Castlevania Returns: Belmont’s Curse Delivers Gothic Horror Gaming Renaissance

For nine years, Netflix’s acclaimed animated adaptation of the legendary video game franchise introduced a new generation to the gothic horror world of Castlevania. Based loosely on Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, the series followed Trevor Belmont, the last descendant of the disgraced monster-hunting lineage, alongside his allies Sypha Belnades and Alucard, Dracula’s half-vampire son, as they battled to save humanity in the Eastern European nation of Wallachia. The show became one of Netflix’s most popular adult animated offerings, spawning a sequel spin-off, Castlevania: Nocturne. However, the core games remained largely dormant since 2014’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, leaving fans wondering when Konami would revive the franchise.

This year, the darkness has returned. After years of remasters, collections, and crossover appearances in titles like Dead Cells, Vampire Survivors, and Dead by Daylight, Sony’s State of Play presentation in February confirmed that Castlevania was making its comeback with a new title: Belmont’s Curse. Developed by Evil Empire, the team behind Dead Cells and its “Return to Castlevania” DLC, the game marks the franchise’s 40th anniversary with a fresh artistic direction and a previously unseen Belmont protagonist — Rose, daughter of Trevor and Sypha. Now that it’s been released, critics have largely agreed that it represents a triumphant return to form.

At present, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse holds a solid 84 on Metacritic, placing it competitively among the franchise’s other “Metroidvania” entries. It trails just behind the original Lords of Shadow and one point behind the beloved Nintendo DS titles, Order of Ecclesia and Portrait of Ruin. On Xbox consoles, the score rises to 88, putting it on par with series classics like Symphony of the Night and Dawn of Sorrow. PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC versions sit slightly lower at 78 and 82 respectively. The critical consensus praises the new visual style, refined gameplay mechanics, and the developers’ deep understanding of classic Castlevania elements, though some have noted occasional performance issues and uneven pacing in progression.

What Is ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’ About?

Set 23 years after Trevor and his companions vanquished Dracula in his castle, the story of Belmont’s Curse finds our heroes in France, where creatures of the night terrorize Paris. Investigation reveals that Dracula’s castle has mysteriously reappeared in the city’s heart. Equipped with the legendary Vampire Killer whip and mystical tarot cards inherited from her mother, Rose ventures into the reformed fortress, growing stronger as she uncovers the evil that dwells within. The voice cast includes Abby Trott as Rose, JB Blanc as Trevor, Aaron LaPlante as Death, Liam O’Brien as Isaac, Erica Lindbeck as Joan of Arc, and Dawn M. Bennett as Carmilla. Notably, Alejandra Reynoso and Graham McTavish return as Sypha and Dracula respectively, bridging the game with the animated series.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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