Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a new 2D action‑exploration Castlevania game set in 1499 Paris, developed by Konami in partnership with Evil Empire and Motion Twin for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, with a planned 2026 release. It takes place 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, following Trevor Belmont’s successor as they wield the Vampire Killer whip to fight a demonic invasion and a mysterious castle looming over the city.
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| Release window | 2026 (no specific date yet) |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X |
| Setting | Paris, year 1499, 15th‑century Europe |
| Timeline placement | 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse |
| Protagonist | Successor to Trevor Belmont (young Belmont hero) |
| Genre | 2D action‑exploration / Metroidvania‑style platformer |
| Developers | Konami with Evil Empire and Motion Twin |
| Anniversary context | Part of Castlevania’s 40th anniversary plans |
If you’re wondering what kind of game this is, think a modern 2D “exploration action” Castlevania: sidescrolling combat, a large interconnected castle and city to explore, and a heavy focus on whip‑based traversal, secrets, and classic series callbacks. Konami is positioning Belmont’s Curse as a fresh beginning for the series, timed with Castlevania’s 40th anniversary, rather than a small spin‑off or remaster.
What kind of game is Belmont’s Curse?
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is described officially as a 2D “exploration action” title, which translates to a side‑scrolling action‑platformer with a large, interconnected world and progression gated by abilities and exploration. You move through Paris and a towering mystical castle, fighting monsters, uncovering secrets, and gradually opening up new routes and shortcuts.
The official site and early coverage frame it firmly in the Metroidvania tradition: a non‑linear map, save rooms, and fast travel points, with exploration and backtracking being core to the experience. For players, that means this isn’t a level‑by‑level arcade throwback; it’s closer in structure to Symphony of the Night and later 2D entries, just with a new setting and art direction.
Story, setting, and where it sits in the Castlevania timeline
Belmont’s Curse is set in Medieval Paris in the year 1499, with the city under siege from monsters that suddenly emerge from the shadows, igniting fires and plunging the streets into chaos. A massive, ominous castle appears above the city, serving as the main hub of danger and exploration as you work to stop a looming supernatural catastrophe.
The story unfolds 23 years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, making this a direct follow‑up in the classic timeline. You play as Trevor Belmont’s successor, a younger member of the Belmont clan who inherits the legendary Vampire Killer whip and takes on the task of saving Paris from eternal darkness. Konami also ties the setup to the recent animated show, positioning this era of the Belmonts as a fresh jumping‑in point for new players.
Who is developing Belmont’s Curse and how are the Dead Cells devs involved?
Konami is publishing and overseeing the project but is collaborating with Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the teams behind Dead Cells and its Return to Castlevania DLC. Evil Empire handles primary development, while Motion Twin partners with them to bring experience in fast, responsive 2D combat and roguelite‑style design.
This is the first new 2D Castlevania in years, and Konami has publicly called Belmont’s Curse a “new beginning” for the series as part of its anniversary push. For players, the practical takeaway is that the game combines the classic Castlevania fantasy with studios that already proved they understand how to modernize 2D combat and level design through Dead Cells.
Gameplay: whip, weapons, exploration, and combat
The Vampire Killer whip is back at the center of both combat and movement, and it’s more versatile than in many older entries. You can crack it in multiple directions to attack enemies, but also use it to swing across gaps and navigate the environment like a grapple or rope, making traversal feel acrobatic and skill‑based.
On top of the whip, Konami confirms that you’ll have access to a “large selection of weapons and abilities,” including a sword shown in the reveal that offers solid attack power and a more straightforward feel.
Exploration retains many classic Castlevania touches. Expect:
-
Hidden chambers and breakable walls that can conceal healing items like the traditional wall‑meat.
-
Distinct biomes packed with traps, puzzles, and secret routes.
-
Familiar enemies like slow‑moving zombies that are easy to kill alone but dangerous in groups.
A useful way to think about it is: you’re learning the layout of a huge castle and city, using new abilities and weapons to reach previously blocked areas, while your whip and tools define how aggressive or cautious you can be in combat.
An example scenario: you might enter a burning Parisian boulevard filled with zombies and environmental hazards, using the whip to swing over pits, then swap to a faster weapon to deal with clustered enemies before they overwhelm you.
Platforms, release timing, and 40th anniversary context
Konami and the official Belmont’s Curse site list PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam as launch platforms, all targeting 2026. There’s no confirmed day‑and‑date release yet, just a broad 2026 window and “launches this year on PS5” messaging from the State of Play reveal.
The game is one of the centerpieces of Castlevania’s 40th anniversary, marking four decades since the original 1986 Castlevania on Famicom/NES. Konami has said Belmont’s Curse is only the start of its anniversary plans, with more Castlevania‑related products and projects in development. For you as a player, that likely means Belmont’s Curse will sit alongside other celebratory releases, collections, or tie‑ins over the next couple of years.
Is Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse worth keeping on your radar?
If you enjoy classic Castlevania, modern Metroidvanias, or Dead Cells‑style 2D combat, Belmont’s Curse is absolutely one to watch. It brings back the whip‑driven, secret‑stuffed 2D formula with a new setting, modern animation, and developers who have already shown they can make this style of game feel sharp and replayable.
Since there’s no firm release date or detailed systems breakdown yet, it’s still too early to judge build depth, progression speed, or how punishing the game will be. But as a 2026 tentpole release for the series’ 40th anniversary, on all major platforms, it looks designed to be a big “Castlevania is back” moment rather than a smaller side project.
