This game is Underrated and deserves higher than 7.5.
There are some great production values, graphics and music are top notch. voice acting too.
combat is straight from god of war BUT it is better imo though less violent. especially with the light-shadow magic combinations. there are a lot of moves and QTE are all the time so do not leave the controller EVEN after you think you defeated the boss.
A large portion of the game has the right amount of traversals, platforming and a puzzles,in fact all games of the same genre SHOULD have the same amount of platforimng and puzzle imo.
I really liked where the story went (ending is very good and apocalyptic and remember to watch the after-credits 5 minute scene) and i really like the whole castlevania reboot idea. yes this is a reboot in case you did not know.
this is lengthy game,
way lengthier than gow3 and bayonetta. it reaches about 20++ without hunting the trophies and the special trials you may do anytime you want.i suggest for familiar to these kind of games players the hard difficulty and that they should revisit previous levels for subwaepons upgrades and upgrades to health and light-shadow magic. they come in handy. just remember that the game starts slow and difficult but it gets easier.
i wish that the game was lengthier though. that is because i enjoyed it very much.
The sad part is that ALL castlevania fans should play it. do not be scared that you will not like it. Before i play it i knew that this would not feel like castlevania. well IT FEELS castlevania because it has that castlevania feeling and becasue IT IS a castlevania. this game rightfully bears the name castlevania so do not waste time and buy the damn game!