Konami announced a brand new Castlevania adventure during the latest PlayStation State of Play, subtitled Belmont’s Curse. While it’s fantastic to see the series back in the spotlight, what’s more exciting is the development team behind this new arrival.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is actually a three-way co-development project, with work contributed by Konami, as well as the two studios responsible for the award-winning side-scroller Dead Cells, Evil Empire and Motion Twin.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse announced – quick links
Evil Empire and Motion Twin already had a strong working relationship with Konami
Evil Empire and Motion Twin handling a new Castlevania makes plenty of sense.
First, a quick history lesson. In 2017, Motion Twin released Dead Cells into early access, which contributed to major success for the studio. The game was roundly praised for its side-scrolling action and sense of fluidity, as well as how it adapted the ‘Metroidvania’ style of gameplay, popularised in the original Castlevania and Metroid games.
Years on from launch, Dead Cells became regarded as a modern classic. Motion Twin had achieved enough success to grow significantly, and to split off into a separate studio – Evil Empire – which would handle new Dead Cells developments, while Motion Twin moved onto its next projects.
The success of Dead Cells eventually caught the attention of Konami, who agreed to a collaboration to introduce Castlevania-inspired DLC for the game. At the time, Evil Empire called the pack a ‘love letter to the granddad of Dead Cells.’
It appears Konami was pretty thrilled with the DLC and its reception, because it has now corralled Evil Empire and Motion Twin to work on the next mainline Castlevania game – the first all-new adventure in more than a decade.
What to know about Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
As announced, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse represents a new beginning for the tenured franchise. Inspired by the classic gameplay style, it will see the successor of Trevor Belmont charting a mysterious castle to defeat all manner of beasts, and attempt to save their town from darkness.
Here’s the official plot description, per Konami: ‘The game is set in 1499 Paris, a city attacked by monstrous creatures suddenly emerge from the shadows. Armed with the legendary holy whip, the Vampire Killer, Trevor Belmont’s successor ventures into the burning streets and the looming castle to hunt down the beasts.’
A first trailer for the game has shown off classic Metroidvania-style traversal, with the newest Belmont leaping up and across cloistered corridors to forge a path forward and occasionally, run into towering, terrifying monsters in need of a swift stake to the heart.
Players can use their whip to take down these beasts, as well as to traverse terrain. The new Belmont will also have access to a sword, which offers power attacks, and other tools that should have an explosive impact.
As announced, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is set to launch in 2026, so there’s not long to go before you’ll be able to get hands-on with the new adventure.
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