Konami continues its strategy of outsourcing beloved properties with <em>Castlevania: Belmont's Curse</em>, the first mainline entry in the vampire-slaying action series in over a decade. Developed by Evil Empire, a studio that previously supported <em>Dead Cells</em>, this new installment builds upon the collaboration established with last year's <em>Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania</em>.
Early reviews suggest Konami's approach has yielded positive results, with many critics hailing <em>Belmont's Curse</em> as both a successful revival and a smart modernization of the franchise. However, a recurring point of discussion among reviewers is whether the game fully captures the quintessential Castlevania experience. The game currently holds an average score of 86 on Metacritic and 85 on OpenCritic.
Some critics have lauded the game with near-perfect scores. GameSpot's Steve Watts, in a 10/10 review, declared it "one of the best Castlevania games, and one of the best metroidvania games, of all time." Watts praised the expansive map, engaging traversal mechanics, a story that balances macabre themes with levity, well-developed characters, and what he described as "hands-down the best combat of any Castlevania game." He further elaborated that the combat is "among the best combat of any 2D action game, period."
Conversely, IGN's Scott White noted that while the new protagonist, Rose Belmont, and the responsive combat were impressive, some classic Castlevania elements, such as the RPG systems and the series' distinct feel, were sacrificed. "So much else of what usually sets this series apart within this genre has been smoothed over with <em>Belmont’s Curse</em>, which leaves the whole package feeling a bit like a really solid metroidvania wearing a superficial Castlevania skin," White wrote. He specifically pointed out the absence of a thrown dagger, stating, "There isn’t even a dagger to throw, which just feels kind of wrong. [Rose] doesn’t even start the game with a whip."
Game Informer's Charles Harte found the game's connection to the Netflix animated series compelling, noting that it functions as a sequel to both <em>Castlevania 3</em> and the anime's first two seasons. Harte highlighted the clear anime inspirations in the art style and character designs, as well as the return of several voice actors from the show, including Trevor Belmont. His 9.25/10 review also commended the new tarot card system, which offers upgradeable spells and drives significant exploration.
The Guardian's Harper Jay MacIntyre observed a shift towards "twitch-based action" in <em>Belmont's Curse</em>, acknowledging that this might alienate purists but insisting the game is far from dull. In a three-star review, MacIntyre criticized the emphasis on platforming challenges reminiscent of <em>Super Meat Boy</em> over puzzle-solving and noted uneven pacing. "This may be the most virtually striking Castlevania since 2002’s <em>Harmony of Dissonance</em> and sometimes it’s also the most inventive and brain-teasing," MacIntyre stated. "In other moments, you’ll be bored to bloody tears."
Polygon's own Elijah Gonzalez deemed <em>Belmont's Curse</em> "a near-perfect Metroidvania" on its own merits. His review highlighted how the game "breathes new life into these games while honing in on what makes this series special" by blending nostalgic elements with the polished gameplay mechanics from <em>Dead Cells</em>. Gonzalez praised the bold color palette that enhances the gothic visuals and the innovative card-based Arcana system.
<em>Castlevania: Belmont's Curse</em> is scheduled for release on October 15 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.