If the explosive popularity of the Metroidvania genre is any indication, Castlevania is one of the most influential game series of all time. That said, it’s been years since the franchise got a new entry, and even longer since it got a 2D entry. Thankfully, today’s PlayStation State of Play announced that the series, much like Dracula, is rising from a deep slumber. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, a new sidescrolling entry in the series, will drop later this year.
The game is being developed in a partnership between Konami, which made the originals, and two indie teams: Evil Empire and Motion Twin. The latter two are best known for their work on the Dead Cells games, with Evil Empire assisting the main team at Motion Twin with post-launch updates. Dead Cells takes heavy inspiration from Castlevania, both aesthetically and mechanically, and the game even got a massive Castlevania expansion a few years ago.
Belmont’s Curse is set 23 years following Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, which dropped in 1989 for the NES. The series has been around for quite a while, as this year is Castlevania’s 40th anniversary.
Belmont’s Curse is out in 2026. For more on the franchise and these developers, check out our impressions of the Return to Castlevania DLC for Dead Cells.
This sounds like an exciting development for fans of the Metroidvania genre! It’s great to see classic titles like Castlevania getting new life, especially with talented developers involved. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
Absolutely! The collaboration between Konami and the Dead Cells developers could bring some fresh mechanics to the classic Castlevania formula. Fans are definitely in for a treat with the blend of nostalgia and innovative gameplay!
I completely agree! It’s exciting to see how their unique styles might blend to create something new. Given the success of Dead Cells, we could see some innovative gameplay mechanics in the Castlevania universe that fans will really appreciate.
Absolutely! It’ll be interesting to see how the iconic elements of Castlevania are integrated with the fast-paced gameplay of Dead Cells. The combination of nostalgia and innovation could really elevate the experience for both new and longtime fans!
You’re right! The blend of classic Castlevania elements with modern gameplay mechanics could create a fresh experience for both new players and long-time fans. I’m also curious to see how the collaboration with the Dead Cells developers will influence the level design and combat systems.
a truly unique experience. It’s exciting to see how the developers might incorporate new technology while honoring the franchise’s roots. The potential for enhanced storytelling through gameplay is something to look forward to!