While working through Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, I’ve become increasingly impressed by its soundtrack. Evil Empire has taken the series in a surprisingly relaxed direction, using a varied downtempo palette that feels closely connected to today’s lo-fi listening culture.
That choice gives the game a distinctive musical identity alongside its mechanics and visual design. The songs are atmospheric without becoming exhausting, making them easy to leave playing during a workday. They avoid the kind of relentlessly busy arrangement that can lodge itself in your head—although some classic Castlevania music is remarkably good at doing exactly that, such as the harpsichords blaring in the Long Library in Symphony of the Night.
Two of the newer soundtrack’s highlights are “Bone March,” which accompanies exploration of the Paris Catacombs, and “Iron Clock,” heard elsewhere during the journey.
The Talos boss encounter was a painful test, bringing plenty of hand strain along with the fight’s difficulty. Its music, however, is a different story: “Stone Tyrant” has a funky character that makes it one of the more enjoyable battle themes.
There is one major weakness in this otherwise appealing soundtrack: its handling of “Bloody Tears”. The composition is one of Castlevania’s defining musical signatures, with the same instant impact as “Dr. Wily’s Castle Theme” from Mega Man 2. These are the sorts of tracks that can make a listener want to charge straight through a wall.
Other arrangements understand that “Bloody Tears” needs force and momentum. Even the version from the Castlevania downloadable content for Dead Cells turns the melody into a genuine standout. Fans can also compare it with the “Bloody Tears” arrangement from an earlier release.
In Belmont’s Curse, the track feels restrained at precisely the wrong moment. It begins with the familiar sequence of notes, creating the expectation that the powerful section is about to arrive. Instead, when the buildup should pay off, the arrangement recedes almost completely.
The orchestral treatment removes much of the sharpness and urgency associated with the song. Rather than pushing the action forward, it slips into the background. That is a shame, because “Bloody Tears” should energise a confrontation with Dracula and make the player feel ready for the final battle.
The rest of Belmont’s Curse shows how effectively a quieter soundtrack can support exploration. But this particular theme needs a stronger punch. For readers exploring more of the arcade and retro-gaming scene, it is a useful reminder that a familiar melody can require a very specific treatment to work.
Whether you are planning a dedicated cabinet or a smaller setup, the right audio and control experience matter just as much as the game list. RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and range of arcade machines are useful places to start.
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