Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse was always a surefire hit in my mind. Developed by Evil Empire, which worked on Dead Cells DLCs, including the brilliant Return to Castlevania expansion, the project was in the right hands. Of course, I couldn’t be sure until it was released, but now that it’s out there, it might be one of the best Metroidvania games ever--and it’s certainly one of the best in the franchise. If you’re looking to give it a try, this Fanatical Mystery Chest bundle is your chance to get it for just a buck, so you don’t need to be coughing up money to play it.
The streets of Paris have been set ablaze, and monsters have taken over the city. You play as Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont, so the monster-hunting bloodline continues to deliver legendary hunters. Armed with magical tarot cards from her late mother and with a spring in her step as she tries to prove she’s worthy of the Belmont name, Rose explores Paris to uncover what’s happened, from the sewers to the towers and everything in between.
Unlike Dead Cells, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse sticks to the Metroidvania genre that was half-created by the original games. As you explore, you’ll find plenty of things blocking your path, with chests and potential upgrades teasing you into returning later. However, it doesn’t feel overly backtrack-y (is that a word?). Belmont’s Curse is well-paced, and it doesn’t feel like a chore to return to previous areas. If anything, it actually feels natural.
The combat is also brilliant, even if I suck at it (and I beat Elden Ring’s DLC before the final boss was nerfed, as an example of my gamer skill). Rose is quick, and as you explore, you’ll find a whole host of weapons that complement different playstyles. Prefer to stay at a distance? The Lance will come in handy. Or perhaps you want speed over damage, in which case the Cestus will help you send enemies into the air with a well-placed uppercut. When that happens, it feels like playing a side-scrolling Devil May Cry.
You’ve also got magic at your disposal. Those tarot cards aren’t just useful for investigating monsters (although they do that, too!), but they also let you absorb some bosses’ spirits, allowing you to use their powers to your advantage. Set the floor ablaze with a fiery sweep, or send a Holy Cross flying forward, knocking down the health of any enemy who dares to stand in your way. There’s a lot of freedom in choosing how you play the game.
I wish I could say my opinion was unique, but Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse has received critical acclaim across the board. Even our own Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse review awarded the game an impressive 10/10, with Steve Watts saying that it “feels destined to be regarded alongside Symphony of the Night as one of the best Castlevania games.”
If you’re hoping to give it a try, you can spend $1 / £1 on the Fanatical Mystery Chest bundle and, if you’re lucky, come away with a copy of Belmont’s Curse for a fraction of the price. Alternatively, you could get 25 chances for just $17.49 / £17.49, with each Chest granting you a Steam key. Even if you don’t win, which is highly likely, you’ll still walk away with plenty of games for your library. Or potentially another recent release, if you’re lucky.
Alternatively, you can skip the chance and buy Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse at its lowest price yet, with the game available for just $22.49 / £18.73 at Fanatical. That’s still a bargain for one of the best games of the year, so that’s a win in my books.
Honestly, whether you buy the game outright or win a copy with the Mystery Chest, you’re in for a great time. I envy you getting to play it for the first time.
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom. This story was created in collaboration with Fanatical’s deals team.