I want to love the new Castlevania, but it just feels a little off

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse introduces a fresh take on the classic franchise, blending exploration and action with a new protagonist, Rose Belmont. The game’s visual design draws inspiration from the Netflix series, featuring familiar voice actors and a gothic aesthetic. However, technical hiccups, such as a black screen on high-refresh-rate monitors, mar the initial experience. The game’s performance also stumbles during cutscenes, where the framerate drops noticeably despite a 120 fps cap option.

The title’s ‘juice’—a term for responsive, polished feedback in gameplay—feels uneven, with some elements like hitstop and animation quality standing out positively. Yet, Rose’s whip mechanics introduce delays and imprecise controls, particularly during platforming sequences. The default controller bindings for phasing through walls add unnecessary friction, requiring rapid, error-prone inputs. These design choices clash with the game’s otherwise fluid combat and exploration.

Belmont’s Curse incorporates puzzles and platforming challenges that diverge from traditional Castlevania entries, offering a more cerebral approach. The tarot card system, which doubles as a weapon guide and boss tracker, is a standout feature, praised for its presentation and utility. The game’s pacing improves significantly after the Paris segment, with the introduction of Dracula’s Castle and its inventive mechanics. Despite these strengths, the inconsistent controls and technical quirks persist, tempering the overall experience.

The developer, Evil Empire, known for Dead Cells, appears to have deliberately avoided replicating that game’s style, yet the result feels disjointed. Some cutscenes rely on static artwork rather than animation, highlighting budget constraints. While Belmont’s Curse has moments of brilliance, its execution falls short of the high expectations set by its pedigree and the franchise’s legacy.