The return of the Castlevania franchise has been officially confirmed with the announcement of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, a title scheduled for 2026 that will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch and PC.The game commemorates the 40th anniversary of the saga and is committed to returning to its roots within the 2D side-scrolling action genre.
The plot takes place in a medieval Paris devastated by monstrous creatures. Konami, in collaboration with the Evil Empire and Motion Twin studios, aims to revitalize the classic formula without losing the essence and legacy that define the franchise.
The story is set in the year 1499, where Paris is ravaged by fires and attacked by beings emerging from the shadows.The player will take control of the successor to Trevor Belmont, famous vampire hunter who wields the legendary Vampire Killer whip.The objective will be to make your way through a multitude of monsters and save the city from destruction.Konami notes that this new setting aims to offer a familiar yet innovative atmosphere within the Castlevania universe, using a more vibrant color palette and an evolved art style from previous titles.
Among the main new features of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, the expanded role of the whip stands out, which is now more versatile in both combat and exploration.According to Konami, the whip will make it possible to move with agility and creativity, allowing you to overcome enemies and obstacles acrobatically. In addition, the game will include numerous weapons, confirming the presence of a sword and anticipating more alternatives in the future.Players will have to combine skills and weapons to overcome challenges in combat and solve puzzles, as the scenarios will be full of traps, secrets and obstacles that will require skill and planning.Classic elements such as the option to break walls to find items that restore health will also be present, reaffirming the commitment to the essence of the series.
This project is the result of collaboration between Konami and two studios recognized in the action and platform genre: Evil Empire, responsible for The Rogue Prince of Persia, and Motion Twin, developers of Dead Cells.The goal of this collaboration is to unite the classic Castlevania experience with a modern approach to design and gameplay, to deliver an experience that they promise will be unique in its combination of gothic aesthetics and vivid colors.
The game has been highlighted for its renewed art direction, which expands the classic Gothic vision through an innovative use of color and visual design, clearly differentiating itself from the pixel art style of previous installments.The launch coincides with the forty years of Castlevania, a significant fact for a franchise that is still present in the memory of numerous generations and continues to evolve in a way that is respectful of its history and adapting to new audiences.
Konami has stressed that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse will maintain the elements that made the first Castlevania memorable, including classic enemies such as zombies, who will reappear and pose challenges from the early stages of the game.According to the editor, although these zombies can be easily defeated individually, in large groups they represent a challenge that will require the player to tactically manage the combats.
Exploration will be a fundamental part of the experience;Varied scenarios with a multitude of passages, hidden objects and environmental puzzles have been promised, inviting the player to carefully examine each area to survive and discover the secrets of Paris.Distinctive features such as encounters with supporting characters and powerful adversaries are also maintained, providing an experience in which nostalgia and constant discovery are present for both veteran and new players.
