Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a demanding Metroidvania that relentlessly throws platforming challenges at the player, offering a frustrating yet ultimately rewarding experience. The game centers on Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor and Sypha, who absorbs the powers of defeated bosses to use as spells. These spells, along with weapon and trinket loadouts, can be upgraded by completing "Works of Mercy" quests. The narrative draws heavily from the Netflix Castlevania series, introducing new characters and developing existing ones through a magical tarot deck.
Gameplay Mechanics
The core combat mechanics involve using Rose's spells and weapon loadouts. Spells range from summoning a giant fist to dropping a holy cross, a nod to the series' roots. Each spell can be enhanced through dedicated upgrade paths. However, the game's platforming elements are a notable weakness. Rose's movement, particularly her whip grapple, is described as unforgivably slow, creating a mismatch with the fast-paced, precise timing required for certain challenges. This can make navigating hazardous environments feel like compensating for a physical impediment.
Despite the clunky platforming, the exploration aspects of Belmont's Curse are a highlight. The vast map is initially obscured by "squiggles," and uncovering each section is presented as a reward in itself, often revealing treasures like trinkets or weapons. A subtle visual legend indicates areas that are purple, signifying undiscovered content, while brown areas represent completion. The satisfaction of transforming a purple map section to brown provides a constant incentive to explore.
Combat and Difficulty
The combat, while incorporating a range of spells and abilities, suffers from uneven tuning. The initial boss fight against Leon Belmont is noted as an unexpectedly steep difficulty curve, serving as a demanding skill check. While later bosses require attention to mechanics and strategic use of abilities, the overall threat level can diminish as players acquire more powerful gear, spells, and experience. The review suggests that bosses do not scale effectively to meet player progression, allowing for encounters to become overly manageable.
Series Context and Overall Impression
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse arrives over a decade after the last original Castlevania title, filling a void in the Metroidvania genre that has seen many inspired by the series. While the game may not reach the heights of the genre's best or the most beloved Castlevania entries, the reviewer found the overall experience to be highly enjoyable. The game successfully evokes the spirit of classic Metroidvania titles, offering a compelling world and engaging challenges that largely overshadow its shortcomings. Notably absent from the game's extensive cast is Alucard, a character mentioned and depicted but not playable, which the reviewer expresses a desire for in potential future DLC.
The game was played for 24 hours, achieving a 94 percent completion rate. It was released on October 15th, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Evil Empire and Motion Twin are credited as developers.