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Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse launched on October 15, 2026, with a split reception: Steam’s launch-day user snapshot was “Mixed,” while the critic aggregate reported by GamesRadar stood at 86 on Metacritic. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Steam.
Why Steam lists Belmont’s Curse as “Mixed”
Valve’s Steam snapshot recorded 59% positive ratings from 670 user reviews on October 15, 2026. That proportion places the game in Steam’s “Mixed” category, but it is a moving launch-day measure rather than a permanent verdict. As more players review the game—and as updates, discounts or completed playthroughs change sentiment—the percentage and review count can shift.
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The available launch evidence does not identify one confirmed technical defect, performance problem or other single cause for the label. It is therefore more accurate to describe “Mixed” as a division in player opinion than to attribute it to a specific bug or to claim that a patch is scheduled.
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How user sentiment compares with critic scores
The Steam snapshot contrasts with the broader critical response. GamesRadar reported a Metacritic score of 86 after 45 critic reviews in 2026, with only eight of those reviews marked Mixed. That comparison suggests a gap between professional reviews and early user ratings, not that either group is inherently more reliable.
#1 Best Overall
- Classics that defined the Castlevania series.
- Includes the "History of Castlevania - Book of the Crescent Moon" ebook.
- This includes eight classic Castlevania games preserved on one disc with a full-color manual.
- The Castlevania Anniversary Collection on physical disc for the PlayStation 4. Also works on PlayStation 5. Region-free.
Critics generally praised the game’s atmosphere, movement and exploration. Serena Cherry’s GamesRadar review of the PS5 version, played with publisher-provided code, called it “Beautiful and challenging” and highlighted its gothic world, puzzles, enemies and storytelling as an energetic continuation of the Belmont legacy.
What the game is
Belmont’s Curse is an exploration-focused 2D action game developed jointly by Konami and Evil Empire, with advisory help from Motion Twin. Its story takes place in Paris in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. Rose Belmont, Trevor Belmont’s daughter, wields the Vampire Killer whip while investigating a gothic version of Paris and Dracula’s Castle.
The structure emphasizes searching rather than simply moving from one linear stage to the next. The map covers Parisian districts and the castle, with hidden items, cryptic clues, puzzles and rewards that make revisiting earlier areas part of progression.
Rank #2
- Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse | Night One Edition includes: Main Game, Alucard Style Costume, Digital Sound & Art Gallery, Trevor Style Costume, Sypha Style Costume, and Family's Grace (Relic).
- Medieval Paris, Where the Tolling Bells Herald the End - 1499: Paris is engulfed in flames as 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. Can they save the city from the brink of destruction?
- Satisfying Whip Action - The iconic whip of the series is now more important than ever! Crack your whip to move around freely like a trapeze artist! Master the whip mechanics and be creative to pounce on your prey like a wolf in fast-paced combats!
- A Large Selection of Weapons and Abilities - The whip is not the only tool at your disposal. You will need to strategically plan your next move in combat and make full use of all the weapons and abilities to stand a chance!
- Environment Hazards That Will make you grit your teeth - Biomes are packed with secrets, traps and puzzles. It is not just about muscles, it's about brains too!
Where the praise is strongest—and where it is not
Exploration, puzzles and secrets
GamesRadar described a large map, concealed items and clues that ask players to interpret their surroundings. TechRadar likewise praised the extensive secrets and the way backtracking can reveal additional rewards. Players who enjoy mapping interconnected areas and returning after gaining new abilities are the clearest fit.
Combat and traversal
Fast traversal and precise platforming are central to the experience. The same precision creates a demanding difficulty curve: mistimed jumps and poorly judged encounters can be costly, especially in areas built around hazards.
Bosses and navigation
GamesRadar listed bosses that can be difficult to locate and limited fast-travel options among the game’s drawbacks. Those design choices reinforce the exploration focus, but they can also make a first playthrough feel slower when the next objective is unclear.
Rank #3
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Traps and accessibility
TechRadar warned that one-hit-kill traps may frustrate players. It also noted accessibility settings including thicker character and environment outlines, a colorblind mode, subtitles and voice-overs. These options can improve readability and comprehension, although they do not remove the underlying platforming challenge.
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The gothic visual presentation was widely viewed as a strength, while GamesRadar found the soundtrack underwhelming. That contrast matters for players who consider classic Castlevania-style music a major part of the appeal.
How long is it?
TechRadar’s reviewer reported approximately 16 hours with the base PS5 version. That is one reviewer’s playtime, not an official completion-time guarantee: exploration habits, secret hunting, difficulty and time spent solving puzzles can all change the total. The reviewer also reported that a save from the demo transferred to the full game.
Rank #4
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Which edition should you buy?
Konami announced three launch configurations. The Digital Standard Edition contains the base game. The Digital Midnight Edition and Physical Midnight Edition add the same core digital bonuses, while the physical version also includes packaging-related extras that depend on region and stock.
| Edition | Included content | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Standard | Main game | Players who want the lowest-content digital purchase |
| Digital Midnight | Main game; Digital Sound & Art Gallery with 71 tracks; Trevor and Sypha-style costumes; Family’s Grace relic | Players who want the digital bonuses without a disc or cartridge |
| Physical Midnight | Main game; Digital Sound & Art Gallery with 71 tracks; Trevor and Sypha-style costumes; Family’s Grace relic; early-purchase Alucard-style costume | Collectors and players who prefer a physical copy |
Konami also said selected EMEA retailers could include an exclusive SteelBook and tarot card with the Physical Midnight Edition. Those items are retailer-, region- and stock-dependent, so buyers should verify the listing for their country before ordering. Confirm the platform as well: edition names and physical availability can differ by territory.
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It is a reasonable launch purchase for players who value demanding 2D movement, interconnected exploration, gothic environments, puzzle solving and optional secrets. The critic score of 86 indicates strong professional reception, while the Steam result shows that not every player is enjoying the same design decisions.
Best Value
- LIMITED EDITION: Official Limited Run Games release #251 of the Castlevania Dominus Collection featuring Order of Ecclesia cover art for Nintendo Switch
- GAME FORMAT: Physical DVD-ROM release, not a digital download, packaged in standard Nintendo Switch game case
- CONTENT: Action-packed collection of classic Castlevania games, rated T for Teen by ESRB
- PACKAGING DIMENSIONS: Comes in standard Switch case measuring 6 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 2 inches deep
- REGION AND LANGUAGE: US release with English language support, compatible with Nintendo Switch systems
Consider waiting for more user reviews if you dislike backtracking, one-hit-kill traps, hard-to-find bosses or limited fast travel. The soundtrack may also disappoint listeners expecting it to be a standout feature. Conversely, accessibility options, a substantial map and a reported 16-hour PS5 playthrough provide practical reasons to choose it now if those strengths match your preferences.
What the launch data does—and does not—prove
- The 59% positive Steam figure and 670-review count describe the October 15, 2026 snapshot only.
- The Metacritic score of 86 was reported after 45 critic reviews; later reviews can change the aggregate.
- Neither the Steam label nor the available reviews establish one universal technical cause for player dissatisfaction.
- There is no confirmed patch schedule in the available launch information.
- Retailer bonuses for the physical edition require separate verification by region and stock.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Belmont’s Curse is a critically well-received but demanding exploration game. Steam’s “Mixed” label reflects an early, changeable user snapshot—59% positive from 670 reviews on October 15, 2026—rather than a settled judgment on the game’s quality.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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