In 1986, the Nintendo Entertainment System featured the standout title, “Castlevania,” known for its monster-fighting action, challenging gameplay, and memorable soundtrack. Despite its success, the publisher, Konami from Japan, has kept the series dormant since its last new release in 2014.
Now, “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse” seeks to attract both new and existing fans by drawing inspiration from various chapters of the series’ history and indie games it has influenced. The game offers a revitalization of the series, blending classic 2D exploration with stunning artistic design, although its high difficulty level may pose a challenge for newcomers to the genre.
“Belmont’s Curse” introduces players to Rose Belmont, a monster hunter and the daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades from the 1989 game “Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse.” Set in 1499 Paris under attack by mysterious creatures, players navigate the city as Rose, who carries a curse inherited from her mother, risking a transformation into a mindless monster.
The game’s format, reminiscent of the beloved 1997 title “Symphony of the Night,” allows players to explore Paris and Dracula’s castle in a non-linear fashion, uncovering new abilities to access previously inaccessible areas. Combat involves using a whip for traversal and powerful attacks, with a blend of swords, lances, and other weapons adding variety.
While familiar enemies make a return, they are more agile and aggressive, requiring players to strategize and utilize their reflexes effectively. Additionally, trap rooms present challenging obstacles that demand precision and timing, enhancing the game’s difficulty level.
Exploration in “Belmont’s Curse” often involves backtracking through previously visited locations, which can be time-consuming and tedious due to limited save points and healing areas. Despite this, the game’s exceptional presentation and art direction, featuring vibrant color palettes and intricate level design, elevate the overall experience.
The game’s soundtrack, a mix of classical elements and modern beats, complements the gameplay, enhancing the immersive atmosphere. Voice performances, particularly by Abby Trott as Rose and JB Blanc as a key character, add depth to the narrative.
However, the Nintendo Switch version of the game experienced performance issues during the review period, including visual degradation, longer load times, and input delay. The Xbox Series X version provided a smoother experience, indicating potential improvements with a Day 1 update promised by Konami for all platforms.
Overall, “Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse” offers a nostalgic yet challenging gameplay experience, appealing to fans of the series and the Metroidvania genre.