LoS was originally supposed to be an open world game, but they couldn't work with it because of the budget. That's what LoS2 is trying to bring back but I'm afraid that it won't deliver it the way I want it to be. And this has been my problem with the series. I'm expecting way too much from the series and I end up with a decent game but far away from what the trailers made me feel.
I want a Metroidvania Castlevania that is "VAST" in it's setting. A city sized map but with different areas. Travel around the world if you has to. It doesn't have to be just castles, add spooky forests, mansions, graves and lots of towns and side quests. The AI is very smart and can be be fought not by just button mashing but strategy as well because save them for the Zombies. I want a free open world where there is a day and night cycle like Simon's Quest but less disruptive and longer with positive/negative effects on enemies and the player. Add some random events, give the player decisions, karma systems, bring multiple endings, have emmersive replayibility after beating the game and have unique unlock able characters. Give a great multiplayer experience in which you can CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN character and hunt the creatures of the night with your allies or... will they side with the foes? Have multiple factions of Vampire Slayers and Baddies. Make this the famous 1999 Demon Castle Wars. Make it like PoR and OoE but with Kaioken x10 and steroids. In my 3rd replay, fill me with awe as I get all "Holy Shit, you can do that?" "I never knew there were these secret area". Impress me, Castlevania, IMPRESS ME!!!!