Konami Releases Castlevania Belmonts Curse for Modern Consoles and PC
The franchise returns after a twelve-year hiatus with a new 2D adventure developed by Evil Empire.
Konami has officially released Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, marking the first new entry in the vampire-hunting franchise since 2014. Developed by French studio Evil Empire, the 2D action title launched on October 15 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch to celebrate the series' 40th anniversary.
Set in Paris in the year 1499, the story follows Rose Belmont, the daughter of vampire hunter Trevor. Bearing a mysterious red curse mark that attracts Dracula and his followers, Rose attempts to prove her heritage as Count Dracula's castle suddenly materializes in the middle of the city.
The game utilizes a classic Metroidvania design, tasking players with exploring a massive, interconnected map to uncover new abilities and access previously blocked areas. Developer Evil Empire brings experience from previous titles to the design, incorporating an intricate tarot deck system inherited from Rose's mother, Sypha. The deck functions as a narrative guide, map indicator, and spellbook that allows players to acquire enemy powers, known as Arcanas, after defeating bosses.
Combat features seven distinct weapon types with multiple variants, alongside a new independent holy shield parry system. This mechanic allows players to simultaneously attack enemies and deflect incoming projectiles from behind. Reviewers note that regular enemies and bosses present a significant challenge, requiring mastery of movement and defensive timing.
For players seeking assistance, the game includes customizable settings that allow adjustments such as placing save points directly before boss rooms or increasing player damage without penalties. However, navigation and puzzles remain entirely up to the player's problem-solving skills.
Visually, the title abandons traditional gray aesthetics in favor of vibrant, saturated colors and reimagined classic musical themes from the series. While praised for its artistic direction and fluid mechanics, some technical drawbacks have been reported, including performance limitations on the Nintendo Switch and occasional visual clutter during intense combat encounters.