I tip my hat to you, good sir. I really wish you would develop a Castlevania game, because you certainly realize the limitations of the level design that have mucked up later CV games after Symphony. If 2D CV games are to remain relevant, there needs to be more organic integration of sound, sprites, and static backgrounds to make something feel "blended together" to present the final sandwich, if you will, of balance. You hit the nail right on the head about receiving power-ups in terms of moves and abilities being throw away and boring. I myself have dreamed of an area where you must move through the entire time as either an owl or a frog.

It's the small nuances that set up a larger appreciation for a game's atmosphere, I firmly believe.

This was very thought-provoking and I enjoyed reading every word of it. Thank you for posting it!