Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Review: A Triumphant Return for the Vampire Hunting Franchise

Read our in-depth Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review. Discover how Evil Empire revived the classic Konami franchise with stunning visuals, tight combat, and freedom.

Darkness has descended upon Paris once again, marking a monumental shift for a beloved gaming dynasty. If you have been eagerly awaiting a proper side-scrolling entry, our Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review explores whether developer Evil Empire successfully resurrected the legendary franchise.

For fans of action-platformers, checking out a comprehensive Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review is essential before diving into this 20-ish-hour campaign. Let us break down how this gorgeous 2.5D Metroidvania stacks up against genre heavyweights and whether it truly captures the eternal night of Dracula's domain.

Stepping Into the Shadows: Setting and Story

Set twenty-three years after the supposed demise of Dracula at the hands of Trevor Belmont, the narrative introduces Trevor’s daughter, Rose Belmont. Afflicted by a dark curse since birth and armed with a magical tarot deck alongside her family's martial prowess, Rose ventures into a burning Paris and the looming castle.

According to community reports and critical consensus, the narrative stands out as the game's weakest element. While the franchise has always leaned into campy horror, this chapter attempts to tackle deeper themes of legacy and corruption. Unfortunately, heavy-handed writing occasionally undercuts these emotional beats.

Story Element	Detail	Player Experience
Protagonist	Rose Belmont (Trevor's daughter)	Headstrong, fearless, burdened by a bloodline curse
Antagonist	The resurrected Lord of Darkness	Classic Gothic menaces with a modern twist
Supporting Cast	Bosses trapped in tarot cards	Fun banter and squabbles over pecking order
Pacing	Linear A-to-plot with non-linear exploration	Occasional disconnect between tone and writing

Despite narrative shortcomings, the characters you collect along the way inject charm into the journey. Trapping defeated boss souls within tarot cards grants Rose constant companions who argue about Dracula's pecking order, providing welcome flavor during long stretches of exploration.

Presentation and Aesthetic Brilliance

Moving away from traditional 2.5D pixel art, Evil Empire embraced a vibrant, hand-painted comic-book aesthetic. Reminiscent of titles from studios like Supergiant Games, the visual design is a masterclass in atmosphere.

Each wing of Dracula's castle and every district of the Parisian streets feels remarkably distinct. The color work is genuinely striking, ranging from the sickly teal of the sewers to a blinding red sky that silhouettes foreground characters as you approach the castle gates.

Location / Biome	Visual Motif	Atmospheric Highlight
Paris Sewers	Sickly teal water and grime	Damp, claustrophobic subterranean dread
The Library	Whimsical oranges and pinks	Arcane scrolls floating amid warm lighting
Castle Approach	Red blinding sunset	Foreground elements reduced to stark silhouettes

Elevating these visual marvels is an epic electro-orchestral fusion soundtrack. While some purists might find the energetic beats overwhelming over long sessions, initial entries into new biomes hit with incredible force, matching the high-octane action on screen. You can check out more community reception and player ratings over on the official Metacritic Castlevania: Belmont's Curse page.

Combat Mechanics and Weapon Customization

As their first venture into the Metroidvania sphere, Evil Empire brought their expertise in tight, responsive combat from Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia. Combat is fast, deliberate, and deeply rewarding once you master the nuances.

A crucial adjustment for returning fans is the absence of invulnerability frames (i-frames) on the slide maneuver. Rather than hammering a dodge button to escape danger, players must carefully read enemy telegraphs and attack animations.

[Enemy Windup] -> [Analyze Shield/Weapon Stance] -> [Execute Timed Slide or Counter] -> [Chain Whip Combo]

To accommodate different playstyles, the game features seven distinct melee weapon types:

The Whip: Highly versatile, rewarding precise distance management.
The Spear: Incredible reach at the cost of slower animation recovery.
The Cestus: Fisticuffs that allow you to stick close to targets, though high risk due to short range.
Legendary Variants: Secret powerhouse weapons hidden deep within the castle's architecture.

Additionally, players can equip and upgrade over a dozen magical spells known as Arcanum. Completing combat milestones unlocks powerful modifiers, such as throwing dual cross-projectiles that restore mana upon successful strikes.

Hand-Crafted Exploration and Nonlinear Freedom

Exploration is the surprise crown jewel of the experience. Freed from the procedural constraints of roguelikes, Evil Empire crafted a labyrinthine, hand-designed world full of secrets, shortcuts, and environmental puzzles.

Unlike many modern titles that present an illusion of choice while forcing a strict boss order, this game opens up significantly. Major chunks of the map can be tackled in any sequence you prefer. To prevent players from wandering aimlessly, the developers embedded investigative clues—such as ghost accounts, riddles, and cryptic drawings—into the world.

Feature	How It Works	Impact on Gameplay
Non-Linear Progression	Tackle major wings and bosses out of order	Ultimate freedom in routing your playthrough
Investigative Clues	Ghost stories, riddles, and environmental drawings	Rewards curiosity without holding your hand
Accessibility Suite	Toggles for screen shake, outlines, and boss runbacks	Removes frustrating barriers for smoother pacing

Technical hiccups do exist. Reviewers noted occasional hard crashes and framerate drops during cutscene transitions, though a robust accessibility suite allows players to customize screen shake, turn on enemy outlines, and eliminate tedious boss runbacks entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse a true Metroidvania?

Yes. It features a sprawling, interconnected world map packed with hidden upgrades, traversal abilities, and non-linear exploration that defines the genre.

Who developed Castlevania: Belmont's Curse?

The game was developed by Evil Empire, the acclaimed studio known for their work on the Dead Cells DLCs and The Rogue Prince of Persia, in partnership with Konami.

How long does it take to beat the game?

A standard playthrough of this Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review subject takes approximately 20 hours to complete, offering incredible value at its price point.

What platforms is the game available on?

The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.