Ive been playing in small chunks when i have the free time. For the game itself? it's definitely a step up from previous 3d Vania efforts. The combat system feels tight and fluid and generally works pretty well. It feels a bit TOO GoW (God of War? Devil May Cry?) style for my taste, but its done well. The graphics are really special, my G/f wont let me play the game unless she can watch it because she's so dazzled by the clips and special effects, they definitely put some graphical love into the game.
My biggest issue with the game i think is that it feels a bit too linear, and granted, im not finished with it yet, but im really surprised they followed a level-by-level formula rather then an open-ended sandbox/world theme, that definitely seems to fit castlevania's style WAY more, this feels like action action action plot plot plot.. It just doesn't have the same feel to me.
As for the plot, it seems solid enough, i just haven't explored the game far enough to really comment on it...
I enjoyed the music while playing through the game, it fits well enough, but absolutely NOTHING is memorable, no classic castlevania or anything like that, I wish developers would learn - the music behind the original series is one of the reasons why gamers love castlevania so much. Incorporating songs - even if its just as like a bonus feature or something is just huge. Hrm, i might have to bust out my Castlevania remix folder and see if i can play to that ingame.