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TL;DR: Konami’s new Castlevania, built by the Dead Cells team at Evil Empire, launches October 15 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC. A free demo is already out on all four platforms, and your save carries over to the full game. Perfect weekend tambay material bago pa ang release.
Kung naabutan mo ang PS1 days, chances are may Castlevania memory ka. Maybe it was Symphony of the Night borrowed from a classmate, or a late-night session sa rentahan ng PlayStation. Or maybe you only met the Belmonts through Netflix’s animated series. Either way, magandang balita ito: after 12 years, a brand-new Castlevania is just five days away.
A new Belmont takes the whip
Belmont’s Curse is set in Paris in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. You play as Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who joins her father when demons overrun the city and Dracula’s castle rises right in the middle of it.
The game marks Castlevania’s 40th anniversary, and it’s the first traditional 2D entry in the original timeline since Order of Ecclesia back in 2008. Netflix fans will hear familiar voices too: Graham McTavish (Dracula) and Alejandra Reynoso (Sypha) reprise their roles from the animated series.
Made by the Dead Cells crew
Evil Empire leads development, with Motion Twin, the original creators of Dead Cells, advising. Both studios already worked with Konami on Dead Cells’ Return to Castlevania DLC, kaya hindi na sila bago sa mundo ng mga Belmont.
And no, this isn’t a roguelite. Konami has confirmed it’s a freeform exploration game like the classic entries, hindi run-based.
How it plays
Think Symphony of the Night, with modern polish:
- Non-linear map covering both Dracula’s castle and the streets of Paris, with save rooms and fast travel.
- Vampire Killer whip for fighting and for swinging across gaps, Super Castlevania IV-style.
- Arcana magic attacks that work like the series’ classic sub-weapons, plus several melee weapons to build around.
- 60fps on PS5, Xbox and PC; 30fps on Switch.
Previews are glowing
Hands-on previews from Eurogamer, IGN, Kotaku and PC Gamer came back overwhelmingly positive in July. GamesRadar went as far as saying it “already feels like a classic.” The common thread: it plays like a real Castlevania, not just one that looks the part, with that snappy Dead Cells feel in the combat.
Free demo: your weekend plan
The free demo has been live since October 1 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Steam. It covers the early stages of the game, and your progress carries over to the full version, basta same platform and same account ka, and you keep the demo save.
Bonus for Switch 2 owners: walang native Switch 2 version, but Nintendo Life reports the demo runs at a smooth 60fps on the new hardware.
Price and editions
On Steam PH, the Standard Edition goes for ₱1,445 and the Midnight Edition for ₱1,625 (US prices are $29.99 and $39.99). PS Store, Xbox Store and eShop prices may differ, so check your platform.
For just ₱180 more, the Midnight Edition adds Trevor- and Sypha-style costumes for Rose, a bonus relic called Family’s Grace, and a digital sound and art gallery with 71 tracks and over 100 artworks. Pre-order or buy early and you also get an Alucard-style costume.
At that price, mas mura pa sa karamihan ng AAA releases, so it’s an easy pick-up if the demo clicks with you.
Ikaw, kabayan, ano ang first Castlevania mo? Symphony of the Night sa PS1, the Netflix series, o ito na ang magiging una mo? Share it in the comments.
