@Khuutra
You certanly got your point across and explained well why you find lods of shadow worthy of a castlavania name. I really wish I could see it with your eyes, but sadly I don't see Castlevania when I play it.
When the series went from straightforward action to castle sandbox, all of the action gameplay elements stayed intact. Nothing was ripped out and replaced with Metroid elements. It felt like a natural progression with metroid ideas added on top of the existing formula. I never played the N64 ones (never had the system) but Lamenent of Innocence definetly felt like a Castlevania game, even if it borrowed elements from DMC. I just don't see this connection to any previous Castlevanias (action or Igavania) with Lords of Shadow when it comes to gameplay, story, characters, music...Its all new to the series, but not new to my gaming experience as I've seen it all before somewhere else.
I agree that Metroidvania formula is getting stale and in need of change (HD console DLC Metroidvania in glorious 2D could change my opinion tho, cause shadow complex was great)...but I certanly hope this is not the bluprint they use for the next 10 years in making console castlevanias.
