Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Reviews
I can appreciate what Castlevania: Belmont's Curse does well, and I genuinely enjoyed returning to Castlevania. But overall, it feels like a game that inherits both the strengths and the flaws of modern indie Metroidvanias, resulting in something that looks like a natural fit on the surface but never truly feels like one.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a gorgeous game, and it will make any Castlevania fan feel right at home after being away so long.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a far more modest effort to kickstart interest in the series again, and I do think opinions on it will be divided.
Marking the 40th anniversary, Castlevania's comeback is a welcome sight for fans, and although Belmont's Curse leans heavily into contemporary Metroidvania design, sometimes at the expense of the series' distinct identity, it delivers enough highlights to keep us optimistic about the franchise's road ahead.
Review in Persian | Read full review
The Castlevania series is back. There are lots of things to love about Evil Empire's Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, from its rewarding, interconnected world to its brilliant soundtrack, but issues with the game's balance might bring the experience down for some.
The Belmont clan seeks to finally break their curse and rid themselves of their arch-nemesis once and for all. But it won't be easy'far from it. The default difficulty recommended by the developers is very high; while you can adjust it, the game remains a tough challenge. Certain sections are exceptionally demanding, and the advanced controls feel clunky.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse marks a triumphant return for a franchise that has been absent from the Metroidvania genre and the gaming world for many years. The developers demonstrate a strong understanding of the series’ unique characteristics in most areas, delivering an experience that is deep, engaging, and at times downright addictive. The gameplay mechanics are remarkably rich, the interconnected level design encourages deep exploration, and the platforming sections seamlessly bring these elements together. While the Western-inspired art direction and distinctive soundtrack may stray somewhat from the franchise’s traditional identity, the gameplay retains the essence of what makes Castlevania so special.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a fantastic return for the franchise. Mixing old and new together, it feels at once like a fresh game and something distinctly and undeniably Castlevania. It does a great job of threading the needle between the many different versions of the franchise. There are some inconsistent difficulty spikes, occasional moments of meaningless friction, and the Switch port is a little lackluster. For fans of the franchise who are looking for a return to Dracula's castle, this is exactly what it should be, and it hopefully represents a new life for the immortal franchise.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a superb return to the legendary series, combining Rose Belmont’s surprisingly compelling, personal story with excellent exploration, demanding platforming challenges and satisfying combat. Evil Empire doesn’t set out to revolutionise the genre, but it makes brilliant use of its tried-and-tested foundations, offering stunning visuals, fantastic enemies and superbly balanced gameplay. This is exactly the kind of Castlevania that fans have been waiting for for years, and proof that Konami couldn’t have chosen a better team to bring the Belmont clan back.
Review in Polish | Read full review
I'd love to see what this team could do with a follow-up in the same vein, one that irons out some of the rough edges related to exploration and respawning. Rose is a compelling character in her own right, but the interactions between her and the souls she's captured add a nice degree of levity and charm to the story moments. It may not fly as high as some of its Castlevania predecessors, or even modern genre standouts like Silksong and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, but Belmont's Curse provides a dozen-plus hours of entertainment leading up to the height of spooky season.
After an 18-year hiatus for the vampire-hunting series' traditional style, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse both slakes the thirst of long-time fans and offers an entry point for a new audience. It is an adventure that plays it safe—taking a somewhat understated approach to the Metroidvania elements and facing some limitations—yet its strengths ultimately shine through, making it well worth playing. Here's hoping Rose Belmont's journey breathes new life into the franchise's future—and that the current low-resolution textures get adjusted for 4K screens.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Belmont’s Curse is a solid enough return for such a long-running series after such a lengthy absence, and it becomes an enjoyable experience if you give it some time. However, with no new ideas to bring to the genre, it never manages to be more than a good Metroidvania.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
With outstanding exploration packed with mind-blowing secrets and exceptional gameplay, Belmont’s Curse stands out in an oversaturated market, proving that Castlevania is still one of the kings of the genre.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Castlevania returns to 2D with a visually stunning experience packed with great ideas. With Rose Belmont wielding the whip, the legacy of the vampire-hunting family is in very good hands.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is the glorious comeback the franchise desperately needed. Evil Empire successfully blends their fast-paced combat philosophy with the traditional igavania structure, delivering a thrilling and fluid adventure. While the weapon variety feels a bit shallow and some platforming checkpoints are frustratingly placed, the surprisingly deep narrative, the clever Tarot mechanics, and a bold electronic/orchestral soundtrack make it a highly satisfying experience. A must-play injection of vitality for the iconic series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It feels more like a modern Metroidvania than what you'd expect from a game in the series but there's no denying that Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a must-have action-packed adventure for anyone who enjoys either the genre or the series. 🎴
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a smart modern refresh of the Metroidvania design, taking modern mechanics, fluidity and speed and pairing that with a traditional Castlevania adventure that fits into a popular part of the timeline.
Even when Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse had me in Bloody Tears and praying for mercy, I never stopped grinning from ear to ear and jumping right back in to see what else was hiding in Dracula’s Castle.
Belmont’s Curse isn’t just the game that Castlevania needed, but easily one of the best ones in the franchise.
A unique action-platformer for both longtime Castlevania fans and those looking to dive into the series for the first time. This is a game that we highly recommend not just within the series, but within the platformer genre as a whole.
Review in Turkish | Read full review