Konami is officially bringing Castlevania back to the spotlight. After years of dormancy for the action-platformer series, a brand new entry titled Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is set to arrive this fall. Developed by Dead Cells veterans Evil Empire with advisory support from Motion Twin, the project has already garnered significant praise following recent hands-on previews.

Quick Facts

  • Release Date: October 15, 2026
  • Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch
  • Developer: Evil Empire (with advisory studio Motion Twin)

Meet Rose Belmont

The game introduces a new protagonist, Rose Belmont. While she carries the iconic family whip, the developers have shifted its primary utility. In Belmont's Curse, the whip is used more for traversal than traditional combat. Players can perform a grapple move on enemies, which triggers an attack upon contact. This attack varies based on the player's currently equipped main weapon, allowing for a degree of tactical flexibility.

Rose also utilizes magical arcana attacks, which function similarly to the series' traditional sub-weapons. The game places a heavy emphasis on character building, as these magic attacks are upgradeable in multiple ways, and players can choose from a variety of melee weapons to suit their playstyle.

Early Impressions and Gameplay

Initial feedback from the press has been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have praised the title's distinctive art direction and its success in blending classic elements with modern design.

"It’s a tricky tightrope to walk: keeping old Castlevania game fans happy whilst simultaneously pleasing a new, modern audience... But, the core of Castlevania is preserved here, with its beloved SotN-style gameplay of tight combat, intriguing exploration, and arcane spells," notes GamesRadar.

Eurogamer highlighted the collaboration between Konami and Evil Empire, stating that the game feels like a "grand return to the series' platformer roots." Meanwhile, Kotaku noted that while the influence of the developers' previous work is present, the game remains firmly grounded in Castlevania fundamentals: vampires, hunters, gothic aesthetics, and labyrinthine exploration.

PC Gamer, having spent three hours with the game, described it as a "very good metroidvania" with the potential to become an outstanding one, noting that fans should hope for "whackier weapons" in the vein of Aria of Sorrow as the game progresses. If the current level of quality holds through the full campaign, IGN suggests the game is well-positioned to stand alongside the "all-time greats of the series."