You're right in that it's more literal. Some areas are almost exact homages to locales used in the iconic Castle, throughout the series. The vistas will remind you of areas like the Underground Waterway, Olrox's Quarters, and the Clock Tower, but they do have level progression.
I probably used TOO MUCH Real Estate. You cannot see the entire Castle unless you set the viewing distance to a large number, though the Castle in the Fog looks pretty great as a result.