Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Review Scores Revealed Ahead of Release

The first reviews for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse have arrived ahead of its October 15, 2026 release, with critics generally praising the game's combat, Gothic visuals, and return to the series' classic exploration-focused gameplay.

Developed by Evil Empire and published by Konami, the new installment marks the return of Castlevania's traditional side-scrolling adventures after more than a decade.

According to GamesRadar+, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse currently holds a Metacritic score of 86 based on 45 critic reviews, placing it among the higher-rated entries in the franchise.

Early reviews highlight the game's responsive combat, detailed environments, and challenging exploration. Critics have also praised the new protagonist, Rose Belmont, and the combination of traditional Castlevania mechanics with modern action-platforming features.

However, reception has not been entirely positive. Some reviewers have criticized the game's navigation, limited fast-travel options, and occasional uneven level design.

GamesRadar+ awarded the game 4/5, praising its puzzles and combat, while Video Games Chronicle gave it 3/5, arguing that its impressive presentation is not always matched by its gameplay.

The game takes place in Paris in 1499, following Rose Belmont as she confronts supernatural threats and uncovers secrets connected to her family's history.

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