Castlevania: Belmont's Curse sees Dead Cells' devs bring back vampire whippage, and Konami say it's just the start of a revival

Cue somebody going HAM on an organ as "Trevor Belmont’s successor" swings past traps and slaps up monsters

Sharpen your fangs and chuck out all of the garlic bread in your house, Castlevania's back with a new game co-developed by the folks who made roguelike-Metroidvania Dead Cells. Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is the name of this fresh bout of vampire whippage set in medieval Paris, which publishers Konami have teased is just the first of many Castlevania things they have coming as the series turns 40.

Revealed during last night's PlayStation State of Play, Belmont's Curse has already been confirmed to be on its way to PC when it releases at some point in 2026. Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin - the latter two being the Dead Cells devs - sum its premise up as follows:

1499. Paris is engulfed 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. Will she succeed in saving Paris from devastation…?

Naturally, speculation's rife that this mysterious protagonist is Belmont and mage Sypha Belnades' daughter. Regardless, she'll be using the whip, a sword, and more weapons to be revealed down the line as she slices through colourfully-rendered gothic chambers, battling foes and searching for hidden secrets.

Konami have been quick to put their tease trousers on and declare in a post on Castlevania's 40th anniversary website that Belmont's Curse is just the first step in a wider revival of the classic series. "This year marks the 40th anniversary since the original ‘Akumajō Dracula’ first saw the light of day. In this commemorative year, 'Castlevania' will be revived," the publishers declared. "This is the beginning of numerous new products around Castlevania. Look forward to the return of the magnificent 'nightmare' lurking in the darkness."

If you're in need of convincing why Evil Empire and Motion Twin are great candidates for Konami to have gotten involved in this big vamprevival, at least in theory, here's an excerpt from Brendy's (RPS in peace) Dead Cells review:

In short, every little fracas is a trial of quickness, luck and body memory, and it feels superb. I could talk more about the daily challenge mode, or the new "malaise" that infects you when certain enemies strike, or whether or not the game counts as a “true metroidvania” (this is an argument that boils the collective piss of team RPS and will never be resolved). But I’m happier to just recommend it on the strength of its movement alone. Blisteringly fast when it needs to be, challenging without being frustrating, and packed with sharp, fatal toys, Dead Cells doesn’t keep you on your toes, it keeps you on your toenails.

If you're so inclined, you can wishlist Castlevania: Belmont's Curse on Steam right now.