Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is coming to PS5 in 2026

Konami has announced Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a new 2D action-platformer developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the studios behind Dead Cells. The game is set to release on PlayStation 5 in 2026.

The trailer for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse showcases Trevor Belmont in a stylized adventure that appears to blend the intricate level design and combat mechanics of Dead Cells with the classic gothic atmosphere of the Castlevania series. The announcement was made during a PlayStation State of Play presentation, highlighting the game's PS5 debut. The game's narrative is set in France and promises a return to the Metroidvania roots that defined much of the franchise's legacy.

A Familiar Partnership

Evil Empire and Motion Twin are no strangers to the Castlevania universe, having previously collaborated with Konami on the highly successful Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC. This prior experience seems to have paved the way for a full-fledged new entry in the series. Konami, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Castlevania, is clearly leaning into the genre's modern masters to revitalize the franchise. The original Castlevania games, starting with the 1986 release on the Famicom Disk System, established the side-scrolling action-platformer formula that would go on to influence countless games. Later entries, particularly Symphony of the Night, cemented the Metroidvania subgenre alongside Super Metroid.

The trailer emphasizes fast-paced combat and exploration, with glimpses of interconnected areas and challenging boss encounters, including a formidable werewolf. The visual style appears to be a refined version of the hand-drawn aesthetic seen in Dead Cells, adapted to capture the dark fantasy world of Castlevania. The mention of Trevor Belmont, a key figure in the series who first appeared in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989), suggests a narrative that could tie into the franchise's extensive lore.

The Curse Continues

While the trailer does not offer specific gameplay details beyond what's expected from a collaboration between these studios, the implications are clear: expect a challenging, rewarding experience with deep combat and exploration. The game is slated for a 2026 release, giving fans ample time to anticipate what promises to be a significant new chapter for the Castlevania saga. It's always interesting to see how established IPs are handled by developers who have clearly demonstrated their passion and skill in the genre, and this partnership feels like a natural fit. The price point and specific release date within 2026 are yet to be announced, but the confirmation of a PS5 release is a solid starting point.

The partnership between Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin is a promising sign for the future of Castlevania. With Evil Empire having taken over development support for Dead Cells from Motion Twin in 2019, their collaborative workflow is well-established. This new title represents a significant step beyond DLC, bringing a full-fledged new game to the beloved franchise. It will be fascinating to see how they interpret the gothic horror and intricate level design that fans have come to expect from Castlevania, especially when filtered through the lens of Dead Cells' addictive gameplay loop.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is poised to be a major event for fans of both the classic series and modern Metroidvanias. The prospect of exploring a dark, dangerous France as Trevor Belmont, with the gameplay sensibilities of Dead Cells, is certainly compelling. As Konami continues to explore its back catalog, this collaboration with Evil Empire and Motion Twin feels like a direct response to the community's desire for more high-quality Castlevania experiences.