Castlevania: Belmont's Curse reviewed ahead of 15 October release
Screen Rant and Radio Times both review Konami and Evil Empire's Castlevania: Belmont's Curse favourably, while noting weaknesses in its story and bosses.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a new entry in Konami's long-running series, is due for release on 15 October 2026, and Screen Rant and Radio Times published reviews on 13 October that are broadly positive. Radio TimesN “Castlevania: Belmont's Curse releases on 15 October 2026.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Screen RantN “Castlevania: Belmont's Curse brings back a legendary series in a fresh form, and it lands a lot more cracks of the whip than it misses.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Centre · 2The game was developed by Konami and Evil Empire, the studio behind the Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC; Radio Times says that 2023 DLC impressed Konami enough to hand Evil Empire the series' revival. Screen RantN “Developed by Konami and Evil Empire, the studio behind the Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Radio TimesN “That DLC apparently impressed Konami so much that Evil Empire was handed the reins to Castlevania's revival” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 2It follows Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who goes to 1499 Paris to defeat Dracula's evil, and it is a Metroidvania in which new weapons and traversal abilities open up a map to explore. Radio TimesN “tells the story of Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who heads to 1499 Paris” Read at Radio Times ↗ Screen RantN “adding to Rose's abilities with new weapons, charms, and traversal upgrades that let her swing from hooks, smash through rocks, and more” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Centre · 2Both reviewers find Rose an underdeveloped lead: Screen Rant calls her an underdeveloped trope, and Radio Times calls her fairly one-note. Both say the supporting cast is stronger, with Screen Rant praising the eccentric bosses' monologues and Radio Times praising the voice acting. Screen RantN “her character never feels like much more than an underdeveloped trope” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Radio TimesN “Rose is fairly one-note.”“All are wonderfully voice acted” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1Screen Rant praises the game's fast, fluid feel, blending Dead Cells-style movement with older Castlevania precision, and its 2.5D cartoon art. It finds the soundtrack effective but not inspired, and says the game loses some of the series' familiar gloomy atmosphere. Screen RantN “Like Dead Cells, it's all fast and fluid.”“A driving soundtrack is generally effective, but never truly inspired.”“Belmont's Curse admittedly loses certain touches of familiar Castlevania atmosphere” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times found exploration and combat disappointing at first, but says both improve once the player enters Dracula's Castle, with puzzles, abilities and freedom of order. It still finds many bosses a repetitive dodge-and-hit cycle, finds the map design and fast travel a chore in places, and rates Dead Cells' combat higher. Radio TimesN “Thankfully, upon entering Dracula's Castle, Belmont's Curse really comes into its own.”“I found many to require little more than a cycle of dodge-hit-dodge-hit”“a less-than-forthcoming fast travel mechanic” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 1Screen Rant says the platforming is well designed but leans on block-flipping to avoid spikes and can make backtracking tiresome. It says the game gets easier as Rose levels up. Screen RantN “While more of it relies on flipping blocks on and off to avoid spikes than I'd personally prefer, it's well-designed and occasionally exhilarating.”“With enough time spent exploring, the difficulty curve starts to fall off” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Centre · 2Both conclude positively. Screen Rant says it is "incredibly fun to play" and that most of its changes work. Radio Times calls it "a fantastic return for the series" worthy of Castlevania's 40th anniversary, while saying it never quite reaches its full potential. Screen RantN “More than anything else, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is incredibly fun to play.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Radio TimesN “Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a fantastic return for the series buoyed by stellar exploration, puzzles and a wealth of secrets to uncover.”“Belmont's Curse never quite reaches its full potential.” Read at Radio Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present the game as a successful revival of Castlevania with caveats. Screen Rant stresses a fresh genre blend and enjoyment; Radio Times stresses exploration and puzzles after a slow start.
- Emphasis
- Gameplay feel, exploration, the Dead Cells link, and the weakness of the lead character.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither covers pricing, platforms or technical performance.
- Charged language
- “Bloody Good Fashion”“A triumphant resurrection”
- For example
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“Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Review - Drac Is Back In Bloody Good Fashion” — Screen Rant
“Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review – A triumphant resurrection” — Radio Times
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The game is developed by Konami and Evil Empire.
- Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha, is the protagonist.
- Both reviewers judge the game favourably overall.
- Both find the lead character underdeveloped and the supporting cast stronger.
Where accounts differ
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How well the game's challenge and bosses work
- Centre
- Screen Rant calls it tough enough to make progression exciting, though easier as Rose levels up, and finds the bosses memorable. Radio Times finds combat easy at first and many bosses lacklustre, a dodge-hit cycle.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse product
Reviewers present the game as a well-received, flawed but fun return for the series, led by Rose Belmont.
“Most of it works, though, and most of what works really works.” — Screen Rant
“creating a game well worthy of Castlevania's 40th anniversary” — Radio Times
North America1 outlet
Screen Rant stresses the game's mix of influences and calls it exciting and fun despite not matching Symphony of the Night.
“It's not Symphony of the Night, but it's still beautiful.” — Screen Rant
Screen Rant
UK and Ireland1 outlet
Radio Times frames the game around Evil Empire's Dead Cells pedigree and the series' 40th anniversary, and gives the release date.
“Evil Empire was the obvious choice to bring the series back” — Radio Times
Radio Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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Screen RantN · · Opinion
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Review - Drac Is Back In Bloody Good Fashion
Sympathetic Enthusiastic review praising the game's fluid hybrid design and art while criticising the lead character's writing and the soundtrack's lack of memorable melodies.
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Radio TimesN · · Opinion
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review – A triumphant resurrection
Sympathetic Positive review that admits a disappointing start and dull bosses but lauds exploration, puzzles and the return of the series.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 13 Oct 08:00 First Screen RantN Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Review - Drac Is Back In Bloody Good Fashion Opinion
- 13 Oct 08:00 +1m Radio TimesN Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review – A triumphant resurrection Opinion
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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