by Gamatroid 🕹️
Yesterday, during Sony's State of Play on February 12, 2026, Konami dropped a bombshell for fans of the long-dormant Castlevania series: Belmont's Curse, a brand-new 2D action-exploration game set to launch in 2026 across multiple platforms.
This marks the first major original Castlevania title from Konami in over a decade, timed perfectly for the franchise's 40th anniversary.
The game is set in 1499 medieval Paris, a city plunged into chaos by monstrous creatures emerging from the shadows under a mysterious "Crimson Curse." Players control a young female Belmont, depicted with blonde/reddish hair, a blue outfit, and a braided ponytail, who is the successor to Trevor Belmont (at first I thought Trevor had just really grown his hair out, but then I read that this was a female successor). Armed with the iconic Vampire Killer whip, she must traverse burning streets, uncover secrets in a looming gothic castle, and battle beasts to save the city from eternal darkness.
The narrative takes place 23 years after Castlevania: Dracula's Curse (aka Castlevania III), tying directly into the classic timeline. Fans speculate the protagonist could be Trevor and Sypha Belnades' daughter (from the Netflix animated series), which could make sense in order to tie it to the most recent stories told in the larger Castlevania universe.
For anyone wondering, this is not the first time a Castlevania game starred a playable female character, and not even the first female Belmont. Castlevania Legends on GameBoy (1998) starred Sonia Belmont, who predates Trevor in the Castlevania timeline.
Then Castlevania Order of Ecclesia on Nintendo DS (2008) starred Shanoa, a member of the Ecclesia order battling Dracula's forces of evil.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse looks to be a stylized 2D "Igavania" (Metroidvania-style exploration-action game, like Symphony of the Night), emphasizing fluid whip combat and platform traversal.
The
game is being developed and published by Konami, along with Evil Empire
(lead developer known for its work as co-developer on the Dead Cells' DLC, including "Return to Castlevania", and The
Rogue Prince of Persia), and Motion Twin (advisory role; Dead Cells
creators).
Evil Empire's expertise in roguelite action-platformers would seem to make them a perfect fit for reviving Castlevania's 2D legacy.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is being developed for all PC and console platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam). Sorry mobile and Mac users, you're going to have to sit this one out.
As far as a release date, all we know right now is that it says it's coming this year.
Key gameplay features mentioned so far include:
- Whip mastery: The Vampire Killer isn't just for fighting; swing across gaps like a trapeze artist, strike from unique angles, and access hidden areas.
- Weapons and abilities: A large arsenal including swords for close-range power, spells, and tools for strategic combat against colorful foes. (the famous boomerang cross is shown in the trailer gameplay)
- Exploration focus: Vast biomes packed with secrets, deadly traps, puzzles, breakable walls (revealing items like meat), and challenging platforming (which you'd expect at this point from any competent Metroidvania).
The cinematic reveal trailer sets a haunting tone with orchestral music (I think they should have used a heavy metal version of Bloody Tears to hype it up - but maybe that's just me), showing Paris in flames, the protagonist whipping through castles, boss teases (vampires, werewolves), and gothic horrors.
A voiceover invokes "Trevor Belmont, last of House Belmont," (which was what initially made me think you play as Trevor) before cutting to the young heir in action. Quick cuts hint at fluid combat, swinging traversal, and epic environments amid crimson skies.
You can watch the reveal trailer in the YouTube video below from Konami:
This revival looks to properly honor 40 years of vampire-slaying while innovating with Dead Cells-level polish.
Release day can't come soon enough.