Image credit: KONAMI
Konami has confirmed that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse will not be a roguelite, despite being developed by studios best known for their roguelite titles. Instead, the game will feature handcrafted maps and a more traditional action-exploration design.

Castlevania: Belmont‘s Curse Announcement Trailer (ESRB) | KONAMI
TL;DR — Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse key details
  • Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse will not be a roguelite.
  • The game features handcrafted maps and a traditional 2D action-exploration structure.
  • It is developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin, known for Dead Cells.
  • The story takes place in 1499 Paris, featuring a successor to Trevor Belmont.
  • Planned release: 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

Development Origins and Launch Expectations

Belmont’s Curse is co-developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the studios behind the highly successful roguelite Dead Cells. Evil Empire also worked on The Rogue Prince of Persia, another action platformer built around roguelite mechanics.

The studios’ involvement initially led many fans to expect procedurally generated runs similar to Dead Cells, but it now appears the new game will follow a structure closer to the traditional Castlevania formula.

Konami Confirms the Game’s Structure

Tommy Williams, Konami’s head of communications, told The Verge that: “It is not a roguelike or roguelite game.”

Image credit: KONAMI

He described Belmont’s Curse as a “2D Action-Exploration game where players can freely explore vast, elaborately crafted maps.”

By focusing on handcrafted maps rather than procedural runs, the developers are returning to the series’ roots.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Story and Setting

The game is set in 1499 Paris, where monstrous creatures suddenly emerge from the shadows. Players will take control of a currently unnamed successor to Trevor Belmont.

The setting promises a darker reinterpretation of late-15th-century Paris, filled with supernatural threats.

The protagonist has access to the iconic Vampire Killer whip, as well as other tools and abilities focused on smooth movement and acrobatics.

Platforms and Release Window

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is planned for release in 2026 for:

PlatformStatus
PC (Steam)Confirmed
PlayStation 5Confirmed
Xbox Series X|SConfirmed
Nintendo SwitchConfirmed

A native Nintendo Switch 2 version has not yet been confirmed.

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Why the Clarification Matters

Some fans have been worried that bringing roguelite-specialized developers might result in abandoning the core formula of the series.

Others were curious how the Dead Cells developers would interpret Castlevania gameplay, especially after the Return to Castlevania DLC offered a glimpse of how the developers might approach the franchise.

The confirmation reassures fans that Belmont’s Curse will deliver a more traditional 2D Metroidvania experience.

While details remain limited for now, the combination of seasoned indie developers and a return to classic Castlevania gameplay has already sparked significant buzz across the fandom. Heading into the 2026 launch, all signs point to a triumphant return for the Belmont bloodline.