Symphony is just a terrific game. It leaves anything before it, and many knock offs after it in the dirt. Alucard is not a whip slinging goof, not that the first two Castelvania games were bad in any respect. This just turns everything up several notches. A huge amount of items, armor, and weapons to use. Including some upgrades favorites (The Axe, Holy Water, Boomerang) New stuff like familliars (Little critters who have special powers, and will be a huge help to Alucard), an RPG level Up system, so you are able to take on the nasty beast that Dracula throws at you.  I have played this for years! And will continue to do so, huge amount of replay value just because of how beautiful it is. Just go get it, oh and a strategy guide or you'll be up poop creek.