For fans of classic side-scrolling exploration, it has been a remarkably long wait. In fact, the last time the gaming industry saw a completely original, non-remake 2D mainline entry in the Castlevania series was Order of Ecclesia on the Nintendo DS all the way back in 2008. For nearly two decades, indie developers stepped into the void with a tidal wave of brilliant Metroidvanias heavily inspired by Symphony of the Night. Thankfully, Konami has woken up to the treasure trove of dormant franchises in its vault. Passing the keys to the Bordeaux-based studio Evil Empire—famous for their incredible post-launch work on Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia—the franchise is back with a vengeance in Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. A New Belmont in a Burning Paris The game shifts the gothic focus away from Wallachia and thrusts players directly into the ruins of a burning, heavily detailed, 2.5D-adjacent rendition of Paris. Players step into the boots of Rose Belmont, the daughter of the legendary Trevor Belmont. While her father heads off to conduct his own investigations, Rose is left to explore the gothic labyrinth of the French capital, striking down classic public-domain monsters and dropping cryptic remarks about her mysterious mother. Fast-Forward Mechanics and Modern Refinements While purists might initially mourn the transition away from traditional pixel art, Belmont’s Curse is an absolute looker that feels smoother than any entry before it. Evil Empire has modernised the structural pacing by respecting the player's time: Immediate Arsenal: Mechanics like floor sliding and wall jumping are available right from the opening screen rather than being stingy, late-game upgrades. Survival Kits: Players start with three health potions and can stack more over time, alongside a more generous drop rate for health-restoring food items. Aggressive Traversal: The whip has been brilliantly reworked to serve as both a lethal tool and a kinetic traversal mechanic, allowing Rose to swing over pits or pull herself actively toward monsters in a lethal dance. Classic Difficulty with Modern Polish Make no mistake: despite the welcoming quality-of-life adjustments, the game still packs an incredibly sharp set of fangs. Bosses, including a fascinating historical twist with a monstrous Joan of Arc, strike incredibly hard, heavily punishing careless mistakes. Furthermore, the game punishes cowardice by allowing flying gargoyles, bats, and harpies to stalk you across screens, actively compounding ongoing battles. With massive smashable walls, clever map-reading puzzles, and an environment that trades hand-holding guide arrows for cryptic clues told by morbid ghosts, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is more than an homage. It has the active momentum to challenge Symphony of the Night for the throne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1YYTbciSD8
