Tough, yet satisfying
The bosses are big and imposing, like I would have expected from any Castlevania game, and yes, they will challenge you, especially the ones when you finally make it to Drac's castle. The graphics are fine, but doesn't really look much more different than the other DS iterations. But where this shines is the gameplay. The gameplay is sharp, and rarely could I ever blame dying on my controls (it was normally my fault if I did die). The story was likely one of the weaker ones I have seen just because I know I have seen better, even going back to Bloodlines and Rondo of Blood, and that is in spite of the broader brush this new world paints. But, that's not why your average masochist playes games like Castlevania. You know the premise--get to Drac and kill him. In the meanwhile, you rescue villagers, and spend a lot of time outside the castle walls, which is a departure and does remind me of Simon's Quest, which was different for its time and a welcome departure. Music and sound effects, as well as voices, are solid as well. Some of the tracks on certain levels are worth listening to again once you complete the game and unlock the sounds player!
So, if you liked any of the other Castlevania DS versions, you will likely pick this one up and see some changes, but that won't deter you from what is another solid Castlevania experience.