Castlevania: Belmont's Curse verdict: an 85, a perfect 10 from GameSpot, and a rough PC launch
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse averages 85 on OpenCritic, with a 10 from GameSpot. What critics praised, what they didn't, and the launch problems on PC.
Stated by the maker, publisher, or platform holder.
Konami's new Castlevania is out, and critics like it a lot. Castlevania: Belmont's Curse launched on 15 October on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Switch, priced at $29.99. It comes from Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the teams behind Dead Cells, and stars a new hero, Rose Belmont.
The headline is a strong average and one perfect score. The small print is that the PC version had a rough first week.
What's confirmed
What critics praised
The movement and the fights. GameSpot's 10/10 review says it "feels destined to be regarded alongside Symphony of the Night," the 1997 game every Castlevania since has been measured against. It singles out a parry that works separately from your attacks, a whip that doubles as a grappling tool, and boss fights built around inventive mechanics.
Other reviews land in the same place. TechRadar called the platforming and level design the standout, with a grappling whip and air dash that make backtracking worth doing. Nintendo World Report gave it 7.5 and called it a strong step forward for the series, praising the whip swinging, the bosses and the range of spells.
What they didn't
The criticism is mostly that it's very good at a familiar formula rather than doing anything new with it. Push Square gave it a 7 and called it "a perfectly good game that isn't really doing anything wrong." It also found the movement and combat slow to get going, the grapple slow to wind up, and some bosses sharply harder than the rest.
Siliconera gave it a 7 and said it often feels like it's ticking genre boxes. It also pointed to fast travel arriving late and enemies that respawn when you save. Nintendo World Report found the long gaps between save rooms and fast-travel points made exploring a chore.
The launch problems
These are player and reviewer reports rather than confirmed bugs, so check the latest patch notes before you buy.
Should you buy it
On PS5 or Xbox: yes, if you like the genre. That's where the reviews are strongest, and $29.99 is a low price for a game critics are comparing to the series' best.
On PC: wait for a patch, or check recent Steam reviews first. The game underneath is the same one critics loved; the problems are with how it runs.
On Switch: it's the weakest version by both score and performance. Pick another platform if you can.
It's out a month before GTA 6, and at a fraction of the price, it's an easy one to finish before November.