A very good game, but not to the extent of what people make it to be.
And now, let's begin...
Though the game is amazing, it doesn't quite reach the ratings it gets from most players and reviewers (GameSpot's 9.6 rating). That is stating that this game is better than FFVII, and FFVIII; Also tying Vagrant Story (which is ALSO somewhat overrated, but that's another review).
Again, don't get me wrong, I don't think the game sucks (I DID give it a 8.5), but honestly, it's just not that great. That being said, an 8.5 is going to be the lowest ever rated Castlevania game, that I will ever review, of course. The game has some cool features, like the double-tapping to run. But the game also has some really annoying features, like the double-tapping to run. There are little things here and there that really make the game less appealing to me. Not in general, but at least in comparison with other Castlevanias.
Not only that, but this game has no reason to play through it numerous times. Not a single reason. z0mg let's play the same thing with differentiating stats.
Harmony let you play as Maxim, a badass character, Aria let you play as Julius, a badass character (in THAT game, at least), Dawn let you play as Alucard, a badass character, and other WITH a REAL storyline, and so on.
I mean, I love the game and its characters, but it just seems useless to play through it sometimes. There are many times where I love this game wholeheartedly, but at other times, I just think it's a letdown. Nathan Graves is an awesome name/character, and the Baldwins were cool, along with the storyline. But alas, the whole storyline was retconned... WHY, KONAMI, WHY?!
With that said, it's still a great game, just not a GREAT Castlevania.