Konami bringing Castlevania to EG Expo News

Konami is bringing three big-budget blockbusters to the Eurogamer Expo 2010: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Def Jam Rapstar and SAW II: Flesh & Blood. And they'll be playable - all three before their UK release.

Lords of Shadow, made by MercurySteam and overseen by Hideo Kojima, spins Castlevania into a third-person action romp for the first time. Production values are monstrous and there are no quick-time events, just "atmospheric presentation, flashy combat, fluid platforming and smart puzzles". That's what Eurogamer's Ellie Gibson wrote when she saw the game in May.

Def Jam Rapstar is Konami's urban answer to SingStar - and then some. The top hip-hop acts of today have lent their songs to the game for mimicry. But what's really interesting is the community area where wannabe rappers can stuff their video demos in front of Def Jam music producers using the game's built-in tools. "Def Jam Rapstar comes across as the real deal," wrote Matt Martin in Eurogamer's July preview, "and 4mm Games could be about to step up, stand centre stage and set the roof on fire."

SAW II is the gruesome, unflinching sequel that provides challenges such as delicately slicing around a terrified man's eye to retrieve a key to unlock a timed trap that would otherwise rip his face apart. Zombie Studios has conjured a story to sit between the second and third of the immensely successful series of films. Will you be able to stomach it?

Def Jam Rapstar will be released on 5th November. SAW II: Flesh & Blood and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow will be released this autumn - sometime after 1st-3rd October, which is when the Eurogamer Expo takes place.

The Eurogamer Expo has this year moved to Earl's Court. Tickets are eight quid, with discounts for concessions. Find out all about the Eurogamer Expo 2010 and what games will be on show over on our dedicated website.

Konami's epic trailer for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.