Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Hands-On: Old-School Charm Meets Modern Competition

We went hands-on with Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, the first side-scroller in 13 years. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's a satisfying return to form.

Remember when Castlevania was all about whipping your way through hordes of monsters in a side-scrolling adventure? It's been 13 years since we got one of those, and now Belmont's Curse is here to bring it back. But in a world where Metroidvanias are a dime a dozen, does it still hold up? We got our hands on it to find out.

First things first: Belmont's Curse doesn't try to shake up the formula. You play as a Belmont, you've got your trusty whip, and you're traversing a gothic castle filled with creatures that want to turn you into a snack. It's classic Castlevania, through and through. If you've played the old ones, you'll feel right at home. If you're new, well, this is a great starting point.

The combat is tight and responsive, just like you'd hope. Your whip has that satisfying crack, and the sub-weapons (axes, holy water, the works) are back to help you out. The level design is clever, too, with plenty of hidden rooms and secrets to find. It's not breaking new ground, but it doesn't need to. Sometimes you just want to slash through some skeletons and feel like a badass.

But here's the thing: the side-scrolling action genre has gotten crowded since we last saw a proper Castlevania. Games like Hollow Knight and Dead Cells have raised the bar for what players expect. So while Belmont's Curse is a solid entry, it doesn't quite reach those heights. The difficulty might feel a bit punishing for newcomers, and the story, while serviceable, isn't going to win any awards.

That said, if you're a fan of the series or just craving that old-school vibe, there's a lot to love here. The atmosphere is spot-on, with eerie music and detailed pixel art that captures the gothic horror vibe perfectly. And the boss fights? They're challenging but fair, and they'll have you learning patterns and feeling triumphant when you finally take them down.

So, is Belmont's Curse worth your time? Absolutely, if you're in the mood for some classic action. It might not raise the stakes, but it's a satisfying return to form that should keep you hooked. The question is: are you ready to pick up the whip again?

What do you think? Will you be sinking your teeth into Belmont's Curse when it drops? Let us know in the comments!