lords of shadow gabriel belmont

For better or worse, over the years Castlevania has nearly been exclusively a 2D platformer. A few attempts have been made to bring the franchise to the realm of 3D; however most of them were met with lukewarm reception. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow looks to bring the franchise back into 3D, where it truly belongs. Does Castlevania: Lords of Shadow slay the competition, or buckle under the weight of its lofty quest?