‘Castlevania Belmont’s Curse’ Gameplay Trailer Released with October Launch Date

Konami has officially unveiled ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’, a new 2D action game developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin. Set to launch on October 15, 2026, the game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The announcement was accompanied by a new gameplay trailer, providing fans with their first in-depth look at the latest installment in the iconic ‘Castlevania’ series. Published by Konami, this title marks a significant return to premium console and PC releases for the franchise.

‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’ is set 23 years prior to ‘Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse’, taking place in a medieval Paris overrun by demonic forces. The narrative follows a new member of the Belmont family who wields the legendary Vampire Killer whip to combat the monsters terrorizing the city.

According to Konami, the game emphasizes a blend of exploration, combat, and progression within a large interconnected world. The development team drew inspiration from earlier ‘Castlevania’ titles, particularly the Metroidvania-style gameplay seen in ‘Castlevania: Symphony of the Night’.

The gameplay trailer showcases fast-paced side-scrolling action, featuring players navigating through castle interiors and desolate city streets. The whip remains the primary weapon, now offering greater flexibility for both combat and movement, including swinging across gaps and accessing higher areas.

Developers have stated their aim is to recapture the classic essence of ‘Castlevania’ while modernizing the mechanics for today’s players. The game’s non-linear world allows players to explore various paths, unlock new areas over time, and revisit earlier locations with newly acquired abilities.

In its announcement, Konami emphasized that this game represents a significant step in the franchise’s revival in console development. The publisher has been revitalizing its major series in recent years, with ‘Castlevania’ being a key focus in that strategy.

Evil Empire, renowned for its work on ‘Dead Cells’, is spearheading development, while Motion Twin provides advisory support. The two studios previously collaborated with Konami on the ‘Return to Castlevania’ expansion for ‘Dead Cells’, which influenced the direction of this new title.

Production for the game began in 2022 after Konami greenlit a new wave of ‘Castlevania’ projects. It is also part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary celebration, commemorating the original ‘Castlevania’ release in 1986.

The story unfolds in 1499, shortly after the events of ‘Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse’, following a new Belmont hero who becomes embroiled in a conflict in Paris due to the sudden emergence of monsters and supernatural forces.

The Vampire Killer whip remains central to gameplay, utilized for both attacking foes and traversing the environment. Players can chain attacks, manage distance in combat, and use the whip to navigate gaps or reach new areas.

The game adopts a classic exploration format, allowing players to traverse interconnected zones, battle enemies, and unlock abilities that grant access to new paths. Save rooms and fast travel points are included as part of the design.

Konami confirmed that ‘Belmont’s Curse’ will not incorporate roguelike systems, instead focusing on a meticulously crafted action-exploration experience. The development team aims to balance modern design elements with the traditional identity of the series.

The gameplay footage highlights boss battles, environmental hazards, and new enemy types. Combat appears faster and more fluid than previous entries, emphasizing movement and timing.

According to the developers, the project is crafted to feel familiar to long-time fans while remaining accessible to newcomers. It builds on concepts from earlier ‘Castlevania’ games while introducing updated systems and visuals.

‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse’ is set to launch on October 15, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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