The atmosphere of this game is insanely good. The controls are smooth and just naturally fun. The comments on the music being weak are really baffling to me. It's more lowkey and atmospheric than the NES games' music, but the game is generally going for more of a spooky vibe. I might like Castlevania 3's soundtrack a little better, but songs like "Theme of Simon Belmont" and "The Cave" are so easy to love. "The Waterfalls" is a really beautiful piece, so somber and downbeat and unlike anything you'd expect to hear in the background of an action-platforming game.

This game being so looked down upon nowadays by some hardcore Castlevania fans seems like an example of a great sequel being dismissed because it emphasizes different things than its predecessors. Castlevania 4 isn't obligated to control like Castlevania 1-3, nor is it obligated to have more upbeat music. It kicks fucking ass on its own merits and the Mode 7 effects are cool. Maybe people are putting their YouTube video essay caps on too tightly to enjoy the game for what it is.