Castlevania - Bloodlines

Two of your heroes - John Morris, armed with a whip, and Eric Lecarde, wielding a spear - are on a campaign to destroy evil. This time the campaign takes place across Europe. The spear is longer than the whip and helps you jump higher, but the whip can be used to strike diagonally in the air and cling to the ceiling. Slaughter hordes of undead and collect vials, which replace hearts here, and useful weapons. There are bosses, of course. As is often the case, the Japanese version is easier - using the password will update the number of sequels.