Castlevania: Belmont's Curse proves Dead Cells' developers were the right fit for a revival
Konami has entrusted Evil Empire, the studio behind the acclaimed roguelike Dead Cells, with reviving one of gaming's most iconic franchises: Castlevania. The result, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, arrives as a confident return to form for the series, blending the exploration-heavy Metroidvania structure fans expect with the fluid, high-octane movement that defined Evil Empire's previous work. Set in a Paris ablaze by Dracula's forces, the game introduces Rose, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who must vanquish the vampire lord while grappling with a demonic curse on her own arm.
While Rose is a new face in the series, her lineage connects directly to two former protagonists. Marketing director Bérenger Dupré explains that the team wanted to explore an interaction between two generations of Belmonts—a dynamic rarely seen in previous games. The story focuses on legacy and religion, with Rose being trained by her father Trevor as she journeys through a city torn apart by monsters.
Despite Evil Empire's reputation for fast-paced roguelikes like Dead Cells, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is not a rogue-lite. It is a traditional search-action Metroidvania where exploration and discovery are key to progression. Lead designer Sandro Bordier notes that the level design encourages players to exercise agency, nudging them toward mysteries and collectibles rather than simply blazing through enemies to reach objectives.
The game's visual style stands out immediately. Beyond the anime-style opening cutscene, the world is rendered with painted-over 3D models set against vibrant 2.5D levels featuring impressive baked lighting. The atmosphere is dense with mystery, fitting perfectly for an IP steeped in secrecy and lore.
A major highlight of the preview build is the boss fight against The Fallen, a monster roaming the sewers of Paris. Upon defeating him, Rose absorbs his soul into one of her Arcana tarot cards. This grants her access to his booming voice, a classic boomerang holy cross, and most importantly, the legendary Vampire Killer whip.
The whip is the centerpiece of combat in Belmont's Curse. Paired with Rose's slide ability, she transforms from a nimble knight into a web-slinging acrobat, swinging between grapple points with fluidity reminiscent of Alucard from Symphony of the Night. Players can also wrap the whip around enemies to pull themselves toward them or activate special attacks at precise moments. Dupré admits the team had internal debates about balancing this high-speed movement with the need for careful exploration, but they have successfully nailed it.
The shift from original IP Dead Cells to the longstanding Castlevania series comes with inherent pressure to live up to previous entries. Dupré acknowledges that the team has fans from the handheld era and veterans who remember the classics, making balancing expectations a tough but necessary task. Bordier adds that they never thought they'd get this unique opportunity, citing the IP as a treasure trove of possibilities.
From my time with the preview build, I can say with confidence that Evil Empire has a killer on their hands. They have managed to capture the fast-paced influence of Dead Cells while delivering the atmospheric exploration and mystery that defines a true Castlevania experience. It feels like a blessing for the Belmonts, proving that the French team is the right fit for this revival.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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