Konami’s beloved Castlevania sequence is again within the headlines for the time being — season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne dropped on Netflix a number of weeks in the past (and, spoilers, it is excellent). However the hearsay mill is operating, and it is pointing in direction of a model new Castlevania sport.
Yesterday, Chinese language-based journalist and GamesIndustry.biz contributor Daniel Camilo has heard from “dependable sources” {that a} model new “AAA” Castlevania sport will probably be revealed this yr (together with a number of different notable sequence). And Portuguese web site GeekInOut has corroborated the rumours by way of its personal sources “with data of Konami’s plans”.
In fact, like all rumours, these needs to be taken with a wholesome pinch of salt. However with the success of the Netflix sequence, final yr’s Castlevania Dominus Assortment, and the return of quite a few Konami franchises — the Suikoden I & II remasters, Steel Gear Strong Delta, and final yr’s critically acclaimed Silent Hill 2 remake — tongues are wagging.
We all know Castlevania hasn’t essentially been “gone”, with Netflix largely selecting up the slack, and Konami often rewarding us with the odd Castlevania retro assortment — and so they’re all actually darn good. However, let’s be sincere, the final model new console Castlevania sport was 2014’s Lords of Shadow 2, and the Lords of Shadow sub-series in itself was a reasonably controversial change in path for the Belmont’s storied saga.
In any other case, the final “new” Castlevania sport we received was a remake of Haunted Citadel, included in final yr’s Dominus Assortment. The sequence has primarily been relegated to cameos and spin-offs, with Vampire Survivors‘ excellent Ode to Castlevania DLC and Useless Cells‘ personal Return to Castlevania DLC being the highlights.
11 years is a very long time to go with out a new entry, and we have made no secret about eager to see the Belmonts make their grand return. Heck, with nearly each single Castlevania sport truly playable on Change, we might even be blissful to see Symphony of the Evening get a port.
The factor is, simply how does Castlevania return in 2025? We’re positive, in case you’re studying this, you’d wish to see the franchise make a return, however Konami has taken the video games in a number of totally different instructions.
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The sequence began out as a side-scrolling action-platform one — with a short detour into some extra RPG-leaning mechanics for the second sport. Then there’s the leap to 3D on the N64, PlayStation 2, and Xbox period. And Lords of Shadow (made by Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread‘s very personal MercurySteam) took a extra character-action strategy.
However Castlevania these days is most well-known for birthing the Metroidvania style because of that aforementioned PS1 outing with Alucard. Expertise, stats, ranges, and tools had been added, in addition to an enormous interconnected map and tons of hidden secrets and techniques.
The style might be the most well-liked within the indie scene, and there is no scarcity of Castlevania-inspired Metroidvanias on the market; heck, even Koji Igarashi, the producer of many Castlevania video games, made his personal in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Evening. After which you’ve got the glut of retro-style platformers with punishing issue.
With Konami just lately revealing a 38% improve in earnings final quarter, what higher time to capitalise on its success than by bringing again one among its most beloved franchises? Notably with Nocturne being a success with followers.
We’ve got to acknowledge, after all, that there is no assure a brand new Castlevania will come to Change, significantly if the “AAA” suggests a graphically intense motion sport alongside the strains of contemporary God of Struggle. But when Konami decides to lean into the franchise’s roots, we could possibly be setting funds apart for a Change/Change 2 Castlevania title. Konami is apparently gearing as much as help the brand new Nintendo console; what higher method than with a brand new Castlevania?
So, what do you consider the latest Castlevania rumours? Do you need to see Castlevania make a return? And how do you need to see Simon, Richter, Trevor, Julius, and many others., make a comeback? Vote in our polls under and get discussing within the feedback.
