Rose Belmont descends into the dark Catacombs of Paris in Part 3 of our Castlevania: Belmont's Curse walkthrough. After vanquishing the Fallen, Joan, and Medusa, Rose possesses the keys necessary to enter the dungeons beneath Paris, where a necromantic ritual is underway. This area serves as the stage for a confrontation with one of Dracula's primary lieutenants, a formidable foe likely beyond Rose's current capabilities.
This walkthrough will guide players through the Catacombs of Paris, detailing how to overcome its perilous traps and discover its hidden treasures, including the first damaging whip. Successfully navigating the Catacombs also unlocks fast travel between discovered areas.
Descending to the First Mirror of Life
Upon entering the Catacomb Entrance, players will encounter an abundance of skulls. Both eastward and westward paths from the start eventually loop back. The objective is to descend past spike-filled areas and navigate rooms with Ghosts, Chaos Shard walls, and the tricky Skull Spider, which explodes after a single hit. Further down, a Bone Pillar, composed of dragon heads, blocks progress and breathes fire; its heads switch directions, requiring careful targeting.
Special attention is needed for a platforming sequence involving Chaos Shard walls and Holy Light. Players must wall jump, use Holy Light to pass through walls, and time jumps carefully. This sequence leads to a room with saw blades and spikes, where precise movement using Sharpened Anchors and Holy Light is necessary to retrieve a Brave Heart Fragment.
Continuing east, players will face enemies like the Fleaman, which attaches to Rose and inflicts damage until shaken off. The Path of the Abyss presents further challenges with Biphrons, Skeleton Archers, and Red Skeletons, followed by another room with moving saw blades. Careful descent is required to avoid spike pits and reach the Quarry Elevator, where the first Mirror of Life offers a chance to save progress.
Acquiring the Death Mark Clue
From the Mirror of Life, proceed east, bypassing the Lift for now, and re-enter the Path of the Abyss. Dodge rotating saw blades using Holy Light and navigate upward to activate a lever that opens a gate containing a chest with the Mourning Bead Relic, which temporarily boosts movement speed after defeating an enemy.
Return to the Mirror of Life and head west to the Crossroads of the Dead. Navigate the Charnel Galleries, dealing with Skull Spiders and Biphrons. Another room with four rotating saw blades demands careful wall jumping and the use of Sharpened Anchors. Upon reaching the eastern exit, speak with a Spirit to obtain the Death Mark Clue, revealing a connection between the green sigils on the walls and a new card in Rose's deck: the Shadow.
Backtrack to unblock a door from Step 1, then break a wall near the Spirit to create a shortcut. This shortcut allows players to bypass the saw blade traps and reach a lever.
Obtaining the Pair of Longswords
Follow the Death Marks down the left side of the Catacombs. This leads to a gauntlet of Biphrons and Skull Spiders, culminating in a fight against a Giant Skeleton. Once cleared, return to the Crossroads of the Dead and activate a lever, causing massive dragon skulls to form ramps. Proceed east, managing Fleamen on these skulls, into the Chamber of Whispers.
This area features a challenging platforming sequence with saw blades on a horizontal track. Success requires careful use of Holy Light, Sharpened Anchors, and timed jumps to navigate Chaos Shard platforms and avoid hazards. A lever at the end of this sequence opens a shortcut back to the entrance.
Exploring a hidden exit near the lever in the Crossroads of the Dead leads to a chest containing the Pair of Longswords, a rapid weapon suitable for combo attacks.
Shifting Skulls in the Crossroads of the Dead
Activate a lever west of the Pair of Longswords chest to lower the dragon skulls further. A breakable wall atop the next skull hides a Wall Chicken. Descend to the floor below to find an exit to the Gallery of Teeth. After defeating a Blood Skeleton, smash a nearby Virgin Mary Statue.
Return east and ascend, then descend via the skulls. Take the western exit to another section of the Gallery of Teeth. After defeating a Skelerang, wall jump up to break another Virgin Mary Statue.
Smash the eastern wall where a Hunched Skeleton emerged to reveal a passageway back to the Crossroads of the Dead. Activate the lever there to shift the dragon skulls again. Head south-west down the lowered skulls to face another Crazy Platforming Sequence with saw blades and spikes.
This intricate sequence requires precise use of Holy Light, Sharpened Anchors, and Chaos Shard platforms. Players must navigate collapsing platforms, moving saw blades, and spike-lined gaps. Success leads to a lever that shifts the dragon skulls one final time. Traverse the lowered skulls and exit south-east.
Reaching the Jaws of Limbo
Proceed into De Rais Necropolis. Defeat Bone Pillars on either side and continue downwards. A tall Bone Pillar must be destroyed while descending. At the bottom, find a Wall Chicken to the right, then slide through a gap into an enemy gauntlet. After clearing the enemies, proceed west to the Jaws of Limbo.
Swing west and up to activate a lever that removes barriers below. Before descending, explore west to find an inaccessible chest. Then, slide down to begin another challenging Crazy Platforming Sequence involving saw blades, spikes, and collapsing wooden platforms.
This sequence demands careful timing with Holy Light, Sharpened Anchors, and wall jumping to pass through Chaos Shard walls and spike-filled shafts. It culminates in activating a lever that creates a shortcut and opening a chest containing the Necro Charm Relic, which increases damage after defeating an enemy. Descend the central shaft of the Jaws of Limbo.
Acquiring the Whip
Upon landing in the Throat of Hell, swing west to find a Wise Heart Fragment over a spike pit. Latch onto a Sharpened Anchor above to open a chest containing the Ebony Claw Relic, which extends stun duration after breaking an enemy's guard.
The western exit leads to the Realm of Old Night, featuring a save room accessible after an enemy gauntlet. Save at the Mirror of Life. Return east to the Throat of Hell and proceed west into the Condemned Mineshaft. Here, a Lift acts as a shortcut to the Quarry Elevator encountered in Step 1.
Continue descending and heading right. The next area, the Blood Pits, requires jumping over gaps and avoiding Skull Spiders. A Death Mark on the wall guides players to a breakable wall containing a Virgin Mary Statue on the left side. On the right side, defeat a Biphrone and smash another Virgin Mary Statue in a hidden alcove. Reach the bottom of the Blood Pits and proceed west before the floor collapses. Use Sharpened Anchors to reach an area with Chaos Shard walls, allowing access to a Brave Heart Fragment via wall jumping.
The subsequent dark, red-hued room contains enemies and blades. Navigate left, right over saw blades, and find a Wall Chicken in the western wall. Follow the Death Mark east to the Hall of the Fallen Angels.
Here, a chest contains the Whip, the final weapon type for Rose Belmont. After a cutscene, use the Whip against the arriving enemies. The Whip and its variations have a delay between attacks, with maximum damage delivered by the tip of the strike. Repositioning and mid-air attacks are key to its effective use.
Challenging Death
From the Hall of the Fallen Angels, head south. Descend the Stairway to Hell, passing numerous Death Marks. Defeat the Giant Skeleton and other foes to reach a room with a lever. Activating this lever unlocks the second Lift, providing a shortcut back to the Quarry Elevator.
The boss door in this area leads to a fight with Death. This encounter is designed to be unwinnable, with Death typically defeating Rose in a single hit after dialogue concludes. A cutscene will follow, revealing Rose's dire predicament.
Reaching the Ferryman's Wharf
Rose awakens in the Collapsed Path of Orpheus, battered but resolved to reach Dracula's Castle. The ascent involves a series of Holy Light challenges, requiring wall jumping and passing through Chaos Shard walls. A Virgin Mary Statue is located in an alcove on the right side of the first room.
The subsequent room features more swinging and Chaos Shard manipulation, leading to collapsing wooden platforms and further wall jumping. At the top of the Collapsed Path of Orpheus, three blood-red skull pyres mark the area.
The left exit leads to a blocked section of the Realm of Old Night with a breakable Virgin Mary Statue. The right exit reveals a glowing blue door with an arcane symbol – the first Ferryman's Wharf. Chatting with the Ferryman allows fast travel between discovered areas. Players can also now fast travel between unlocked Mirrors of Life by crouching in front of them.
Heading Towards Dracula's Castle
Emerging in the Justice District Sewers, use Holy Light to exit the Ferryman's Wharf area. The eastern path is blocked by a drawbridge, so head west to reach the Bridge of the Millers. Defeat the Merman and ascend the waterwheel to see Dracula's Castle in the distance. Save at the nearby Mirror of Life.
In the Court of Justice, clear enemies on the bridge and slide through a gap to find a lever that opens ground-level barriers. A difficult platforming section on the left side, involving Sharpened Anchors and Holy Light, leads to a Brave Heart Fragment.
Explore the eastern side of the Court of Justice to find the Bishop's Office. Locate a note from Trevor and a breakable wall containing the Hospital Relic Clue. Exit the office, ascend, and after more platforming, find a lever that creates a shortcut. Continue to the Palace of Justice, a majestic chapel.
Inside the Palace of Justice, defeat enemies and approach a giant tree housing a being encased by Dracula. Interacting with the nearby scale grants the Balancing the Scales of Justice Clue. Attempting to balance the scales will drain Rose's health.
Return to the Bishop's Office and exit east to the Docks. Descend and slide through a gap to reach the Justice District Sewers. Activate Holy Light to drop down. Navigate saw blades on a wheel and use Holy Light and an Arcane Whip swing to reach a lever that lowers the drawbridge, creating a shortcut. A chest in this area contains the Bastard Sword.
Proceed west to the Docks and then east to face a Minotaur. After defeating it, exit right to the Gate to the Stone Bridge. Save at the Mirror of Life. Activate the lever before the massive gate to reveal Dracula's Castle, marking the beginning of the true challenge.
Rose, battered but resolute, faces her mission of vengeance. The Main Hall of Dracula's Castle awaits.