Nearly two decades after the last mainline 2D Castlevania game, the team behind Dead Cell’s Return to Castlevania DLC has been given the keys to Dracula’s Castle for real. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse aims to breathe fresh life into this 40-year-old series with a creative blend of old and new ideas. With a brand new Belmont wielding the family whip, familiar foes, and modern conveniences, developer Evil Empire has largely hit their mark, though longtime fans expecting a completely faithful revival of earlier games might want to reconsider.
Belmont’s Curse picks up in Paris about 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. The protagonist is Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who is tasked with stopping Dracula's return. The story, which spans 10-15 hours, largely follows the familiar beats of Dracula’s resurgence and the hero’s quest to defeat him. The game sprinkles in some twists, many revolving around a titular "curse" and a set of Tarot cards left by Sypha. While the narrative provides nods for dedicated fans, it's not the primary draw.
Rose Belmont is a strong-willed and focused character, eager to prove herself worthy of her family's legacy. She can be impulsive but learns from her mistakes, and while her tough exterior occasionally shows a more vulnerable side, she never appears as a damsel in distress. She is accompanied by a small cast of helpers, but most interactions occur within Rose’s mind, with the souls of vanquished bosses sealed in her Tarot cards. While there are amusing bickering moments, the lack of direct interaction with living characters or bustling environments makes the world feel less alive compared to previous entries.
The map is divided into large, self-contained zones, similar to Super Metroid, with each area typically overseen by a boss. These zones are connected by pathways and ferryman doors that allow for quick travel between regions. Modern conveniences such as percentage trackers for each area and customizable map markers are included, aiding players prone to getting lost or forgetting objectives. A particularly useful, though unannounced, feature allows for fast travel between save rooms within a region by holding down and crouching near a mirror. However, the 15-second load time to access this hub, even on PS5, can become tedious.
Each Castlevania game typically introduces a unique system, and Belmont's Curse focuses on a magical whip and a protective light shield, with Tarot cards granting additional spells. The whip allows Rose to swing from objects, pull herself towards them, and close the distance with enemies for stronger attacks. This mechanic, combined with agile movement, makes combat feel dynamic and satisfying, especially in challenging platforming rooms that require precision.
The light shield is a more defensive tool, enabling parries and reflections when perfectly timed, and granting passage through certain walls and floors. However, the fast pace of combat and the prevalence of enemies encourage an offensive playstyle, further incentivized by the fact that magic is restored by hitting enemies. The game does offer adjustable settings, including damage output, experience gain, and even the option to avoid death altogether, providing significant player flexibility. The ability to respawn outside boss rooms, rather than at save points, is a particularly welcome option for those who prefer rapid attempts at challenging encounters.
Classic Castlevania enemies are present, featuring stunning and imposing new designs. Death, Dracula’s right-hand man, boasts a particularly impressive design. Despite the visual upgrades, the variety of enemies is surprisingly low, with notable omissions of fan favorites. The game often relies on palette swaps for stronger foes, making the bestiary feel somewhat disappointing compared to other titles in the series.
Combat options are diverse and satisfying, with seven unique weapon types, including swords, fists, and whips. Each weapon type has four tiers of strength. While the magical Vampire Killer whip eventually outshines other options, the fist weapons offer a fun alternative for close-quarters combat. However, the overall combat feel diverges from traditional Castlevania gameplay. The absence of series staples like sub-weapons such as holy water or axes, and Rose not even starting with a whip, contributes to a feeling that the game is a solid metroidvania wearing a Castlevania skin.
Belmont's Curse also incorporates elements from the soulslike genre, including rechargeable healing vials that replenish at save points, which also respawn enemies. The mana system replaces the traditional hearts from lanterns, and collectibles that expand health and magic bars are present. Many RPG systems have been streamlined, with a focus on equipment in three relic slots offering situational benefits. The game's load times, while featuring an awesome static mural, are reminiscent of Symphony of the Night's lengthy transitions.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse offers a fun experience and stands as a great option in the crowded action-platformer genre. However, it doesn't quite capture the specific essence of Castlevania that longtime fans might hope for, leaning more into general metroidvania design. Despite this, the game's modern conveniences, engaging combat, and new hero make it a worthy entry, and the possibility of future titles from developer Evil Empire is an appealing prospect.