There’s One Game Castlevania Fans Can Play Before Belmont’s Curse Comes Out

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The new Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse game is generating a lot of excitement, but it’s not the only Castlevaniainspired project on the horizon. While Evil Empire is working on a fantastic adventure within the Castlevania* universe, former developers are also finding success with games that explore the ongoing battle of the Belmont family against Dracula. Notably, a prequel to one such game, planned for release in 2026, demonstrates a deep appreciation for the series’ history and could offer fans another enjoyable experience soon.

Released in 2019, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was created as a spiritual successor to the beloved Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Developed by Koji Igarashi, a former lead on the original Castlevania games at Konami, Bloodstained benefited from the high expectations set by Symphony of the Night, which many fans consider the best Castlevania title ever made. The game started as a successful Kickstarter project and went on to receive excellent reviews. Its success has led to a sequel, and now a prequel is coming this year, continuing the legacy of the creators behind the most celebrated Castlevania games.

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Releases As Another Castlevania Successor In 2026

Scheduled for release in 2026, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is a new prequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, created by the same team. The game takes place in 16th century England and follows the stories of Leonard Brandon and Alexander Kyteler – a Church fighter and a knight, respectively. Together, these heroes will explore a mysterious castle and engage in strategic battles to test their abilities.

While clearly inspired by Castlevania, this game stands out by letting you play with a friend simultaneously as two characters, Leonard and Alexander. Set in a detailed 2.5D gothic world, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement expands the Bloodstained universe, offering longtime fans an origin story filled with rich lore – comparable to the depth of story found in the latest Castlevania title.

One of the things that makes the Bloodstained series so enjoyable is how beautifully detailed 3D characters fit into a 2D game world. The Scarlet Engagement builds on the style of classics like Symphony of the Night and Castlevania, adding new locations, enemies, and characters with the unique touch of Koji Igarashi. As a leading figure in the creation of modern Metroidvania games, Igarashi’s gothic setting in this prequel showcases the potential of that game design at its very best.

Developer ArtPlay’s History With Castlevania Will Make Bloodstained A Must-Play For Fans

Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement feels like a modern take on classic Castlevania games. Similar to how Hollow Knight and its upcoming sequel Silksong have shaped the Metroidvania genre, Bloodstained stays true to the RPG elements that originally made Castlevania stand out. It offers more ways to customize your character’s growth, with features like crafting and cooking quests that enhance their abilities throughout the game.

The prequel to Bloodstained adds cooperative gameplay, letting you and another player combine special attacks and abilities. The Scarlet Engagement feels like a classic Castlevania game with exploration and character customization, but with more emphasis on fast-paced, action-packed combat – almost like a beat-em-up.

ArtPlay’s new Bloodstained game shares a lot of what made Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse enjoyable. However, Bloodstained emphasizes magic and strategic combat, potentially offering players more freedom in how they tackle areas. Belmont’s Curse, on the other hand, is likely more straightforward and refined, but it might have fewer ways to fight enemies, aiming for a longer overall experience compared to Bloodstained.

Whether you prefer Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement or Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, both games offer a lot to excite Castlevania fans and suggest 2026 will be a great year for the series. Players can enjoy fresh experiences that still capture the feeling of the classic gothic games.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the latest Castlevania game and the Bloodstained prequel! Share your opinions in the comments below, or discuss them with other fans in the ComicBook Forum.

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2026-02-22 18:11