Konami has announced that Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, an exclusive title on Apple Arcade, will be shut down permanently. The game will be removed from the subscription service on August 20, and will no longer be playable after September 3. The developer expressed gratitude to the game's player base, though no specific reason for the shutdown was provided.
Originally released in 2019, Grimoire of Souls was later re-released on Apple Arcade in September 2021 after initial removal from mobile storefronts. This updated version included improvements such as the removal of microtransactions. At the time of its exclusive re-release, it marked the first new Castlevania game since Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 in 2014. The game's narrative concluded in 2022 with an update that offered new details concerning Dracula's defeat in 1990's Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse.
Grimoire of Souls featured traditional 2D Castlevania gameplay elements, with character designs by franchise artist Ayami Kojima and music by Michiru Yamane. Playable characters included fan favorites like Alucard and Simon Belmont, and the game supported multiplayer co-op. The shutdown has prompted discussions among fans regarding the potential for a console or PC port, though Konami has not commented on future platform availability.
Fans of the Castlevania series will have a new entry to look forward to with Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, slated for release in December. Developed by creators of Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia, this upcoming title is expected to adhere to the classic Castlevania style, according to Konami.