Get ready to crack that whip, everybody. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow-Mirror of Fate is a prequel to the upcoming Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 and should be coming out within the first few months of 2013. The 3DS title takes place over two decades after the first game in the Shadow series and tells the story of Gabriel Belmont’s decedents as they discover their own fate.

In Mirror of Fate, you play as multiple characters, each with their own unique skills and weapons, and battle your way through history. You’ll fight your own ancestor, Dracula, and learn more of your family’s past. Anything learned can be passed down to the next generation. Boss fights are titanic, you’ll even need to climb on some to take them down. Use magic and combo attacks to defeat opponents, after earning experience you can buy new attacks. This side scrolling game is nod to the original and even sets up events for the sequel. Those who decide to skip Castlevania: Lords of Shadow-Mirror of Fate and head straight for the console title will miss key plot points that set up the events for the next story, so make sure to add this one to your list post-haste.