The screen above represents the natural evolution of Castlevania. Throughout the series, we've been told (and shown) that Dracula's castle is a living organism, that changes form every time it reappears, and attempts to confound the hapless vampire hunter who wanders in.

Now, in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, you literally face down a building.

The official website reveals where the story picks up: as a weakened Dracula, "yearning for release from his immortal bonds," you go in search of your old powers, in order to stop a "new and powerful threat." So it's like a reverse Simon's Quest.