Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a new 2D “exploration action” Castlevania game set in 1499 Paris, developed by Konami in partnership with Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the studios behind Dead Cells and its Return to Castlevania DLC. It was officially revealed during the February 2026 PlayStation State of Play and is scheduled to launch in 2026.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse |
| Developers | Konami, Evil Empire, Motion Twin |
| Genre | 2D Exploration‑Action (not a roguelite) |
| Setting | Paris, 1499 – monster invasion |
| Protagonist | Successor to Trevor Belmont |
| Timeline | ~23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse |
| Main Weapon | Vampire Killer whip |
| Gameplay Style | Classic exploration, modern responsive combat |
| Release Window | 2026 (no exact date yet) |
| Platforms | PS5 (lead); Xbox Series X |
You play as Trevor Belmont’s unnamed successor, wielding the Vampire Killer whip and other weapons as you fight monsters across burning city streets and a looming castle. The game is pitched as a side‑scrolling Castlevania that mixes classic exploration with modern, fast, responsive combat rather than a pure roguelite.
For now, the only fully confirmed release window is 2026 and the lead platform is PlayStation 5, with Konami also listing Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on the official site. Until Konami locks in a date, you should treat any specific month or season as subject to change.
Quick facts about Belmont’s Curse
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New 2D exploration‑action Castlevania game.
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Developers: Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin.
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Setting: 1499, medieval Paris under attack from monsters.
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Protagonist: Successor to Trevor Belmont, wielding the Vampire Killer whip.
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Timeline: Set more than 20 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse.
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Release window: 2026, revealed at February 2026 State of Play.
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Platforms: PS5 confirmed, with the official site also listing Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
Who is making the new Castlevania?
Konami is leading the project and co‑developing Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse with Evil Empire and Motion Twin. Motion Twin created Dead Cells, while Evil Empire has been responsible for Dead Cells’ long‑term updates and DLC, including the Return to Castlevania crossover.
TechRadar and other outlets note that this is the same partnership behind Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia, bringing a lot of 2D combat and movement experience into a traditional Castlevania structure. The PlayStation Blog describes Belmont’s Curse as a “2D exploration action game,” not a roguelite, which suggests more handcrafted levels than randomized runs.
When is Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse coming out?
Konami has confirmed that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse will launch sometime in 2026. The reveal happened during the February 2026 State of Play showcase, where it was framed as a return of the classic 2D series for PlayStation 5 owners later this year.
Some coverage describes it as releasing “later in 2026,” but Konami has not publicly provided a precise date or quarter in its official posts or on the game’s website. Until that happens, it’s safest to treat the timing as a broad 2026 window that could shift as development continues.
What platforms is Belmont’s Curse on?
There’s been a bit of confusion around platforms, so here’s what’s actually confirmed right now. The PlayStation Blog and State of Play framing spotlighted Belmont’s Curse as a 2026 release on PS5. At the same time, Konami’s official site lists PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam as platforms, pointing toward a multiplatform launch.
Some early articles called the game “exclusive” to PS5, but those pieces were based on the initial reveal framing rather than the later, broader platform list. Until Konami clarifies whether there’s any timed exclusivity, the safest assumption is that PS5 is the lead platform, with other current‑gen consoles and PC also in the plan.
What is the story setup and timeline?
Belmont’s Curse takes place in medieval Paris in 1499, with the city under sudden attack from monsters emerging from the shadows. You step into the role of Trevor Belmont’s successor, armed with the Vampire Killer whip, as you move from burning streets into a mysterious castle threatening to plunge Paris into eternal darkness.
IGN and Game Informer both describe the game as set roughly 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, making it a follow‑up in that era of the timeline rather than a reboot. That timing also lines up with the way Konami is positioning the game as part of Castlevania’s 40th‑anniversary celebrations.
How does the gameplay work?
Konami describes Belmont’s Curse as a “2D exploration action” game built around three pillars: whip‑centric combat, additional weapons and abilities, and heavy exploration. The Vampire Killer whip is both your main weapon and a traversal tool, letting you swing across gaps, chain acrobatic moves, and hit enemies from flexible angles.
Alongside the whip, the reveal trailer and press materials mention a sword with straightforward controls for close‑range damage, plus other weapons and abilities that will be revealed later. Konami emphasizes that you’ll need to “strategically plan” each fight and use your full toolkit to survive, suggesting a mix of positioning, crowd control, and weapon swapping rather than pure button‑mashing.
Exploration leans hard into classic Castlevania elements: secret chambers, hidden items, breakable walls, and even meat pickups tucked behind destructible blocks. Familiar enemies like Zombies appear early, slow but dangerous in groups, setting the tone for tight, methodical room‑clearing where one mistake can get you surrounded.
From an action feel perspective, multiple outlets highlight the involvement of Evil Empire and Motion Twin as a sign that tight controls and smooth movement are a priority. If you liked how Dead Cells handled dodging, aerial control, and responsiveness, you can reasonably expect a polished 2D feel here, even though the structure is more traditional.
A quick personal take: the combination of classic Castlevania layouts with Dead Cells‑style responsiveness is the big hook. If Konami lets Evil Empire push the movement and enemy design, Belmont’s Curse could sit in a sweet spot between nostalgic and modern.
Is Belmont’s Curse a roguelite like Dead Cells?
No, nothing in the official description or early coverage calls Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse a roguelite. GameSpot specifically notes that, despite the Dead Cells connection, it’s “not looking like the game is actually a roguelite.”
Instead, Konami and partner studios keep using terms like “2D exploration action” and “side‑scrolling metroidvania,” which align much more with a structured progression model: persistent levels, secrets, and backtracking rather than runs and resets. Until Konami says otherwise, you should expect a more traditional Castlevania progression loop.
Is it worth watching if you’re a Dead Cells fan?
If you enjoyed Dead Cells’ fluid combat or the Return to Castlevania DLC, Belmont’s Curse is absolutely one to keep on your radar. The same teams are now building a full Castlevania game with Konami’s blessing, which means they can lean into the series’ lore, level design, and boss structure instead of just referencing it.
You’re trading randomized runs and meta‑progression for a crafted campaign in a fixed world, which should appeal more to players who like exploring every corner of a map and mastering set encounters.
