The game has several differences compared to the gameplay of its predecesor like a level up and exp system; weapons that you can equip or unequip, a day-night cycle, and most importantly an open world.

The game is known to be quite cryptic due to the translation work of the game affecting the NPCs' dialogues and sometimes they don't telling you anything you need to know to progress or straight up lie. I remember the game sometimes being unfair due to some questionable área design like having fake platforms or several enemies being annoying like the slimes for example.

In comparison, the games' few bosses are quite easy, and although Drácula in his fight is somewhat unpredictable and a bit hard to land a hit on him, you can kill him before the actual battle begins by throwing sacred flames at him in the opening sequence of his boss fight.

But, the game was also innovative in the sense that it tried to have an open and freely explorable world before symphony of the night came out, though it wasnt that greatly executed in this game.