Belmont's Curse Gameplay Overview: Combat, Arcana and Bosses

By Merrick Halstowe · Last updated: October 28, 2026

Short answer Belmont's Curse is a 2D action-exploration game built around whip traversal and combat, seven weapon families, relics and tarot-card Arcana earned from bosses. KONAMI describes the whip action, bosses, Arcana, weapons and relics; published reviews add detail on grappling, parrying and the Works of Mercy upgrade tasks. This page is an overview with sources, not a walkthrough.

How It Plays at a Glance

Each row is one claim about the game. Rows marked as official come from KONAMI's own page; the rest are reported by the named publications, and where sources disagree both versions are shown.

Combat and Movement

GameSpot, Nintendo Life and the PlayStation preview all single out combat. GameSpot calls it the best combat of any Castlevania and singles out a parry that runs on its own button, so Rose can attack and guard at the same time (GameSpot). Nintendo Life describes a blend of beat-'em-up commands and ninja-like agility, with the whip used constantly for swinging, sliding and dashing (Nintendo Life). A PlayStation preview adds that the dodge doubles as a slide, that a double tap flips backward, and that mana, recovered by defeating enemies, pays for spells and for healing (PlayStation Blog).

Weapon categories have their own feel: the preview describes a longsword that rewards attacking right after a backdash and short-range cestus gauntlets with fast combos that grow stronger as hits connect, while GameSpot highlights a lance that can be held or thrown. Which category suits you is a matter of taste; the sources describe styles, not a ranking.

Weapons, Relics and Arcana

KONAMI lists seven weapon categories and relics that trigger effects through offence or defence, and says defeated bosses become Arcana (KONAMI product page). GameSpot explains the loop: beat a boss, absorb its tarot card, then unlock extra power-ups for that spell through its three Works of Mercy tasks, some of which reward exploring or experimenting. Finishing all three also unlocks extra dialogue with that character.

Counts are less settled. GameSpot gives four weapons in each of the seven categories; Game Rant repeats that structure but states a total of 49, which does not equal seven times four. Game Rant also gives 15 spells and 44 relics, while data mined from the demo lists 40 relics and 16 Arcana. Treat every total as unconfirmed until KONAMI publishes one.

Bosses: Overview Only

KONAMI names Death, Medusa and Carmilla among its legendary bosses, alongside new ones such as Joan of Arc. GameSpot and Wikipedia say the first boss is The Fallen, whose defeat grants a boomerang-style axe spell and the grappling whip. GameSpot notes bosses need pattern recognition and calls some of them inventive, including one that moves the fight to a platforming section and another that limits how many hits Rose can take. Nintendo Life agrees there are genuine patterns to learn but finds the telegraphing of attacks unclear, so reviewers differ on how readable boss fights are.

KONAMI names Death, Medusa, Carmilla and Joan of Arc. Game Rant counts 13 bosses, or 16 with repeat encounters; the community wiki on Fextralife lists 14 bosses and 18 fights including rematches and a second Dracula form (Fextralife).

Exploration and Progression

The map is described as large and connected. GameSpot says the tarot deck doubles as signposting, puzzle clues and story, and that the game offers no extra navigation aids on purpose. GamesRadar+ found the clues cryptic enough that locating bosses took longer than fighting them. The PlayStation preview mentions destructible secret walls and clearly visible areas that stay out of reach until a skill is gained, and Wikipedia adds a large doorway that opens with keys earned from bosses.

Two details differ between sources. GamesRadar+ says enemies respawn only after the player dies, while Game Rant says they also return after resting at a Mirror of Life. Wikipedia reports mirrors as fast-travel points, and GamesRadar+ calls fast travel limited. Other sources describe the Ferryman and Mirror fast travel systems in more detail; see getting around in the route and boss overview. The route and boss overview lists each stage, boss and unlock with its sources.

Where to Read Next

• Difficulty, length and platform versions — Custom Mode, reported play times and Switch performance.
• NG+ and post-credits Resume — what happens after the credits.
• Belmont's Curse hub — release facts and the dated reception snapshot.
• Which Castlevania to play first — if you are choosing an older game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Belmont's Curse a roguelike?

No. PlayStation Blog quotes Konami's producer on returning to the series' core, and Wikipedia, citing IGN, reports that Konami said the game is not a roguelike or roguelite.

How many weapon types does Belmont's Curse have?

Seven categories according to KONAMI's product page. GameSpot reports four weapons in each category, which would make 28; Game Rant's total of 49 does not match that.

What are Arcana in Belmont's Curse?

KONAMI says defeated bosses are sealed into Rose's tarot cards and become Arcana, whose skills can be used as spells and special actions. GameSpot adds that each has three Works of Mercy tasks that unlock upgrades.

Can the whip be used to travel?

Yes. KONAMI compares whip movement to a trapeze artist, and GameSpot and Nintendo Life describe grappling onto anchor points and onto enemies.

Which bosses are in Belmont's Curse?

KONAMI names Death, Medusa, Carmilla and Joan of Arc, and sources name The Fallen as the first boss. Reported counts range from 13 to 14 bosses.