Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review – a comeback worth waiting for

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse marks Konami's revival of the beloved franchise, delivering a captivating Metroidvania-style experience set in 1499 Paris. As Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, players investigate evil forces while grappling with an inherited curse. The game introduces a variety of weapons, including swords, spears, gauntlets, and, of course, the iconic whip, enabling players to wield up to six healing potions and adjust difficulty settings.

With improved traversal abilities, such as sliding, double-jumping, and dashing, players can explore previously inaccessible areas and uncover secrets hidden within mirrors, traps, and dead ends. The inclusion of tarot cards allows Rose to absorb powers from defeated bosses, which can be upgraded through Works of Mercy and lead to the powerful Absolution spell.

The game features a compelling narrative with returning characters like Brauner, Carmilla, Medusa, Joan of Arc, Isaac, Dracula, and Sypha, as well as new elements like historical figures and a unique boss character. While Belmont's Curse is a triumph, some drawbacks include the absence of familiar sub-weapons, an overzealous hitbox, and slow recovery.

The game offers three endings depending on the choices made and hints at potential future DLCs and remakes as part of Konami's 40th-anniversary celebration.