New details for Castlevania Belmont’s Curse have emerged following its recent appearance at a Triple-I showcase, where gameplay footage was presented alongside a post-show developer interview. The project is being developed by Evil Empire in collaboration with Konami, with Motion Twin involved in an advisory capacity.
The game is described as a 2D action-adventure title, notably not a roguelike despite Evil Empire’s background with the genre. Development has required coordination between teams in France and Japan, with both sides adapting to differing workflows. As the team explained, “Learning how to adjust the way we work together… in the end it made the project stronger as a whole.”
Set in Paris, the game leans heavily into Gothic architecture and historical influences that align with the series’ tone. The developers initially explored Venice as a potential setting but moved away from the idea, citing concerns that its carnival aesthetic might feel overly exaggerated. Paris instead provides a grounded yet atmospheric backdrop, with the team noting, “Paris is a natural theater for a lot of Gothic architecture… it fits great with the Castlevania universe.”
Level design places a strong emphasis on vertical exploration, allowing players to navigate between streets, rooftops, and interior spaces. The city is intended to feel cohesive and alive, drawing inspiration from elements such as the Paris catacombs, urban myths, and medieval history. According to the developers, “We wanted to build the world in a way that made you feel that you were exploring a city.”
Gameplay pulls from multiple entries across the franchise, including Dracula’s Curse, Curse of the Darkness, Super Castlevania IV, and Symphony of the Night. A key focus is the modernization of whip-based combat, which aims to deliver more weight and responsiveness. As described by the team, “We definitely wanted to make it less wiggly and more modern, make it really impactful.”
On the narrative side, the resurrection of Dracula will serve as a central moment, with the developers aiming to present the familiar event in a new way. “We had to find a way to make it unique… and give the player something unexpected,” they said.
The team also acknowledged the expectations surrounding the project following its reveal. Early reactions have been described as strongly positive, though the developers admit to feeling pressure. “It was a great honor but also a lot of anxiety… we know that it was highly anticipated,” they added.
