A major highlight from last month’s State of Play was the announcement of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, a new 2D action-exploration title from Konami, developed in collaboration with Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the creators of Dead Cells. It’s worth noting that Evil Empire also contributed to the acclaimed Rogue Prince of Persia, which will receive additional content updates later this year.

Information about Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse has been limited since its impressive debut trailer, revealing that the game is set to launch on PC via Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch in 2026, though a version specifically for Switch 2 remains unconfirmed. Recently, Tommy Williams, Konami’s head of communications, clarified that Belmont’s Curse will not be a roguelite experience, despite the developer’s reputation for creating popular games in that genre.

Williams provided insights on March 4th, describing Belmont’s Curse as “a 2D action-exploration game where players can freely navigate extensive, intricately designed maps.” This clarification was important for fans who were uncertain about the game’s format, as Williams emphasized, “It is not a roguelike or roguelite game.”

While it’s unclear why Konami didn’t initially specify that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse wouldn’t adopt roguelite mechanics, the confirmation is reassuring for longtime fans looking forward to a traditional 2D gameplay experience later this year. Nonetheless, the concept of a roguelite iteration of Castlevania, especially with the talent behind it, could have been intriguing.

Set in 1499 Paris, the game features a protagonist who succeeds Trevor Belmont as monstrous creatures begin to emerge from the darkness. This character will wield the iconic Vampire Killer whip among other tools and abilities, emphasizing fluid movement and acrobatics. The anticipation is palpable as we eagerly await further details and the opportunity to play.