Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse arrived on October 15, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S, marking the first traditional entry in the vampire-hunting series in roughly 18 years. It is developed by Evil Empire, the studio behind the Dead Cells Castlevania expansion, and published by Konami.
What it is
A side-scrolling Metroidvania set in a gothic, demon-swarmed Paris. Players control Rose Belmont, daughter of a vampire hunter, and the game leans on twitch-based combat and a large interconnected map rather than the slower, more deliberate feel of the older titles. Evil Empire’s prior work on Dead Cells is visible in the pacing.
What reviewers liked
The consensus is positive and specific. RogerEbert.com called it “the best, at least so far, for 2026” among Metroidvanias, praising the level design, voice work and storytelling while noting it never feels like pure homage. Polygon’s headline described it as a near-perfect Metroidvania. Several critics singled out the interconnected world, the soundtrack and Rose as a strong protagonist, with one review calling it a return to form that also works as an entry point for newcomers.
Where the criticism landed
The complaints are consistent across outlets. The Guardian found that the most imaginative elements take too long to appear and that the new emphasis on twitch action may annoy purists, while still calling the world vivid and haunting. Other reviews flagged uneven boss design, a subdued soundtrack relative to the series’ high-water marks, a slow opening, and difficulty spikes in which a single hit sends you back — a balance choice that some critics found punishing rather than rewarding. At least one review noted low-resolution textures that look soft on 4K displays.
Why it matters beyond one game
This release tests whether Konami can sustain a franchise revival built on an outside studio rather than internal development, and it comes during a strong stretch for the genre. Reviews suggest the experiment worked on the creative side; the open question is whether balance patches follow to soften the most common complaint.
What we did not do
This article is a summary of published reviews and release information from the sources listed below. No copy of the game was provided to or played by the author, and no hands-on testing claims are made here.
Sources
- The Guardian, “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse review – every fantastical vampire-hunting vision is fulfilled”: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2026/oct/13/castlevania-belmonts-curse-review-vampire-hunting
- RogerEbert.com, “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Whips Landmark Franchise Back into Shape”: https://www.rogerebert.com/video-games/castlevania-belmonts-curse-whips-landmark-franchise-back-into-shape
- Metacritic review aggregation for Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse: https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-belmonts-curse/
- Polygon, “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Is a Near-Perfect Metroidvania”: https://www.polygon.com/castlevania-belmonts-curse-review/
- Game Informer weekend recommendations, October 16, 2026: https://gameinformer.com/opinion/2026/10/16/the-video-games-and-more-you-should-play-this-weekend-october-16-2026
