Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is the first new 2D Castlevania in years. Published by Konami and developed by Evil Empire together with Konami, with Motion Twin as advisory studio (the two teams known for Dead Cells), it launched on 15 October 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Xbox on PC) and Nintendo Switch. It is set in Paris in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, and follows Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont. This page is a sourced analysis: we have not played the game, and every observation below is attributed.

Gameplay and progression

According to Konami, the game is a 2D action-exploration title built around the Vampire Killer whip, which is used both to fight and to swing through levels. Defeated bosses (Death, Medusa and Carmilla are announced, along with new ones such as Joan of Arc) are sealed into tarot cards and become Arcana that unlock spells and special moves. Weapons span seven categories, and relics add offensive and defensive effects. GameSpot praises "flexible combat, beautifully acrobatic traversal" and the "smart tarot system". Hardcore Gamer (4/5) praises the whip platforming.

What critics are less sure about

Eurogamer (3/5) points to "technical issues and some awkward controls". Push Square (7/10) finds it a good metroidvania but says it does not "do quite enough to really stand apart", and VGC feels the core gameplay has not evolved as much as the genre. Rock, Paper, Shotgun describes "an excellent action game that forgets its a metroidvania", and The Guardian notes that the new focus on twitchy action "may annoy purists". Nintendo Life (8/10, Switch review) warns that its difficulty may frustrate players less familiar with the format.

Versions and technical details

Konami lists 60 fps on PS5, Xbox and PC, and 30 fps on Nintendo Switch. Required storage is 8 GB for the Standard Edition (4 GB on Switch) and 10 GB for the Midnight Edition (6 GB on Switch). The Nintendo eShop lists a Nintendo Switch version only, with no dedicated Switch 2 Edition. Konami released update 1.1.4 on 6 November 2026. A free demo is available (checked on Steam and the PlayStation Store); according to Konami support it is not offered on Xbox on PC.

Languages and editions

Voice acting in English and Japanese; French text and interface. The Midnight Edition adds alternate outfits for Rose, a Digital Sound and Art Gallery and an in-game relic. Prices checked on 10 Nov 2026: €29.99 for the Standard Edition and €39.99 for the Midnight Edition on Steam, the French PlayStation Store and the Microsoft Store (Xbox Series X|S and PC via Xbox Play Anywhere), with no discount running. On PC, Gamesplanet sells the Steam key for €23.99 (Standard) and €31.99 (Midnight Edition), a 20% discount with no end date shown. At retail, only the Midnight Edition is available, according to the retailers checked. The soundtrack is by Daniel Asadi.

Who is it for?

Castlevania fans and players who like fast, demanding 2D action with plenty of exploration. If you are looking for a classic RPG-style "Igavania" in the vein of Symphony of the Night, or something truly new in the genre, several critics suggest tempering expectations.

What critics say

PS5 reviews are broadly positive, with a wide spread. Shacknews (10/10) suggests it "might be the best Castlevania game of all time". GamesRadar+ (4/5) calls it a "hugely compelling Metroidvania". Hardcore Gamer (4/5) finds it demanding but a good way into the series. Push Square (7/10) finds it solid but says it does not "do quite enough to really stand apart", and Eurogamer (3/5) praises its ambition while warning it "can all end in bloody tears".

Press average calculated by the site from the reviews listed below, PlayStation 5 version. Scores checked on 10 Nov 2026. This is not a TricknFix played review.