Konami has just released a demo for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for all three platforms it's headed - Xbox 360, PS3, and PC via Steam. This playable demo will showcase the first part of the game and let you try out the new controllable camera and combat style. You're playing Dracula this time so no wimpy whips for you- the dark prince wields a sword, like a proper badass.
We've already seen a few scenes from the game, including the return of the Toy Maker and the unveiling of Dracula's Void Sword, but here we'll be able to check out the prelude to the full game. During the demo you'll have access to the Void Sword and the armor-destroying Chaos Claws, and they've included a Titan combat sequence, "wherein a gigantic enemy creation forms a moving location during the game, with Dracula scaling the moving behemoth as it assails his castle." Sounds great. As noted this is set in modern times and sees what Dracula's minions have been up to (like, weapons dealers) and sees Dracula fighting off Satan himself. That's a bit of a cop-out I think- you finally get to play the evil guy himself and you have to fight an eviler one? Why not kill off a Belmont or two? Would have been darkly entertaining if nothing else...
Now, the first review for the game just came out and wasn't promising, with Game Informer slamming it for having stealth sections and being more of a God of War clone than anything. But why take their word for it when you can try out the demo for yourself? It's currently available for download for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in their respective marketplaces. You can also preorder it at Steam for 10% off.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 hits stores February 25th.