Enslaved vs Castlevania: Which Should You Buy?

s rare that two highly touted games release on the same day. However, when it happens gamers have some tough decisions make; especially gamers on a budget, which is likely all of us. Now that Enslave and Castlevanina are available, its likely you'll spend some time sitting at the checkout counter wondering which one is worth of that coveted 64.00 dollars. Well, were here to help you deiced. To aid in your next big adventure, we take the liberty of comparing which of these games will offer the best possible gaming experience, so you wont waste your money.

[MrMccormo]

In my opinion:

Enslaved has the better atmosphere and plot, but Castlevania is more varied and challenging.

But let's consider other 3rd-person games this year like God of War 3, Mass Effect 2, and Vanquish.

[Chris399]

Castlevania is longer, runs beautifully on both platforms and most importantly PLAYS well. Ninja Theory have demonstrated that they make decent cinematic pieces, but not once have they made a competent game. They might want to consider being a CGI studio instead of a game developer.

Castlevania gets my vote, ordered it today after the rather spectacular demo; which was far more impressive (to me) than Enslaved.

[Red_Orange_Juice]

"s rare that two highly touted games release on the same day"

wtf is that supposed to mean, who tf starts a sentence with a letter "s", and not even capital ?

[JoySticksFTW]

I was with you until you got to "but not once have they made a competent game"

Heavenly Sword is a great game, let alone just competent

I can't stand Ninja theory, but I love that game

That all said, my money goes to Castlevania. I'll pick up Enslaved when the price drops

[Chris399]

I love Heavenly Sword; one of the best experiences this gen. That aside, the combat was shallow and the game was over in 7 hours, herded you along and had little replay value or side-questing (unlocking character art is NOT a side-quest). The story and characterization were brilliant, but the GAME, the actual part that you play, fell flat.

That's all that I'm saying. And based on the reviews (and my own play-through of the demo), it seems that Enslaved suffers the same fate. Great story and characters, shallow game-play. NT needs to balance this more for their games to be truly defining. Or just make something purely cinematic, like Heavy Rain. Stop making action games and offering pompous interviews about how you're "defining" the craft of video-game creation. The hubris that NT display at times is mind boggling.

[Karum]

Just on that competent game comment, I have to disagree.

Now I havem't played Enslaved so can't comment on it either way but I personally thought Heavenly Sword was a fantastic game that I only had 2 problems with.

First was that it was a bit short and secondly there were some terrible load times, had to run through a long load time every time you died too which was annoying.

Other than that, great game...certainly competent.

Gonna agree on Castlevania though, if I had to choose between the two (and right now I do have to) I'd choose Castlevania. I loved the demo and keep hearing the game is quite long which is awesome too.

[DaTruth]

That means you weren't doing it right! The combat was shallow on my first playthrough too; but my second and following playthroughs were a whole different story, especially if you're trying to get the style bonuses!

Literally spent hours on the "Twing Twang" level!(still can laugh at that 3 years later!)

[Elimin8]

I have Enslaved and I can tell you it's not worth a rental. Maybe borrowing it from a friend IF that friend is unlucky as me to buy it day one and then realize WTF! I Picked up Castlevania too but played Enslaved first cause I knew after all the reviews I would be in for a treat with Castlevania. Not that I purchase based on reviews....

My 2Cents...

[Godmars290]

Vanquish might have some relevance since its coming out around the same time, but its still a shooter where they're adventure titles.

As for choosing between those two, while I'm leaning more towards Enslaved for story versus camera and other issues I'm hearing about Castlevania, I honestly don't want to reward NT by buying their game.

As shallow as it sounds they just come off as being too arrogant.

[Fan Tastic]

Castlevania is great so far.

Enslaved demo was boring, I was excited for it until the demo hit. Poor gameplay mechanics (feels a bit laggy even), dull level design on the first level, art style is boring as well.

[MysticStrummer]

I felt the exact opposite. The Castlevania demo bored me, and I played the Enslaved demo four or five times before buying the game.

[Sarcasm]

Same here, I felt the graphics looked great in Castlevania. But it just didn't feel as fluid as I expected.

Not to say Enslaved feels any better.

My pick goes to God of War III

:)

[dredgewalker]

My money's on Castlevania cause the camera and simple combat system in Enslaved turned me off.

[wsoutlaw87]

im getting..... neither. neither one intrests me ill save my money for all of the better upcoming games

[kneon]

I'm also getting neither, yet. I've still got 7 or 8 other games to finish from this year and neither of these games makes me want to rush out and get them right away.

[Graey]

At least rent the Castlevania one. Enslaved story wise has me interested, but I think the other aspects of the game will bore me after a bit.

Castlevania on the other hand has me intrigued. I'm playing through the game now. Honestly I'd rate it a 8/10. Can't go higher or lower than that.

I'm currently trying to tweak the move to work well with MAG, but I switch between the two.

[jc48573]

I would buy both since there are special deals going for both games. I pretty much goth both games for 40 each!

[albel_nox]

I got Enslaved the day it came out and it is awesome. I played the demo for Castlevania and it was pretty lame to me.

[BillOreilly]

i rented enslaved and will buy catlevania because its longer. I am almost done with enslaved and i will say i LOVE it. The beggining is amazing and it dets better as you go. The character dev is great, beautiful BEAUTIFUL word, and a very entertaining story. The platforming is great and i enjoy the combat and new skills. There is very good variety. I hope castlevania rocks as much as this does.

[Quagmire]

Enslaved if you want something new. Castlevania if you want something old.

[Kewl_Kat]

enslaved's game mechanics are actually the ones that's old and outdated. although castlevania didn't revolutionize anything, they at least took pointers from the god of war games, which by the way, have a great track record for great gameplay

[MysticStrummer]

Neither game's mechanics are anything new.

[Quagmire]

Sorry, i should have specified it more.

Enslaved if you want something different, castlevania if you want something the same.

[ChickeyCantor]

"Enslaved if you want something different, castlevania if you want something the same."

Eeeehh naaaaa...

[Faztkiller]

Not Played Enslaved yet but from what I've played of Castlevania Its in my top 5 games of 2010 so far

[Uzesgelen_Goo]

but if you need to choose one then that's your choice not my opinion (^^)

[ReservoirDog316]

Hmm, well said.

But I'd pick Enslaved cause I was never into Castlevania much. And Enslaved reminds me of the games that made me love the PS2 so much, but on steroids.

Sadly I can't afford either at the moment. But I do have 3 unfinished games till I scrape up $60.

[young7yang]

go to play asia and buy them both

if you get the asian version u can save a bit of cash as well

[SaberEdge]

Both games are great but Castlevania wins in my opinion. It is an ideal multiplatform game; it has absolutely amazing graphics, zero screen tearing, and looks and runs very good on both platforms. Sadly, Enslaved isn't that consistent. Gameplay-wise I also think that Castlevania is more varied and is more polished and fun. I think they both have great narratives.

For me Castlevania is the game I would get first, but depending on what you are looking for Enslaved might be the better pick. Obviously, if you can, just get both.

[AKS]

I finished Enslaved today and loved the game. Still playing it, actually. I'm a couple of chapters into Castlevania: LoS. Looks great. Both were well worth buying.

[slave2Dcontroller]

I Even if ur RIIIIIICH! This is such a beautiful, fun, & lenghthy game to play. Its everything a game should be. In a time where developers are chopping games up to sell u DLC mere days after they release, its good to a full blown balls out game. It blew my mind to so many reviiewers complain about the duration of Castlevania. Spend $60 for a game an ok game with a nice story thats 7 hours or a game that looks AMAZING, has a great story with a well designed protagonist and is 18+ hours? Hmm.... Thats an easy answer. Plus I'm old school so a proper 3D Castlevania done brilliantly is a HUGE deal to me. Enslave just didnt do it for me n I hate how Monkey looks so uninpired for a lead character. Castlevania>>>>Ens laved

[MysticStrummer]

So the generic knight looking guy in Castlevania is inspired? Right.

[Servbot]

Enslaved is a much richer experience and should definitely be played. Castlevania is a good game, but it's not like you'd be missing out on anything if you don't play it.

[slave2Dcontroller]

its Castlevania! what do mean u wont be missing out? Its a classic and loved franchise that has a history dating back to the NES era. NOOBZ R DISSAPOINT

[MysticStrummer]

I agree with Servbot. Castlevania has never done anything for me. Not everyone likes the same games you do. ARROGANT R ARROGANT.

[Tito08]

You two seem like you don't know anything about Castlevania, and NO, ENSLAVED AIN'T NO RICHER EXPERIENCE AT ALL, cut that bullsh!t using the word "experience" for nothing, even Symphony Of The Night is better and longer than Enslaved... I'm not saying Enslaved is a bad game, it's great, but is nowhere near as good, longer or better than L.O.S.!!!!

"Castlevania has never done anything for me" why don't u start playing the old games, then go play LOS, better to the game to please itself and to a series fan than pleasing someone who doesn't like or never played the series!!!

[Manac0R]

Really enjoying the ride. Got Castlevania waiting for me afterwards but one thing about enslaved is replay value. Once the journey ends I can't see me coming back, not for a while at least. Where's as what I know of Castlevania there are trails and levels to revisit with new skill sets.

If I was to choose, Enslaved as a rental to enjoy the emotional narrative and Castlevania as something to sink your teeth into :) Pun intended!

[1Victor]

buy them both if your short on cash go online read a few reviews of both game and make a opinion on witch fits you better,also ask your friend what they liked about them.

[Spawn-KING]

Castlevania

[SexyPrawns]

I've been playing both all week.

Personally, I have enjoyed Enslaved more.

Castlevania is an amazing game though.

If you have the means, get both of them.

[DanteKnightsTemplar]

Best darn 3D Castlevania,And Im feeling the love for it even more after that crap DmC trailer.in fact,I will buy Castlevania to do my part in letting NT know they suck! If I bought Enslaved...besides being disappointed,I would fuel NT's ego.and ego,frankly they shouldnt have!

[SexyPrawns]

Rage all you want. I love Enslaved.

Devil May Cry will probably be good too.

[SexyPrawns]

I hope they make an Enslaved movie.

James Cameron...please?!?

[Ult iMate]

I have a job, so I'm buying both. ))) .
They are both descent games I'd like to play.

[Acquiescence]

I glossed over Castlevania because I am so done with hack 'n' slashers these days. You play enough of them, you've played them all. Plus Kojima's involvement didn't exactly instill me with faith. If the cut-scenes in Castlevania are anything like they are in MGS4, then I'm avoiding that game like an army of Rosie O'Donnell's.

Enslaved is great. It's always fun to see Andy Serkis do more motion capture, you can tell the guy gets an absolute thrill doing it.

[The Meerkat]

"army of Rosie O'Donnell's"
LOL

I'm feel the same except I avoid ALL Japanese developed games now because i'm scared of Japanese cut scenes and the consequential damage they would cause to my TV and my controller.

[Baka-akaB]

the game isnt even developed by japanese , so that silly argument , if it ever truly had a valid poin anyway , is moot .

[gillri]

Castlevania and then Enslaved further down the line

[TheMutator]

stupid post anyway i have Castlevania Limited Edition right now :)

[darkequitus]

Both.

Enslaved today, MoH next week. Then Castlevania, Fable III and Bond before black ops arrives.

[wwm0nkey]

Castlevania, I beat it and it was worth all of the money, great story that took 14+ hours and high replay value. Seriously though that game looks jaw dropping at times.

[Whackedorange]

Got Enslaved yesterday but did not get castlevania since i had not arrived but will get it when it does

[BinkyStalls]

neither

[Baka-akaB]

Castlevania and Vanquish ...

[Shield]

This would be a hard decision if there were no playable demos. Both games are very different so, try them both and buy the one you like best. Done!

[dorron]

I think Castlevania will show up to be the better title...

[divideby0]

neither...

Castlevania... just a title rip off from the old series.. what the heck does the new game and the old series have in common besides the title....go play GodofWar.. its 10x bette than Castlevania (unless you dont have a PS3). Camera angle is so far back, it really distracts from the game.

Enslaved... just didnt care for it after playing the demo.

just rent the above

[DaGR8JIBRALTAR]

you should buy BOTH....AAA games!

[divideby0]

tru has the buy 2 games get one free this week...

[troncoparati]

I played both and IMO the Enslaved demo had the more entertainment. CastleVania looks pretty but the gameplay felt a little stiff and the part that the talking horse came out killed it for me.

[gamingisnotacrime]

when the price drops.
i just got Bayonetta for $25. This hack and slash games are to be bought at $30 or less, imo. no mp component means the game lifespan is limited to the campaign, not worth the $60 tag

[divideby0]

^ and I think games which have monthly fees should also be 30 bucks or at least get 4 months free gameplay

[Achemki]

Enslaved is garbage. Get Castlevania.

[etownone]

My money is going to Force Unleased 2.

[xino]

lords of shadow!

graphics are good!

Chainsaw move is badass!

[Fade_Walker]

I ended up getting both. So far I'm enjoying both. At this point though I have played more Castlevania.