Castlevania: Belmont's Curse - Review Summaries & Scores | Overall Critical Reception

The Ranking

87.60%

Overall Rank: 1752 Score based on 20 Major Critics

Description

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X
Release Date: Oct 15, 2026
Genres: Action-Platformer
How Long to Beat? | 10 Minutes Boss Gameplay Video

Here are the critic reviews and scores that are explicitly available from the sources:

#	Critic	Score	Summary
1	Region Free	100	A masterfully crafted adventure that stands among the greatest Castlevania games ever made.
2	Atomix	95	Delivers nearly everything fans could want from a modern 2D Castlevania, raising the bar for the genre.
3	COGconnected	90	Excellent combat, exploration, and presentation make this a highly recommended return.
4	TrueGaming	90	Strong combat, traversal, and Arcana mechanics outweigh minor visibility and checkpoint issues.
5	GamingBolt	90	A polished Metroidvania with rewarding exploration and memorable boss encounters.
6	PlayStation Universe	100	A must-play title and one of 2026's standout releases.
7	ZTGD	90	Successfully modernizes the franchise while respecting its roots.
8	Niche Gamer	90	Outstanding world design and movement create an exceptional Metroidvania experience.
9	Everyeye.it	85	Smartly expands classic Castlevania foundations with modern mechanics.
10	Jeuxvideo.com	85	A worthy comeback for Dracula and the Castlevania franchise.
11	DualShockers	90	Proves that fresh ideas can coexist with traditional Castlevania gameplay.
12	TechRaptor	80	Deep exploration and satisfying combat are slightly held back by inconsistent difficulty.
13	Push Square	70	Strong visuals and level design, though it struggles to distinguish itself from genre competitors.
14	Nintendo World Report	75	Entertaining throughout, despite rough edges in exploration and respawn systems.
15	Game8	84	A gorgeous and polished resurrection that plays safe but remains highly engaging.
16	Rely on Horror	90	Captures the heart of classic Castlevania while introducing a compelling new protagonist.
17	GameSpot	100	A successful revival that delivers satisfying exploration and combat, even if it doesn't radically reinvent the Metroidvania formula.
18	CGMagazine	85	A confident revival that balances nostalgia and innovation effectively.
19	Shacknews	80	Strong combat and exploration make for a consistently rewarding adventure.
20	Game Informer	83	A successful reintroduction of the series with modern presentation and classic charm.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse - Overall Critical Reception

Category	Details
Overall Verdict	Highly Recommended
Critical Consensus	Critics widely agree that Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is the strongest 2D entry in the franchise in many years and a successful revival of the legendary series.
Biggest Strengths	Exploration, level design, whip-based traversal, atmospheric visuals, rewarding combat, and strong boss encounters.
Story Reception	Rose Belmont's journey and family-centered narrative received praise for adding more emotional depth than previous entries.
Technical Performance	Generally stable across platforms, with only minor complaints regarding visibility and responsiveness in certain situations.
Innovation	Arcana Cards, expanded traversal mechanics, and modern Metroidvania design were frequently highlighted as successful additions.
Common Criticisms	Some reviewers felt difficulty balancing, checkpoint placement, and a lack of genre-defining innovation prevented absolute perfection.
Visuals & Audio	Universally praised for gothic art direction, detailed environments, and atmospheric soundtrack.
Recommended For	Fans of Castlevania, Metroidvania enthusiasts, and players who enjoyed Dead Cells.
Aggregate Reception	Metacritic: 86/100 (Generally Favorable)