http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4SzTSXKcTA&feature=related
I have played almost every Castlevainia game since the very 1st one in 1986. This one is tied for the best entry ever in my opinion. The story is fantastic. They do a great job of blending cinematics and gameplay ,and also....Patrick Stewart...he even plays a character that looks like Shaun Connery . Also try to ignore the God of War similarities. I have played the GoW games and I gotta tell ya, the action in Lords of Shadow is better, and so is the story.
After watching my roomate play a bit I went right out and bought it. Then played the hell out of it till i beat it. Simply amazing.