Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Received Massively Praised Reviews from Gaming Press

On October 15, Konami and Evil Empire will release Castlevania: Belmont's Curse—the latest installment in the iconic franchise. This will be the first game in the series since 2014, and judging by reviews from gaming critics, the developers seem to have captured players' attention.

Gaming journalists have already shared their opinions on Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, giving it fairly high ratings. The game has been praised for its authentic setting and level design, combat system, and boss battles, as well as the inclusion of checkpoints, which significantly simplify gameplay. Overall, critics agree that Belmont's Curse returns to the series' roots but doesn't offer any fresh ideas. The game’s current Metacritic score is 86, and its OpenCritic score is 85, with 97% of critics recommending the game. You can check out a few brief reviews from gaming media below:

PlayStation Universe - 100/100:

Exceptional in every way, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a one of 2026's must-play titles. In a year of great games, it's hard to stand out, but Evil Empire has crafted a bonified masterpiece in one of the game's most historic franchises.

Console Creatures - 90/100:

With a storied past, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse sets up the franchise for a bright (but also dark) future. Rose is a fantastic heroine with a deep, compelling story, and she wields some of the genre's most enjoyable combat mechanics. Add a few key accessibility options to make the game less punishing, and I think you have a standout title heading into the final months of 2026. Belmont's Curse is one of the best ways Konami and Evil Empire could have pushed the franchise and the genre forward.

MonsterVine - 90/100:

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a strong return to the franchise’s roots. The combat is excellent, the traversal feels fantastic, and player-driven exploration is a big part of why it works. The music is easily the weakest part, but it does not drastically diminish what is otherwise a near-perfect revival.

TheGamer - 90/100:

Even when Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse had me in Bloody Tears and praying for mercy, I never stopped grinning from ear to ear and jumping right back in to see what else was hiding in Dracula’s Castle. Thanks to an engaging story, stellar exploration and combat, and a near-perfect blend of new and old, Castlevania’s return just about makes up for the decade-long wait.

PSX Brazil - 85/100:

After an 18-year hiatus for the vampire-hunting series' traditional style, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse both slakes the thirst of long-time fans and offers an entry point for a new audience. It is an adventure that plays it safe—taking a somewhat understated approach to the Metroidvania elements and facing some limitations—yet its strengths ultimately shine through, making it well worth playing. Here's hoping Rose Belmont's journey breathes new life into the franchise's future—and that the current low-resolution textures get adjusted for 4K screens.

GamesRadar+ - 80/100:

Beautiful and challenging, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse offers a rich, gothic world of puzzles to solve and enemies to whip. With a stunning blend of fast-paced traversal action and compelling storytelling, this game proudly honours the Belmont legacy in exciting new ways.

Screen Rant - 80/100:

There's a lot here for Castlevania fans to enjoy, with everything from charming series staples to brilliant new ideas capable of sparking genuine joy. More than anything else, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is incredibly fun to play. At the end of the night, when Dracula is finally dead once more, isn't that what Castlevania is all about?

• GameSpot - 10/10
• Shacknews - 10/10
• CGM - 9.5/10
• DayOne - 9.5/10
• ZTGD - 9/10
• GAMINGbible - 9/10
• JeuxVideo - 8.5/10
• IGN - 8/10
• RPG Site - 8/10
• TechRadar - 8/10
• Push Square - 7/10
• VGC - 6/10

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse was announced this February during Sony's State of Play presentation. The game is a 2D Metroidvania-style action title set in medieval Paris, 23 years after the events of Castlevania: Dracula’s Curse and Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. The city is under demonic siege. You play as Rose Belmont, the daughter of vampire hunter Trevor Belmont, who must purge the city of evil to save it.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse launches tomorrow, on October 15, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.