Played this game a while back, so my memory is a tad fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure I liked it... with some slight annoyances.
Let's start with the negatives, though. If there are some things I'd criticize this game over, it would have to be a trifecta of stiff controls, awkward camera control, and the questionable platforming. In regards to the camera, normally it can be controlled, but the movement feels slow and restrictive. However, there are times when the camera is in a fixed position, which can cause its own problems in combat and exploration, just with how it's normally angled. Combat, though a little bit nuanced and classic feeling with heavier emphasis on sub-weapon use, also feels somewhat restricted, which is strange because it almost feels like this game is TRYING to take Ps and Qs from Devil May Cry (it's then gothic action competitor), but never really reaching those heights in style or dynamics. This isn't even getting into the fact that Leon, the player character, feels like he moves a tad slow, even if his animation portrays him running at a brisk pace. The platforming, while good on paper and makes sense with "Indiana Jones" style whip use, feels a bit too rough to be any fun, and doesn't even look that good when performed. Jumping also can be a bit dodgy, which isn't a good thing when dealing with platforming, and just as irksome when used in combat. I mean, sure, I got USED to how it works, but it didn't really make me enjoy it any better. These three issues hurt the gameplay in some way, with it being the norm that any given room would have 2 of the 3 problems happening at the same time in different combinations.
You'd think with a brick like the above would have me be rather sour towards the game, but honestly? While the gameplay is marred slightly, it's never to the detriment of killing the fun. It's still very much a Castlevania game, through and through, with a colorful and well realized assortment of demons and monsters to smack up with strategic swings of the whip and liberal use of sub-weapons. Exploration among gothic locations is fun, even if certain environments get a bit too repetitive (such as the underground waterways) and the platforming being annoying at it's worst. Boss fights are fun enough, though not exemplary. Also, the soundtrack is great, but that is a MUST for Castlevania games, honestly.
In regards to the story, it's a simple rescue/revenge story, and maps out the origin of the long standing war between Dracula and the Belmonts, before Dracula himself was a presence, as well as the origin of the holy whip, the Vampire Killer. It's fun, if a bit flat, and characters are over-the-top in a fun way. It's no high art, for sure, and I doubt people would write essays about it, but there's enough of a foundation here that could be expanded upon in the future, like how Castlevania 3 eventually got expanded upon via the anime.
All in all, it's a fun 3D Castlevania game that a fan wouldn't have a bad time playing now and then. I might even come back to it one day in the future, if only for the general gameplay and gothic aesthetic vibes.
Let's start with the negatives, though. If there are some things I'd criticize this game over, it would have to be a trifecta of stiff controls, awkward camera control, and the questionable platforming. In regards to the camera, normally it can be controlled, but the movement feels slow and restrictive. However, there are times when the camera is in a fixed position, which can cause its own problems in combat and exploration, just with how it's normally angled. Combat, though a little bit nuanced and classic feeling with heavier emphasis on sub-weapon use, also feels somewhat restricted, which is strange because it almost feels like this game is TRYING to take Ps and Qs from Devil May Cry (it's then gothic action competitor), but never really reaching those heights in style or dynamics. This isn't even getting into the fact that Leon, the player character, feels like he moves a tad slow, even if his animation portrays him running at a brisk pace. The platforming, while good on paper and makes sense with "Indiana Jones" style whip use, feels a bit too rough to be any fun, and doesn't even look that good when performed. Jumping also can be a bit dodgy, which isn't a good thing when dealing with platforming, and just as irksome when used in combat. I mean, sure, I got USED to how it works, but it didn't really make me enjoy it any better. These three issues hurt the gameplay in some way, with it being the norm that any given room would have 2 of the 3 problems happening at the same time in different combinations.
You'd think with a brick like the above would have me be rather sour towards the game, but honestly? While the gameplay is marred slightly, it's never to the detriment of killing the fun. It's still very much a Castlevania game, through and through, with a colorful and well realized assortment of demons and monsters to smack up with strategic swings of the whip and liberal use of sub-weapons. Exploration among gothic locations is fun, even if certain environments get a bit too repetitive (such as the underground waterways) and the platforming being annoying at it's worst. Boss fights are fun enough, though not exemplary. Also, the soundtrack is great, but that is a MUST for Castlevania games, honestly.
In regards to the story, it's a simple rescue/revenge story, and maps out the origin of the long standing war between Dracula and the Belmonts, before Dracula himself was a presence, as well as the origin of the holy whip, the Vampire Killer. It's fun, if a bit flat, and characters are over-the-top in a fun way. It's no high art, for sure, and I doubt people would write essays about it, but there's enough of a foundation here that could be expanded upon in the future, like how Castlevania 3 eventually got expanded upon via the anime.
All in all, it's a fun 3D Castlevania game that a fan wouldn't have a bad time playing now and then. I might even come back to it one day in the future, if only for the general gameplay and gothic aesthetic vibes.