Going from the original NES/GBA Castlevania games to this one is like leaving an abusive relationship. Don't get me wrong, it's still a very difficult game, but the challenge in the first 2/3 of the game is extremely fun and fair, and you're properly equipped to handle most of the extremely difficult things the game throws at you. However, the final few stages return to the abusive ways of the old Castlevania games with unfair enemy placements that require memorization and extremely long boss rushes that were just begging to be save scummed. Overall an S tier game in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, and graphics. It's a shame they never utilized the 8-directional whip again, because it seems like a wasted mechanic with regard to future games.