I had a whole post written up, then I realized:
A. I've already been here
B. Flame already said everything
So... fuck the haters, mang.
And mainline Castlevania straightforward? Really? I mean, it was fine by the time Symphony of the Night came out, but the GBA, DS, and PS2 games filled it up with so many power crystals, side heroes, mysterious strangers, ressurection cycles, "heirs", plot holes, and loose ends.