Castlevania: Belmont's Curse puts Trevor's daughter in Paris with mixed results

Reports are mixed—Push Square calls it a valiant effort with solid Metroidvania bones, but Eurogamer says the controls feel awkward.

Evil Empire developed and Konami published Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a Metroidvania that puts you in control of Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades from Castlevania 3. Instead of Dracula's usual Transylvanian stomping grounds, this one takes place across Paris.

Rose wields a whip like her old man, but she's got her own twist: tarot cards that seal away enemy souls. Defeat bosses and you unlock Arcana abilities—Holy Cross, Infernal Pyre, Petrifying Gaze—that open up new paths and combat options. Classic Metroidvania structure.

Three keys, one gate, lots of backtracking

The setup is straightforward. You fight three initial bosses—The Fallen, Joan of Arc, and Medusa (also called the Prophetess)—to grab keys that unlock a gate leading to the catacombs. From there, the map sprawls across Paris Streets, Holy Innocents' Cemetery, Notre-Dame cathedral, a Clock Tower, and eventually Dracula's Castle itself.

It's the kind of loop fans of the genre know well: explore, hit a wall, gain a new ability, backtrack, push deeper. Reports say the Metroidvania design is competent, with enough secrets and upgrades to keep you moving.

The controls are a sticking point

Push Square called it a good Metroidvania and a valiant effort. Eurogamer wasn't as kind, pointing to awkward controls and execution issues that drag down the experience. Movement and combat feel are make-or-break in this genre, and reviewers seem split on whether Evil Empire nailed it.

If you're starving for a new Castlevania with fresh characters and a different setting, Belmont's Curse delivers on the basics. Just know the feel might not click for everyone.