gaming•Sun, September 6, 2026•5 min read

Konami's New Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Marks a Bold Return to Form

Konami is breathing new life into its legendary vampire-hunting franchise with 'Castlevania: Belmont's Curse.' Developed by Evil Empire, this upcoming title promises a return to core action-exploration roots, ditching roguelike elements in favor of a narrative-driven experience starring Rose Belmont.

A New Chapter for a Classic Franchise

After years of silence, the Castlevania franchise is officially rising from the grave. Konami has tapped Evil Empire—the studio known for its work on the critically acclaimed Dead Cells—to develop the 26th main entry in the long-running series, titled Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. The game is set to launch on October 15, 2026, bringing the gothic action-adventure series to modern consoles.

The collaboration is a natural evolution of a relationship that began with the 'Return to Castlevania' expansion for Dead Cells. Impressed by the team's ability to capture the essence of the series, Konami approached the studio to build a standalone project that would modernize the formula without sacrificing its identity.

Back to Basics: No Roguelikes Here

Despite Evil Empire's background in the roguelike genre, Belmont's Curse is firmly moving in a different direction. Konami producer Tsutomu Taniguchi and Evil Empire's creative director Emmanuel Nouaille have confirmed that the game will focus on freeform action-exploration. There is no permadeath and no procedural generation here—just a tightly designed, challenging experience that honors the legacy of the franchise.

Setting: Takes place in 1499, approximately 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
Protagonist: Features Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades.
Gameplay: A classic action-exploration platformer with a focus on combat, puzzles, and environmental hazards.
Availability: Coming to PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam).

We really wanted to capture the essence of the series. When we started discussing the game with Evil Empire, we said we’d like to go back to its core.
— Tsutomu Taniguchi, Konami Producer

Why It Matters

Belmont's Curse represents a pivotal moment for Konami. By selecting a developer with such a deep understanding of the 'Metroidvania' genre, the publisher is signaling a clear intent to respect the series' history while inviting a new generation of players into the fold. As the first of what Konami describes as 'multiple new Castlevania projects,' all eyes are on Rose Belmont to see if she can reignite the magic of the throne.

Key Takeaways

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse releases on October 15, 2026.
The game is developed by Evil Empire with advisory help from Motion Twin.
The story stars Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades.
The gameplay focuses on traditional action-exploration, explicitly avoiding roguelike elements.
This title is the first in a series of planned new projects for the franchise.

FAQ

When is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse being released?

The game is scheduled for release on October 15, 2026.

Which platforms will the game be available on?

It is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

Is this a roguelike game like Dead Cells?

No. Despite the developer's history with Dead Cells, Belmont's Curse is an action-exploration game with no permadeath or procedural generation.

Who is the main character in the game?

The game stars Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades.

How does the story fit into the timeline?

It is set in 1499, 23 years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.