorning that scene with Olrox and Mizrak was blatant political pandering. Good shows don't break immersion. Seems like whoever greenlit this simply went down a checklist of buzz popular buzzwords. Next time, make it less obtrusive and don't devote so much time to it.