Developers at Castlevania: Belmont's Curse have expressed delight and amusement regarding the "horny" fan art inspired by the game's characters, revealing that their attractive designs were a deliberate choice intended to resonate with fans. The game, which launched on October 15, has already generated significant online discussion surrounding its character aesthetics.
In a discussion with Fall Damage, marketing director and lead designer Bérenger Dupré and Sandro Bordier shared their positive reception to the fan reactions. "Oh, it has started already. Like, man, have we seen some things," Bordier remarked. Dupré added that Trevor Belmont, in particular, has been "so well-received."
Bordier suggested a "Hot Dads Edition" of the game, to which Dupré responded that a "Game Award for hot dads" should exist. Dupré further commented on the significance of fan art, stating, "It’s always fun to see the fanart, because we know how important and dear these characters are to the fans. We are trying to make some new, fresh stories with them, so it’s always quite stressful. And for now, the reception is very, very emotional."
The development team admitted to intentionally designing characters to be appealing. "Yes, like we know some characters are hot. It’s a choice, actually. Like it’s a vibe. We’re pretty proud of it," Bordier explained. He continued, "Honestly, we were super happy with all the fan reactions regarding the characters that were revealed. We really put a lot of love from the team to design them in a way that would please fans. We were super happy to see how they reacted to the designs and the voice actor reveals, of course."
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse has garnered positive reviews, with IGN awarding it an eight out of ten and praising its fast-paced action that brings the beloved series into the modern era. The game also features numerous Easter eggs and hidden details, including homages to classic fighting game characters accessible through a secret weapon.