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Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse released on October 15, 2026, to a split reception. Steam’s launch-day snapshot showed 59% of 670 user reviews marked positive, producing a “Mixed” label. Critics were substantially more favorable: GamesRadar reported a Metacritic score of 86 from 45 critic reviews. The gap means Steam’s status reflects early player sentiment, not a consensus that the game is broadly poor.
Why Steam is showing “Mixed”
Steam’s rating is calculated from user reviews, and the captured October 15, 2026 snapshot recorded 59% positive reviews out of 670. Both the percentage and review count can change quickly as more owners play, complete the game and update their assessments. Treat the label as a launch-day temperature check rather than a permanent verdict.
The available critic aggregation is notably stronger. GamesRadar reported an 86 Metacritic score based on 45 critic reviews and said only eight of those reviews were Mixed. In other words, professional reviews generally praised the game while a sizeable portion of early Steam buyers remained unconvinced.
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What the game is
Konami launched the game on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Steam. Developed jointly by Konami and Evil Empire, with advisory help from Motion Twin, it is an exploration-focused 2D action game. The story takes place in Paris in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, and follows Rose Belmont, Trevor Belmont’s daughter, wielding the Vampire Killer whip.
#1 Best Overall
- 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!
Why critics have praised it
A large, secret-filled world
GamesRadar’s review describes a map that stretches across Parisian locations and Dracula’s Castle. Progress depends on interpreting cryptic clues, finding hidden items and revisiting areas as new routes open. TechRadar likewise highlighted extensive secrets and rewards for backtracking, making exploration a central part of the experience rather than a side activity.
Fast traversal and demanding combat
GamesRadar praised the combination of quick traversal, platforming action and storytelling, calling the result a strong continuation of the Belmont legacy. Its PS5 review characterized the presentation as a rich gothic world filled with puzzles and enemies to whip.
Rank #2
- 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
Accessibility options
TechRadar reports that the game includes thicker character and object outlines, a colorblind mode, subtitles and voice-over options. These settings can make visual cues and narrative information easier to follow, although they do not remove the underlying precision the game expects from players.
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High difficulty and instant-kill hazards
TechRadar called the game demanding and specifically warned that one-hit-kill traps can become frustrating. Precise platforming and combat are part of the intended challenge, so players looking for a forgiving action game should factor that in before buying.
Rank #3
- 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
Backtracking and limited fast travel
Exploration rewards revisiting earlier areas, but GamesRadar listed difficult-to-locate bosses and limited fast travel among the drawbacks. The design can feel deliberate for players who enjoy mapping a world and decoding clues, yet slow for anyone who prefers a guided route from one objective to the next.
Soundtrack concerns
Despite the strong gothic presentation, GamesRadar found the soundtrack underwhelming. That criticism is subjective, but it is the clearest negative assessment in the available reviews and may matter to longtime fans who place high importance on Castlevania music.
Rank #4
- 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.
How long is it?
TechRadar’s reviewer reported approximately 16 hours played on a base PlayStation 5 and confirmed that a save from the demo transferred to the full game. That is one reviewer’s experience, not an official completion-time estimate or a guarantee for every play style. Players who pursue secrets and optional discoveries may spend longer in the interconnected map.
Which edition should you buy?
| Edition | What is included | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Standard Edition | Main game | Players who want the lowest-cost entry and do not need bonus items |
| Digital Midnight Edition | Main game, Digital Sound & Art Gallery with 71 tracks, Trevor and Sypha style costumes, and the Family’s Grace relic | Players who want the digital extras and soundtrack gallery |
| Physical Midnight Edition | Everything in the Midnight Edition, plus a physical release; Konami also listed an early-purchase Alucard-style costume | Collectors and buyers who prefer a disc or cartridge package |
Konami said selected EMEA retailers could include an exclusive SteelBook and tarot card with the physical Midnight Edition, subject to local availability and remaining stock. Those items are not guaranteed with every physical copy, so confirm the retailer, region and platform before ordering. Also check whether an early-purchase costume is still available when you buy.
Best Value
- 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
Is it worth buying at launch?
Buy now if you want
- A challenging 2D action game built around exploration, puzzles and hidden routes.
- A large gothic setting connecting Paris and Dracula’s Castle.
- Accessibility controls for outlines, colorblind presentation, subtitles and voice-overs.
- Physical or digital bonus content tied to the Midnight Editions.
Wait or choose carefully if you dislike
- One-hit-kill traps and demanding precision platforming.
- Backtracking through areas with limited fast travel.
- Searching for bosses and interpreting cryptic clues.
- A soundtrack that may not match the series’ strongest musical standards.
The launch evidence does not identify one confirmed technical defect as the cause of Steam’s Mixed label, and no patch schedule has been established. The safest buying decision is therefore based on design preferences and edition contents, while remembering that user ratings may move as the audience grows.
Steam users versus critics at a glance
| Measure | Launch evidence | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Steam user reviews | 59% positive from 670 reviews, captured October 15, 2026 | Early owner sentiment; volatile |
| Critic aggregation | 86 Metacritic score from 45 critic reviews, as reported by GamesRadar | Broadly favorable professional response |
| Review split | GamesRadar said eight critic reviews were Mixed | Some criticism exists, but it is not the dominant critical position |
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is a demanding, exploration-heavy 2D action game with stronger critic scores than its early Steam rating. Buy at launch if you enjoy secrets, backtracking and precise platforming; otherwise, waiting for more user reviews may provide a clearer picture of how the player consensus develops.
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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