CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW
Xbox 360/PS3 (Konami)
Although Castlevania has been around since the 1980s, it still whips gamers into shape.
Konami has dumped the 2D perspective of old, in favour of a third person adventure. As Gabriel, take on werewolves, goblins and spiders with a magical whip.
The game recalls gothic classics like Devil May Cry and God of War, and its boss sections - in which you climb massive beasts - pay homage to Shadow of the Colossus.
With 20 hours of gaming, spread over two discs, Lords of Shadow is a long-term commitment.
But its luscious environments and high calibre voice-acting from Robert Carlyle and Patrick "Jean-Luc Picard" Stewart, make Castlevania well worth fighting for.
9/10 - The Independent