Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Has Launched, the Series’ First New Mainline 2D Game in Nearly 18 Years

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse released October 15, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, marking the franchise’s first major new console entry since Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 in 2014 and its first mainline 2D game since Order of Ecclesia in 2008.

Developed by Evil Empire with advisory help from Motion Twin, the Dead Cells studio, and published by Konami, the game arrives timed to Castlevania’s 40th anniversary.

A New Belmont, a Familiar Fight

The story is set in Paris, France, in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and 20 years after Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. Players control Rose Belmont, daughter of series hero Trevor Belmont and sorceress Sypha Belnades, as she ventures into the burning streets of Paris after Dracula’s castle manifests directly in the heart of the city.

Rose carries the Vampire Killer, the franchise’s legendary holy whip, which doubles as a grappling hook for swinging across environmental hazards, a mechanic first introduced in Super Castlevania IV. It’s a notable moment for the series too: Rose is the first female Belmont to headline a mainline, canon Castlevania game, following the decanonization of Sonia Belmont from the non-canon Castlevania Legends years ago.

Built by the Studio Behind Dead Cells’ Castlevania Crossover

Evil Empire and Motion Twin weren’t a random pairing for this project. The two studios previously worked with Konami on Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania, a crossover expansion that blended Dead Cells’ roguelite action with Castlevania’s cast and setting. Belmont’s Curse builds on that existing relationship, returning to the exploration-focused, non-linear design the series became known for with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night in 1997.

Visually, the game leans into the series’ signature gothic aesthetic while introducing a new cast of characters and expanded locations across Paris and the castle itself. The game carries an ESRB Teen rating for blood, violence, and mild suggestive themes.

Editions and Launch Notes

The Standard Edition runs $29.99, with a Midnight Edition also available, including alternate costumes for Rose, a Digital Sound & Art Gallery, and an in-game relic item. Anyone who pre-ordered or bought the game during its early purchase window also receives a bonus Alucard-style costume.

One early technical quirk worth flagging for PC players: some users have reported needing to lock their monitor’s refresh rate to 60Hz before launching the game, then switching back afterward, to avoid startup issues. It’s a minor workaround rather than a widespread blocker, but worth knowing if the game doesn’t launch cleanly on the first try.

Steam is also currently running a Castlevania Franchise Sale, bundling Belmont’s Curse together with past series entries and the Dead Cells crossover DLC for players looking to catch up on the series before diving in.

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