castlevania: order of ecclesia

i got it today and have been kicking the crap out of the first three levels, only to have the difficulty jump like it found a tarantula in its underwear and raise even further as you continue. but training is relatively interesting (and REALLY worth it), and the glyph system is cool--i recently got one that turns shanoa into a succubi).

any thoughts?

i might get this. which castlevania is this like?