Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse has an 86 on Metacritic and an 85 on OpenCritic. Most critics call it a triumphant return and a smart modernization of the series, though some question whether it still feels enough like Castlevania. The reviews split over its sharper action: some praise the changes, while others miss classic elements.
It’s the first mainline entry in the vampire action series in more than 10 years. Konami, a Japanese publisher, is finding its feet again by licensing its properties to younger developers around the world, a strategy that has worked pretty well for Silent Hill. For this return to Castlevania, the publisher teamed up with Evil Empire, the studio that supports Dead Cells. The collaboration’s groundwork came with the 2023 mashup Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania.
GameSpot’s Steve Watts gave Belmont’s Curse a 10/10, calling it “one of the best Castlevania games, and one of the best metroidvania games, of all time.” He praised its sprawling map, mysteries, traversal tools, story, and characters. Watts also called its combat the best in any Castlevania game and among the best in 2D action games.
IGN’s Scott White also liked the new hero, Rose Belmont, and praised the sharp, responsive combat. But he argued that it comes at the expense of classic series traits, including its RPG system and distinctive feel. “So much else of what usually sets this series apart within this genre has been smoothed over with Belmont’s Curse, which leaves the whole package feeling a bit like a really solid metroidvania wearing a superficial Castlevania skin,” White wrote. “There isn’t even a dagger to throw, which just feels kind of wrong. [Rose] doesn’t even start the game with a whip.”
Game Informer’s Charles Harte offered a different take on the game’s place in the franchise. Though Belmont’s Curse is technically a sequel to Castlevania 3, Harte said it follows the first two seasons of Netflix’s Castlevania anime and is arguably a better sequel to the show than to the game. In his 9.25/10 review, he praised the anime-inspired art and character designs, as well as returning voice actors, including Trevor Belmont. Harte also liked the tarot card system, which unlocks upgradeable spells and leads to some of the game’s biggest treasure hunts.
Harper Jay MacIntyre’s three-star review for The Guardian also focuses on the shift in play style. MacIntyre described Belmont’s Curse as moving toward “twitch-based action,” a change that “may annoy purists, but you can’t call it dull.” The review criticizes its emphasis on Super Meat Boy-style platforming gauntlets over puzzle-solving, along with its uneven pacing. MacIntyre called it “the most virtually striking Castlevania since 2002’s Harmony of Dissonance” and said that at times it is inventive and brain-teasing, “In other moments, you’ll be bored to bloody tears.”
Polygon’s Elijah Gonzalez judged the game on its own terms, calling it “a near-perfect Metroidvania.” Gonzalez praised its mix of throwback appeal and gameplay built on Dead Cells, along with the bold colors in its gothic visuals and the new card-based Arcana system. Gonzalez wrote that it “breathes new life into these games while honing in on what makes this series special.”
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse releases Oct. 15 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
