Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Originally announced last year at the annual Games Convention in Leipzig, it seems Lords of Shadow has been snapped up by Konami and reinvented as a Castlevania title. Since the game debuted with a protagonist named Gabriel who was armed with some kind of half-sword half-whip thing, I don't imagine there was all that much reinvention needed - just a few more lacy frills on his jacket, maybe. Can't have too many lacy frills in Castlevania. According to the press release:

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow takes place at the end of days. The Earth’s alliance with the Heavens has been threatened by a dark and malevolent force – the mysterious Lords of Shadow – darkness reigns the world. Across this shattered land, the souls of the dead wander unable to find peace, whilst creatures of evil roam free wreaking chaos and death upon the living.

Gabriel is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. His beloved wife was brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her soul trapped for eternity. Neither living nor dead she realises the horrific truth of what is at stake and guides Gabriel to his destiny – and hopefully salvation for the world… but at what cost?

HIS LACY FRILLS?! :o

Oh, yeah - and Hideo Kojima's on the production team.

Elsewhere in action-RPG land, THQ has unveiled Warhammer 40 000: Space Marine, developed by regular Warhammer factory, Relic Entertainment. Not much is known about the title yet, aside from reasonable speculation that the game probably features space marines.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - E3 2009 Trailer

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine - E3 2009 Trailer