GC 2008: Lords of Shadow Conference Impressions

At Konami's press conference, the Japanese publisher gave attendees an update on many of its existing franchises, including Castlevania, Pro Evolution Soccer, Rock Revolution, Silent Hill, and even a reborn GTI Club. We thought that was all for the day's news until the company announced that a brand-new IP was in the works: Lords of Shadow. Due out in 2010, the action-adventure game is being developed by Mercury Steam (Clive Barker's Jericho, Scrapland) and was described as a "dark fairy tale with a European twist." Konami also added that if you're a fan of Mexican director Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth, and the upcoming The Hobbit), then "you'll like this."

In the trailer, an unnamed medieval warrior kneels in what appears to be a tomb. Light streams in through a cross-shaped window, and we noticed that the warrior has a cross laid into one of his weapons. He also wears heavy armour, along with a gauntlet and daggers. After a few moments a shadow passes by, followed shortly by some heavy thuds. All of a sudden, a giant troll crashes through the roof, and our unnamed hero quickly dispatches him with a flaming, retractable chain-whip almost like Castlevania protagonist Simon Belmont might do.

The trailer was prerendered but showed promising signs of Konami's newest offspring. No more details were given at the event, but we'll be sure to bring more news as it appears. Lords of Shadow will be coming to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2010.