So far, I have some minor gripes with Lords of Shadows 2, but after finishing chapter 3, the hate seems unwarranted. In many ways, it reminds me of Darksiders. I will say yeah this doesn't feel like a Castlevania game and maybe that is where the disdain comes from. I love the first Lords of Shadow as it reminded me of Castlevania IV aka the best in the franchise. Proper linear gothic horror atmospheric Castlevania. LoS2 is not LoS1 but on its own in a vacuum, it reminds me of Darksiders and that's ok with me.