After an 18-year absence from mainline 2D Castlevania titles, Konami has entrusted the future of the iconic franchise to Evil Empire, the studio behind 2023’s acclaimed Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC. Their latest project, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, marks a significant milestone for the 40-year-old series, blending classic elements with contemporary design sensibilities.
The result is a compelling Metroidvania experience that honors the past while forging its own path—though not without some controversial departures from tradition.
Set approximately 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, the narrative follows Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades. When Dracula inevitably returns, Rose must venture through a demon-infested Paris and into the Dark Lord’s castle to end his reign of terror once more.
Rose emerges as a worthy addition to the Belmont lineage. She’s strong-willed and determined to prove herself, yet appropriately rough around the edges as someone still in training. Her occasional impulsiveness feels authentic, and while her tough exterior cracks to reveal vulnerability, she never becomes a damsel in distress. She carries the spirit of Sonia Belmont admirably.
The story incorporates intriguing twists involving the titular curse and mysterious tarot cards left by Sypha before her death. While enjoyable with plenty of fan-service nods, the plot follows familiar territory—Dracula returns, and you must destroy him.
Departing from series tradition, most character interactions occur within Rose’s mind rather than through physical encounters. The souls of vanquished bosses become sealed within her tarot cards, leading to entertaining banter—particularly between fallen Joan of Arc and Medusa. However, this internal dialogue lacks the warmth of classic moments like Alucard’s first meeting with Maria in Symphony of the Night. The absence of living NPCs to encounter feels like a missed opportunity, especially given the game’s Paris setting.
The map structure divides into large, self-contained zones more reminiscent of Super Metroid than Symphony of the Night. Each area features a boss, connected through pathways and special ferrymen doors for quick travel between regions.
Evil Empire has implemented several quality-of-life features that modern players expect:
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Percentage trackers for each area
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Customizable map markers for tracking blocked paths and collectibles
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Fast travel between save rooms within regions (activated by crouching before mirrors)
The fast travel system, while helpful, suffers from lengthy load times—approximately 15 seconds on base PS5—which becomes tedious during extended play sessions.
Belmont’s Curse distinguishes itself through two core mechanics:
The Magical Whip
This versatile tool allows Rose to swing from objects, pull herself toward enemies, and deliver enhanced attacks when timed properly. Chaining movement from enemy to enemy feels spectacular and rewards skilled play. Precision platforming sections requiring careful hazard avoidance add welcome variety.
The Light Shield
A defensive option that enables parrying, damage reflection, and phasing through certain walls when perfectly timed. However, the fast-paced combat and enemy density encourage aggressive play, making the shield feel somewhat underutilized. This offensive focus is reinforced by the magic restoration system—hitting enemies refuels your spell-casting abilities.
Accessibility Options
Evil Empire deserves praise for extensive adjustable settings, including:
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Damage output modification
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Experience gain rates
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Invincibility options
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Boss room respawning (highly recommended)
The ability to respawn outside boss doors rather than at distant save points dramatically improves the experience, allowing rapid learning through repetition rather than tedious backtracking.
Enemy Design: Quality Over Quantity
Classic Castlevania foes receive stunning visual updates. Axe knights tower menacingly, possessed swords spin and fire projectiles, and Death himself sports perhaps the best design in series history with an absolutely incredible scythe.
Unfortunately, enemy variety disappoints. Notable omissions include:
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Legion (the massive corpse ball)
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Wall-mounted skeleton heads
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Other fan-favorite creatures
Later areas rely heavily on palette-swapped enemies, making the bestiary feel thin compared to even Game Boy Advance entries.
Weapon Variety and Combat Feel
Seven distinct weapon types offer meaningful choice:
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Sword
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Sword and shield
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Spear
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Fists
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Great sword
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Dual swords
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Family whips
Each features four strength tiers found in hidden chests or earned from bosses. The fist weapons proved particularly entertaining, enabling enemy-launching uppercuts followed by rapid punch combos. However, the magical Vampire Killer whip eventually outclasses all alternatives.
The Identity Question
Here lies the central tension: Belmont’s Curse excels as a Metroidvania but feels less distinctly like Castlevania.
What’s Missing:
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Traditional sub-weapons (spinning Bibles, holy water, throwing axes, daggers)
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Hearts from lanterns (replaced by mana blobs)
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Extensive RPG systems and equipment
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Rose doesn’t even start with a whip
What’s Borrowed:
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Souls-like healing vials that recharge at save points
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Enemies respawning when resting
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Simplified relic system (three slots)
The game adopts modern genre conventions at the expense of series signature elements. Combat is excellent, but chaining air combos doesn’t evoke the feeling of playing as a Belmont.
Technical Presentation
Load times between areas feature static murals rather than Symphony of the Night-style hallway transitions. The artwork looks impressive initially but grows repetitive. A walking transition would have been a welcome throwback.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse represents a confident modernization of the franchise, delivering:
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Fast-paced, satisfying combat
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Excellent movement mechanics
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A compelling new protagonist
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Thoughtful accessibility features
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Solid map design with helpful tools
Yet it sacrifices intangible qualities that made Castlevania special. It’s a better Metroidvania than it is a Castlevania game—a distinction that will matter differently depending on player expectations.
For longtime fans hoping for a faithful revival of early 2000s Castlevania, adjustments are necessary. For those seeking an excellent action-platformer wearing Castlevania’s skin, Belmont’s Curse delivers admirably.
Evil Empire has proven themselves worthy custodians of this beloved series. Here’s hoping their next Castlevania venture arrives sooner than 18 years—some of us have reflexes to preserve.