I guess I’m about month too late, because this would have been a good October/spooky season game to play, but I started the Castlevania SotN quality + hard type hack. Wow, hard type makes this a completely new game! It’s been years since I played it. There is tension entering each new room.
I don’t remember the correct path through the game (is there one?). I wandered into Slogra & Gaibon and barely defeated them. I used all my hearts with the axe and finished both off with my short sword. I had 15hp remaining. Good times if you’re looking for a reason to go back to SotN, as if a reason is required. 