Belmont's curse seems obvious in retrospect

Castlevania: Curse of Belmont was one of many games featured at this month's Sony State of Play. The showcase was packed with updates to already announced games and brand new surprise reveals, like Saber Interactive's John Wick game starring Keanu Reeves. One hopes for surprises at these stands, but a new one Castlevania the game is something that I and many players did not expect to be part of the event. Castelvania: Curse of Belmont looks like a wonderful return to form that takes the classic formula and gives it a modern makeover with a beautiful new art style.

With games like God of War Sons of Sparta and Castlevania: Curse of BelmontFebruary's State of Play put an unexpected spotlight on 2D side-scrollers. But now that I've had some time to think after the announcement, Castlevania: Curse of Belmont feels more like an inevitability than a real surprise. In retrospect, all signs of a new Castlevania the game could be on the horizon was there, hidden in plain sight.

The seeds for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse were planted long ago

Castlevania: Belmont's Revenge is developed by Konami, Motion Twin and Evil Empire. Motion Twin created one of the best modern Metroidvanias of the 2000s: The 2018s Dead cells. Evil Empire would later assist with the game's post-launch content and development. Fast forward a few years, and Dead cells received one of the most exciting post-launch updates yet. Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania launched in 2023, as a tribute to the game that created Dead cells possible in the first place.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Put Castlevania back in the spotlight

Before Castlevania: Belmont's Revenge was announced, the franchise had been dormant since 2015. Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania took their modern, fresh gameplay and used it as a way to show it off Castlevania still have gas in the tank. Even without Castlevania name attached, it would still have been a good DLC. But the added nostalgia and setting of Dracula's Castle made the experience that much more exciting for longtime Metroidvania fans and newcomers to the genre. Basics like food hidden in the walls, moody corridors and a gothic atmosphere were reminders of what made the series so special. Not all Castlevania the game has been a Metroidvania, but Dead cells' DLC showed that it is still the heart of the franchise and is the best way to experience its world.

Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.

Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse promises a return to form with a slight twist

The new entry seems to have all the hallmarks of a classic Castlevania game, but it has an art style that is closer Dead cells. This can be controversial too Castlevania fans who have been with the series since the beginning, but they Dead cells-inspired art direction gives it a wonderful new eye-catching look. Motion Twin and Evil Empire have already proven they can replicate the atmosphere of the franchise with Dead cells' art style, so the difference in appearance shouldn't be too drastic. There have been plenty of games inspired by Castlevania over the years, and Dead cells wears his inspiration on his sleeve. It may not be a full-blown Metroidvania in the traditional sense, but the elements of the genre it uses are clearly influenced by Castlevania.

With Dead cells is much faster than the classic one Castlevania franchise, it will be fascinating to see how Motion Twin and Evil Empire approach each other Castlevania: Curse of Belmonts pace. It's hard to tell from just the trailer footage, though Castlevania: Curse of Belmont at least looks a bit slower than Dead cells. It's promising that the game potentially has the more methodical approach of the franchise.

Everything known about Castlevania: Belmont's Curse So Far

Released in 2026
Will be available on Steam, Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
Set in Paris in 1499
The main character is Trevor Belmont's successor.
Whip-focused gameplay and traversal
Strategic combat with a large weapon list
Fell-heavy settings and biomes

Konami has not announced an official release date for Castlevania: Curse of Belmont yet, but it adds to 2026's stacked lineup of great games. Some of the biggest games in 2026 are AAA heavyweights Resident Evil: Requiem and GTA 6but it's exciting to see a new Metroidvania added to the calendar. What makes this year so exciting is the sheer amount of genre diversity there is.

Konami has yet to officially confirm a price, but fans have noticed that Best Buy has the game listed on the store's website for $40.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse hopefully marks a new era for the franchise

It's still too early to really tell, but this new post could potentially bring something new Castlevania revival to life. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow rebooted the series in 2010, but Belmont's Curse can bring things back to the series' original 2D roots in a way that also appeals to a new generation. Castlevania: Curse of Belmont will likely be some younger players' introduction to the series, and that alone gives the game the potential to blossom into a multi-year partnership between Motion Twin, Evil Empire, and Konami. The latter has even confirmed that “this is the beginning of many new products around Castlevania.” There are games that Castlevania out there, but it's hard to capture the unique identity of the original franchise. Thankfully, Motion Twin and Evil Empire have had experience rebuilding that magic.

right now, Castlevania fans will have to play the waiting game until Konami decides to reveal more information. It's unclear when that will be, but when that day comes, hopefully there will be a more extensive deep dive into how Motion Twin and Evil Empire have taken Castlevania series and made it his own. Between Castlevania: Curse of Belmont and a long-awaited look at the new Silent Hill game, Silent Hill: TownfallKonami is investing heavily in renewing some of its most beloved franchises. Bloober Teams Silent Hill 2 remake was a much-needed win for the horror franchise, and Castlevania: Curse of Belmont hopefully do the same for their respective franchises. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding this new one Castlevania chapter, but it's definitely an exciting promise for longtime fans.