Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse review – every fantastical vampire-hunting vision is fulfilled
Evil Empire/Konami; PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox There are buzzsaws and blood pits, bats burst into blood and demons burn to cinders. The series’ new emphasis on twitch-based action may annoy purists but you can’t call it dull A gorgeously gothic Paris swarming with demons should be a perfect setting for Konami’s long-running vampiric adventure series. Unfortunately, while the sights and sounds of this vivid and haunting…
Key points
- Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a new game from Evil Empire and Konami for PC, PS5, Switch and Xbox.
- Players control Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, fighting to free Paris from demons.
- The game emphasizes twitch-based combat and platforming challenges, with inconsistent exploration and pacing.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, developed by Evil Empire and published by Konami, is a new entry in the long-running vampire-hunting series. It is available on PC, PS5, Switch and Xbox. The game is set in a gothic Paris overrun by demons.
Players take on the role of Rose Belmont, the daughter of series regular Trevor Belmont and the witch Sypha Belnades. Her quest is to free Paris from demonic occupation.
Combat and platforming
The game's combat is frenetic and sometimes overwhelming, with boss fights demanding focus and skill. The shift toward twitch-based action may annoy purists, but battles are not dull. Every fantastical vampire-hunting vision is fulfilled, with bats bursting into blood and demons burning to cinders.
Exploration focuses on mastering challenge rooms filled with buzzsaws and blood pits, rather than backtracking through previously inaccessible routes. Learning to juggle multiple tools becomes crucial, as some rooms resemble the tough platformer Super Meat Boy more than Symphony of the Night. A significant portion of the maps is devoted to platforming challenges.
You have a whip, a castle, and a dark lord. Do you really need anything else?
— The Guardian
Inconsistent world and progression
As Rose progresses, she gains new magical attacks via tarot cards and tools for reaching new areas. The game world is inconsistent: the castle library offers notebook-worthy puzzles, including a cathedral hidden within a cursed portrait that tasks you with playing music on a magic organ. However, other areas, such as underground waterways, are packed with uninspired combat challenges.
The game improves considerably after an early twist forces Rose to grapple with the Belmont family legacy and her own anger. Once you're out of the Parisian streets and into Dracula's castle, there's far more to love. The result is an earnest, likable game with undeniable shortcomings and moments of frustration, but also real cleverness on display.
