Konami is bringing back Castlevania with Belmont's Curse, a new entry developed by Evil Empire that aims to recapture the series' Symphony of the Night-era glory. Creative director Emmanuel Nouaille described the experience of creating a new Castlevania game as a "dream come true," while producer Tsutomu Taniguchi noted the "happy pressure" of reviving the franchise after a 12-year hiatus.
The game introduces Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont, who explores the monster-infested ruins of Paris. While her father investigates elsewhere, Rose battles darkness and cryptically references her mother. The game presents a visually detailed Paris, with backgrounds that give a near-2.5D impression, and offers smoother, more accessible gameplay than previous titles. Players begin with three health potions and gain immediate access to floor slide and wall jump mechanics, with enemies occasionally dropping health-restoring food.
Belmont's Curse marks Castlevania's return to its metroidvania roots, a decision producer Taniguchi explained was a deliberate homage to the series' 2D action-exploration heritage. Despite Evil Empire's background in roguelikes, the team focused on core metroidvania elements. The game features environmental puzzles requiring return visits, numerous secrets, and breakable walls. Navigation relies on environmental storytelling and clues from ghosts, rather than explicit waypoints or guide arrows, though a hint system is available for those who become stuck.
A key innovation is the whip, which serves as both a combat and traversal tool. "The whip is not just a tool for traversal," Nouaille explained. "It's used for both combat and traversal. We focused on having something simple to use with a lot of responsive aspects. We like to create a movement like a dance." This mechanic allows players to swing between enemies and interact with certain platforms and walls, creating fluid, airborne combat sequences. Players are frequently introduced to new weapons and spells, each with upgradeable criteria based on enemy kills or more complex challenges. Unlockable talismans further encourage diverse playstyles by offering combat boons, such as increased damage while airborne.
While the whip is a strong central mechanic, it does not yet challenge the unique systems seen in titles like Nine Sols or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The game's bosses, such as a reimagined Joan of Arc, are noted as a departure from typical Castlevania fare. After three hours of play, Belmont's Curse is described as a very good metroidvania with significant potential, aiming to rival even Symphony of the Night if it delivers on its ambitious promises.