Lords of Shadow was actually announced at last year's Games Convention, a title to be developed by Madrid-based Mercury Steam and originally pitched as the foundation of a new "action-adventure IP." Looks like that might have changed, as the game may have been retrofitted to be a new Castlevania game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Not that difficult of a retrofit maybe, as the game's first trailer showed a cast that looked very much at home in the Castlevania universe, with a protagonist named Gabriel wielding the hilt of a weapon—known as the Combat Cross—that's part whip, part stabbing weapon.

The Castlevania: Lords of Shadow connection comes as part of a triumvirate of Gamespress leaks and may be tied to Kojima Productions "Mask" project. Will Mr. Kojima have another sneaky announcement planned for Sony's E3 press conference tomorrow? Tune in and find out!

Of course, to get answers, PSW wants you to come back and buy next month's issue." Konami has been busy hinting at what the Metal Gear Solid 4 developer will do next. Well we know," they write. "And all will be revealed next issue!" Mmm-kay.

CVG tries to answer things now. They point out the silhouette resembles the big burly lead character in the Konami title Lords of Shadow, announced last year. MercurySteam is the developer of that game, billed as an action-adventure title in a fantasy setting.

So, is that the big reveal? Guess we won't know until Kojima's countdown concludes, or the next issue of PSW gets out.

Kojima's Next Game ... Lords of Shadow? [CVG, thanks Deniz and others]

The trailer itself featured the main character, seen above, looking all tense and powerful, and some giant critter showing up. This is the way of early trailers.

As we excited the press conference we were given a little bundle filled with cards featuring art from the game, which I will post in a gallery below for your enjoyment. Lords of Shadow is due out in 2010.

The darkness descends… Lords of Shadow arise
Konami unveils details of incredible new 3D action-adventure title from European Product Planning department

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has used Europe’s leading video game event, the annual Games Convention in Leipzig, to unveil a landmark new title for PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360 from its European Product Planning department entitled Lords of Shadow, which is due for release in 2010.

Developed by Madrid-based Mercury Steam, Lords of Shadow is a stunning new action-adventure IP, boasting an incredible level of visual detail and far-ranging gameplay. Set in Southern Europe during the middle ages, Lords of Shadow has beautifully-realised locales that play host to an epic battle between good and evil. This is a story of one man’s journey to discover the true meaning of sacrifice amidst murder and betrayal.

Best described as a dark fairy tale, Lords of Shadow casts the player as the mysterious Gabriel. At its heart it is a vast third-person-viewed adventure, but combat and puzzle solving also play a major part in the main quest, while dark artifacts can be used to enhance Gabriel’s powers.

Lords of Shadow also utilises a unique multi-functional weapon system called the Combat Cross™, wherein Gabriel’s favored armament can serve a multitude of purposes. For ranged attacks, an extendible chain can cause major carnage but also grip enemies, for melee the Combat Cross™ can be extended into a stabbing weapon, or changed into a heavier night stick style device for defensive capabilities.

With a play area that spans forest glades, underground catacombs and snowy wastelands, Lords of Shadow is a key title for Konami. It represents the most ambitious offering from the European Product Planning department to date, with the beautiful visuals married to fine-tuned gameplay that features a wide range of monstrous enemies and huge, screen-filling boss creatures.

“Lords of Shadow is a momentous title for us,” commented Dave Cox, Executive Producer and Head of Product Planning for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Every element of the game pushes the host hardware to its limits, with Mercury Steam producing a game that has breath-taking visuals, incredible cinematic qualities, and varied and engrossing gameplay. It is truly an epic game but telling a human and emotive story. This is a title we hope will set a new standard for action-adventure titles.”

Lords of Shadow will be released for PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360 in 2010.