The problem is that, for whatever reason, no one in the game-making biz these last 10 years has really been able to successfully boil down the CV formula into something that translates properly into 3D. I don't know what it is. Anyone who's been a fan of the series for a long time can give you a pretty rough estimate of how a next gen CV SHOULD play. It's not rocket science, yet Iga and his team couldn't get it right......and MS, despite making a stellar action game featuring a chain flailing Belmont....failed to really capture the essence of this franchise in a way that could have sucked in every hardcore fan and left them begging for more.
I'm sure I'll get flamed to hell for saying this, but Legacy of Darkness....IMO......is the only 3D title to date that actually got it right. That game presented a solid template for bringing this series into the third dimension. Great, atmospheric environs, lots of classic creatures and bosses, a good sense of progression through the Dark Keep, classic CV inspired gameplay, great music, a useable (but not overdone) inventory system, and a story that wasn't full of facepalm moments. Unfortunately, it also came equipped with crappy graphics, sluggish controls, overly simplistic combat, and camera issues. BUT.....the overall design and concept worked so much better than LoI, CoD, and even LoS......it was just lacking in the technical departments. I'd give anything to see a LoD Chronicles game redone by a competent dev team using a modern game engine and an updated combat system. Or...at the very least.....a remade Simon Belmont feature using the same template.