Not a bad game per se, but subpar for a Castlevania game.
On one side of things, the game has really good boss fights, with a sensible difficulty curve, actually requiring you to properly learn the boss's patterns to find success. The DSS (Dual Set-Up System) is really cool, allowing you to combine Action and Attribute cards you find to activate unique powers. Playing around with the many possible combinations was a highlight of the game for sure. Of course, as always, the soundtrack bangs the whole way through.
On the flipside... movement and exploration feel stiff or even tedious in this title. The various areas lack a lot of clear ways to tell where you are without looking at the map over and over. The various movement options you unlock throughout the game also feel limited; it's easy to feel forced into a linear path, as none of the abilities are particularly flexible. Moreover, actually making use of the previously mentioned dual set-up system requires tedious grinding if you want anything cool.
If you're a completionist, I would say this is far from the most fun I've had going for full map completion in a metroidvania. The game had its good moments, but I doubt I'll be going for extra playthroughs anytime soon.
On one side of things, the game has really good boss fights, with a sensible difficulty curve, actually requiring you to properly learn the boss's patterns to find success. The DSS (Dual Set-Up System) is really cool, allowing you to combine Action and Attribute cards you find to activate unique powers. Playing around with the many possible combinations was a highlight of the game for sure. Of course, as always, the soundtrack bangs the whole way through.
On the flipside... movement and exploration feel stiff or even tedious in this title. The various areas lack a lot of clear ways to tell where you are without looking at the map over and over. The various movement options you unlock throughout the game also feel limited; it's easy to feel forced into a linear path, as none of the abilities are particularly flexible. Moreover, actually making use of the previously mentioned dual set-up system requires tedious grinding if you want anything cool.
If you're a completionist, I would say this is far from the most fun I've had going for full map completion in a metroidvania. The game had its good moments, but I doubt I'll be going for extra playthroughs anytime soon.