tbh in gameplay hands down the best is Order of Ecclesia. or I vibe better with rocket tag gameplay style. in plot tho? Tie in between Symphony of the Night or Dawn of Sorrow. or I just really like family drama.
also the new animation is spin off.... oh dear, no. the new animation will be based on Rondo of Blood, followed by Symphony of the Night, with elements of Portrait of Ruin/Bloodlines that the historical event will actually affect the plot. Who knows if Marie Antoinette will be involved? Cause I at least know at least there are two japanese games where Anastasia Romanova is playable.
Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night canon to the IGA timeline as much Castlevania 3 was. Yes IGA did retcon Legends and Circle of the Moon, but Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night definitely canon to his timeline. Saying the new animation is spin off is like saying Dragon Ball GT or Jojo: Vento Aureo isn't canon. More importantly, Symphony of the Night has been put on pedestal due for being first IGA Castlevania game, Ayami Kojima's art, memetic voice acting, actually fleshing Dracula and Death, and some other stuff...
As for Lords of Shadow, it's a complete reboot that personally does not fit with my taste as my taste is more like Black Butler or Pandora Hearts.