This game had potential. Quite frankly, I actually kind of liked the beginning of the game. Sure, the cut-scenes were kind of lacking, but the overall experience wasn't too hateful. It seemed like it really could've been, at the least, an okay 3-D action platformer. Maybe a bit uninspired, but somewhat appreciable.
Almost immediately, you are introduced to the first big issue of the game: the platforming. Trying to jump from platform to platform in this game can be an absolute nightmare. It's not necessarily so bad towards the beginning, however, in the latter portions of the game, it can be one of the biggest downfalls. Turning on small platforms can be especially trying at times. On top of this, you have to try wrestling with the camera most of the time, just so that, maybe, you can find your way to the next platform without falling to your death prior to.
As far as the basic game-play mechanics are concerned, (i.e. the controls and the regular combat) it isn't too bad, just kind of bland. The general game-play boils down to the basics of running around and pressing an attack button to eliminate enemies or jumping between platforms. Nothing new, but not necessarily bad game-play. What definitely killed some of the game-play for me though, was how completely useless the wolf form was. I only legitimately used it twice during my entire run, and noticed little to no difference.
The games bosses are a major let down as well. First of all, there is a ridiculous amassment of them. There are, seriously, back-to-back rooms that give a grand total of FIVE BOSSES! Really, why? None of the bosses are even very difficult. I only even came close to dying against two of the bosses, and almost all I did was run back and either use my ranged attack, or the cross sub-weapon.
In the end, this game was an immense let down. I had been hopeful about the game, thinking that, maybe it isn't as bad as some people have said. But this game ended up just being a bad entry to the franchise. Some of the overall designs aren't necessarily bad on the face of it, but the execution was very poor, leading it to it's ultimate downfall.

Unlike most I consider Legacy of Darkness to have gotten "3D Castlevania" right. It fixed most of the flaws in its shouldn't-have-been-released predecessor and added a ton of new content, not the least of which was the werewolf Cornell, who is not only very cool but also very powerful.