Compare Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse vs Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2

Crashes and freezes affect a handful of playthroughs. Reports include repeated Switch crashes and two freezes on PS5 Pro.

One PC and ROG Ally playthrough completed without crashes or other stability problems.

Rose’s growth and vulnerability give her arc emotional weight for many. Others see a determined heroine who changes too little or remains an underdeveloped archetype.

Both protagonists lack the development and narrative presence some players hoped a two-hero sequel would provide.

Checkpoint spacing is one of the most disputed design choices. Distant save rooms can mean tiring runbacks, while optional boss-door respawns considerably reduce frustration.

Checkpoints generally limit lost progress and make retries feel fair rather than frustrating.

PC graphics options are criticized as sparse or absent, leaving little room to recover performance beyond changing resolution.

Adjustable presentation options let players tune the look from chunky retro pixels toward a cleaner appearance.

Flashes and impact effects can overwhelm the screen or feel distracting. These touches do not work equally well for players who value restrained, readable action.

Lighting, explosions, and meaty impact effects help sell the spectacle and weapon power.

Franchise callbacks and ties to earlier events reward familiarity with Castlevania’s history. French historical references add another layer of interest.

The setting offers dense franchise flavor, but little new lore. Heavy jargon can make the narrative harder to follow without background knowledge.

The game can look striking in motion, but character models and image clarity receive mixed reactions. Nintendo versions draw repeated complaints about blur and low resolution.

Sharp pixel art, expressive enemies, and varied environments create striking visuals despite the deliberately old appearance.

Rose’s curse and her captured companions give the adventure more story presence than many expected. Reactions split over predictability, excessive explanation, and a tone that can feel more anime than gothic.

The thin story usually serves as a quick excuse for combat. Some welcome that restraint, while others miss context, character motivation, and a satisfying narrative payoff.

Some players can read attacks clearly even in hectic fights, while others lose track amid projectiles and effects. That split matters in a game built around precise defensive timing.

Crowded arenas, bright effects, poison attacks, and large flames can obscure threats. Some find the spectacle readable, but others find it exhausting or difficult to parse.

Enemy variety is disputed: familiar monsters delight some players, while others tire of recolors and repeated types. Combat combinations sometimes compensate for the smaller roster.

Forces from all four Chaos gods broaden the bestiary and keep many fights fresh. Some feel the expanded roster still behaves too similarly.

Some see a distinctive identity, but many feel the game borrows too safely from established Metroidvanias. A competent revival does not always feel like a new benchmark.

A modern twist on nostalgic shooting gives the presentation a charming identity.

Franchise identity is a central disagreement. Many celebrate a thoughtful modernization, while others miss the RPG detail, atmosphere, and signature oddities of earlier Castlevanias.

Weapons, faction designs, environmental scale, and small details convincingly translate the tabletop universe into a retro shooter.

Limited healing makes long gauntlets and crowded encounters stressful. Mana-supported spell combinations are appreciated, but scarce restoratives and interrupted casts can make resource management feel punishing.

Ammo, health, and useful power-ups generally keep combat flowing. Small pickup radii, limited specialist ammo, and poorly timed discoveries can create friction.

Optional objectives can encourage fresh approaches and exploration. Repetitive or uninspired combat challenges are less successful.

Trains, rising hazards, and other set pieces keep many missions distinctive. Several accounts still find too many objectives built around keys and locked doors.

Companion banter can make the journey lively, funny, and less lonely. Frequent interruptions and overexplaining wear on players who prefer a quieter atmosphere.

Dry companion remarks and combat dialogue add levity and personality without slowing the action.

There is some freedom to choose routes and approach the ending early. Players hoping for extensive sequence breaking may find the progression rules surprisingly rigid.

There is room to favor different weapons and approaches, but locking a campaign to one hero limits experimentation for some players.

Some versions maintain smooth action, while others show noticeable drops or limiting frame caps. Switch 2 reports are generally more favorable than original Switch and Steam Deck accounts.

Desktop and console reports often describe stable high frame rates. Steam Deck can dip into the 30–40 fps range during traversal or crowded fights.

The whip and tarot systems bring welcome fresh ideas for some. Others find the exploration tricks and movement upgrades too conventional.

The sequel expands and refines its foundation rather than radically changing it. That safe approach leaves some wishing for a more adventurous follow-up.

Tarot clues can make investigation satisfying without simply placing an objective marker. Their clarity varies, and some players find the hints too cryptic or too limited when stuck.

Optional objective guidance provides a welcome way back to the action when a route becomes unclear.

Family loss, personal growth, and moments of redemption give the story unexpected emotional pull. Rose’s relationships provide much of that impact.

Cathartic combat, humor, and a powerful nostalgic pull can make the action absorbing and emotionally energizing.

Hunting bosses, gaining powers, and opening new paths creates a compelling loop for most. One disappointed demo player found the loop slow and unrewarding.

The shooting can sustain a satisfying flow state, but repeated key hunts and arena purges divide opinion. Longer sessions expose the routine for some players.

The wider cast earns praise for interesting, distinct personalities. Creative companions help the journey feel lively beyond Rose’s own story.

The second protagonist adds a meaningful alternative for many players, though others find the heroes too similar. Being unable to switch freely during a campaign is a recurring frustration.

The adventure often improves once the castle opens up, but the early hours can drag. Repeated backtracking and long stretches between useful travel points are recurring interruptions.

Brisk pacing keeps the action moving, yet relentless combat and occasional drawn-out stages can become exhausting. Others find the balance consistently engaging.

The main adventure and optional discoveries generally feel substantial without overstaying their welcome. One player finds it a little short despite its density.

Single-run length estimates vary considerably with route and playstyle. Alternate paths and the second hero extend the package, though some still find the campaigns short.

Bickering companions and eccentric personalities bring welcome humor and levity. These lighter exchanges help make the dark journey feel less lonely.

The Servo-skull’s dry observations and the heroes’ taunts add genuine laughs without abandoning the grimdark tone.

A burning Paris, gothic interiors, and evocative audio create a strong sense of place. Brighter visuals and frequent chatter dilute the mood for some traditionalists.

Gothic scale, oppressive scenery, and energetic character barks create a convincing Warhammer atmosphere.

The whip and tarot abilities connect traversal, combat, and progression in satisfying ways. A minority find the individual mechanics inconsistent or too familiar.

Grenade time slowing, charges, and sword attacks add satisfying ways to fight. Some miss the tactical detail removed from the original.

The opening teaches movement and combat through practical encounters, making the basics approachable without removing the challenge.

Starting with melee before introducing the gun helps teach the combat tools naturally.

Distinct weapon styles reward experimentation and situational choices. Strong upgrades and dominant late-game options sometimes make other weapons feel redundant.

The arsenal is widely praised for satisfying impact and varied roles. Nyra’s overlapping fire weapons, the crossbow, and the simplified damage system attract mixed reactions.

Learning the core moves is often handled well, but important systems are not always explained clearly. Mirror travel in particular is easy to discover late.

The opening gives the initial melee tools room to make sense before introducing shooting, helping the combat click into place.

Several players encounter few bugs, but others report windowed-mode problems, a fast-travel glitch, or an HDR pop-up that prevents loading. The issues described vary substantially.

Bugs range from minor visual and collision problems to stuck enemies and arena exits that fail to open. Some playthroughs are largely trouble-free.

Layered backgrounds, gothic architecture, and detailed vistas make many locations memorable. One sharply negative demo impression found the environments bland instead.

Skull-strewn industrial spaces, enormous structures, and detailed scenery convey the scale and oppressive character of the setting.

Platforming can be exhilarating when jumps, grapples, and light abilities click together. Its tight timing and repeated hazard rooms also produce some of the strongest complaints.

Platforming is divisive, with some enjoying the air control and others finding precise jumps awkward or slippery.

Combat is the clearest strength, combining weapon-specific attacks, grappling, spells, and parries. Crowded encounters and occasional sluggishness can interrupt that flow.

Gunfire lands with exceptional weight, and the improved melee keeps fights visceral. A minority find the encounters too shallow or mindless despite that impact.

Works of Mercy encourages experimentation by tying spell upgrades to practical challenges. Repetitive requirements and uneven weapon upgrade rewards can make advancement feel like busywork.

Weapon blessings deliver enjoyable temporary boosts, including distinctive upgrades such as dual pistols. Some would prefer lasting upgrades between levels.

The macabre presentation is praised for restraint rather than for sheer intensity. Its intimidating horrors remain stylized instead of excessively grotesque.

Exaggerated pixelated gore is enjoyed as part of the weapon feedback and cathartic combat spectacle.

The vivid gothic art, tarot illustrations, and painterly backgrounds are widely admired. Its brighter, more stylized look is less appealing to players who want a darker traditional aesthetic.

Chunky sprites, gothic scale, and vivid palettes make the retro art direction a standout strength. The style captures grimdark excess with considerable personality.

The writing is praised for personal stakes, thematic clarity, and eccentric characters. Other reactions point to weak scripts or dialogue that gives away too much.

The irreverent Servo-skull writing adds personality and well-timed comic relief amid the carnage.

New abilities and equipment usually make Rose’s growth satisfying. Slow access to mobility tools and small level-up bonuses leave some players underwhelmed.

New weapons and enemy introductions create a clear sense of progress. Persistent character growth remains a missed opportunity for players wanting deeper development.

The challenge can be rewarding, with learnable patterns and meaningful skill tests. Difficulty spikes, crowded rooms, and overpowered late-game equipment create an uneven curve for others.

Difficulty draws sharply different reactions: Medium can feel too easy, while Hard can produce abrupt damage spikes. Adjustable settings help, and some find the challenge fair and rewarding.

Enemies can track jumps and time attacks around dodges with frustrating precision. That behavior makes already demanding traversal and gauntlets feel less forgiving.

Simple behavior, idle enemies, and foes trapped in terrain undermine some fights. The AI is one of the more consistent technical complaints.

Handheld play can be enjoyable, particularly on Switch 2’s smaller screen. Steam Deck performance and cropped menus require more compromise.

Steam Deck and ROG Ally play can work very well, but small text, occasional frame dips, and awkward weapon cycling introduce compromises.

The overall response is favorable, with many calling it a strong or excellent comeback. More reserved reactions see an enjoyable foundation held back by uneven difficulty, technical issues, or a weaker franchise identity.

Most accounts see a confident, entertaining sequel with stronger variety and presentation. Its most skeptical critics find the expanded content too repetitive to feel like a major advance.

Distinct weapon families, spells, and encounter combinations give the action welcome variety. The available toolkit feels more expansive to some players than to others.

Planet hopping brings welcome visual variety, from corrupted jungles to industrial and frozen facilities. Changing scenery does not always disguise familiar objectives.

Meaningful hidden rewards make optional searches worthwhile. Weapons, equipment, and upgrades help give discoveries a useful payoff.

Well-hidden seals and useful secret power-ups give careful searching a payoff, sometimes requiring keen observation or clever platforming.

The blend of French history, gothic locations, and compelling exploration makes the world absorbing. Strong atmosphere helps sustain the desire to investigate.

Strong combat flow, evocative art, and detailed sound can draw players deeply into the grimdark setting.

Adjustable damage, healing, and boss respawns make the game easier to tailor to different skill levels. Most welcome that flexibility, though a few dislike the toggles or find they do not solve platforming frustrations.

Invulnerability, ammo assists, visual comfort settings, and flexible controls make it easier to tailor the action to different needs.

The core action and presentation are often described as polished and carefully executed. That finish helps the revival make a strong impression.

Several players find the sequel polished and well refined, though minor technical blemishes remain.

Fluid movement and expressive combat animations are consistent highlights. The transitions between running, jumping, and grappling help sell the acrobatic action.

Distinctive enemy gestures and violent animations add personality to the pixelated models.

Captured bosses bring distinct personalities and rivalries to Rose’s journey. Some players wish the wider cast contributed more, while others find the constant commentary excessive.

The Servo-skull brings an irreverent personality and comic relief that make the companion more memorable.

The strongest reactions describe a highly enjoyable, absorbing adventure. Combat and discovery keep those players eager to return even after setbacks.

Most accounts describe cathartic, highly enjoyable shooting. Repetition limits that enjoyment for some despite the immediate thrill of combat.

Whip-assisted movement often feels fluid, acrobatic, and exciting, especially as new abilities arrive. Early sluggishness and awkward grapple follow-ups frustrate some players.

Nyra’s slide and aerial movement are frequent highlights, while Malum delivers a heavier sense of momentum. Some find the speed slippery or difficult to control near hazards.

Boss patterns and combat rhythms become satisfying as they click. Animation commitments and unfamiliar movement timing can take some adjustment.

Simplified combat rules can make the action more intuitive, though the opening mechanics may take a little time to understand.

Hidden rooms, meaningful upgrades, and optional areas make exploration rewarding. Cryptic progression, repeated routes, and distant travel points can turn discovery into a chore.

Hidden power-ups and seals reward careful exploration. Some wish the larger-looking environments offered more open routes.

Precise whip aiming can be finicky, with missed anchors or unintended targets disrupting traversal and combat.

Precise aiming can take adjustment: default mouse sensitivity feels high to one player, while another struggles to connect shots while strafing.

Tarot-themed menus are attractive and generally easy to understand. Cropped item information on Steam Deck undermines their usability.

Small dialogue and mission-briefing text is difficult to read on Steam Deck, with no font scaling to help.

Boss battles frequently stand out for inventive patterns, striking designs, and demanding use of movement. A smaller group finds them uneven, forgettable, or frustratingly spongy.

Bosses divide opinion: elaborate multi-stage fights impress some players, while others find them conventional or underwhelming. The finale receives both praise and criticism.

Snappy whip cracks and impactful combat sounds help the action feel satisfying. One review criticizes the overall audio quality.

Heavy footsteps, crunchy impacts, and distinctive weapon reports make the sound design one of the game’s clearest strengths.

Map markers, completion tracking, and tarot clues help organize exploration. Even so, unclear objectives and awkward connections leave some players wandering for long stretches.

Guidance tools, an automap, clearer routes, and shortcuts reduce navigation frustration. Small interface complaints and occasional disorientation remain.

The castle’s distinct rooms, secrets, and shortcuts earn broad praise. Opinions are less enthusiastic about the early areas and how well the larger regions connect.

Distinctive locations, shortcuts, verticality, and environmental set pieces are widely praised improvements. Restrictive corridors and repeated layouts still disappoint some players.

Refreshed classic monsters can look imposing and give combat personality. Criticism centers on generic designs, excessive health, and enemies that feel more annoying than interesting.

Distinctive Chaos designs and varied attacks are frequent highlights. Some critics find too many foes interchangeable, overly durable, or insufficiently demanding.

Environmental clues, portraits, and room-specific mechanics produce satisfying discoveries. Some puzzles cross into obscurity or become frustrating when progress depends on finding a particular trigger.

Small puzzles and traversal challenges provide welcome reasons to think beyond shooting, including switches, environmental routes, and exploration rewards.

The ruined Paris setting and its history make the world engaging. A few reactions miss the ordinary people and encounters that would make its spaces feel more inhabited.

Locations steeped in Warhammer history give the campaign a strong sense of place.

Performance varies by platform and build, with solid experiences alongside frame drops, menu hitches, and disappointing handheld results. A stable presentation is not consistent across all reports.

Most tested systems run the game smoothly. Steam Deck accounts report some traversal or heavy-combat slowdowns despite generally good performance.

The soundtrack sharply divides opinion: some love its orchestral and electronic blend, while others miss the memorable melodies of older entries. Reworked classics are a particular point of disagreement.

The metal and industrial score ranges from a major highlight to forgettable background music. The climactic guest-composed track attracts especially strong praise.

Many find the controls responsive, but others report input delay, long animations, or unreliable grappling. Platform and build differences matter when judging how crisp the action feels.

Movement and shooting feel responsive on both mouse and controller. Remapping helps the default layout fit individual preferences.

Menu reactions split between quick, clear operation and interruptions to combat flow. Frequent equipment swapping, cropped text, and occasional hitches are the main complaints.

The weapon wheel makes a large arsenal easier to manage. Cycling weapons with the D-pad can still feel awkward on Steam Deck.

Voice performances are mostly well received and help bring the cast to life. Some find the English delivery uneven, while the Japanese dub receives a particularly favorable comparison.

Forceful taunts and committed lead performances earn substantial praise. A few dislike Nyra’s delivery, repeated lines, or the lack of voiced companion dialogue.

Rose is often praised as a confident, vulnerable, and engaging new Belmont. Her headstrong personality is less convincing to those who want more agency or complexity.

Nyra is an energetic, appealing addition for many, often becoming the preferred protagonist. Others remain unconvinced that she matches Malum’s appeal.

Multiple endings and unfinished discoveries give reasons to keep playing. The lack of New Game+ and concerns about shallow upgrades limit the appeal for some repeat players.

Two heroes, branching routes, hidden rewards, and difficulty options give the campaign substantial replay appeal. Some regard the shared missions and locked routes as padding or restrictions.

The absence of a native Switch 2 version disappoints players who want the newer hardware used more fully. Resolution and control concerns strengthen that criticism.

The lack of Xbox Play Anywhere support disappoints players hoping to carry the experience onto an Xbox handheld.

The lower price earns strong approval, especially given the amount of exploration and optional content. Players repeatedly describe it as good value.

The roughly $25 asking price is generally considered good value, especially when alternate routes and a second hero encourage replay.

Maintaining 60 fps can cost more battery in demanding Steam Deck areas, but the added smoothness is considered worthwhile.

Separate hero completions and accessible difficulty assists make the achievement list approachable while adding replay goals.

The camera can drop ahead of Rose during falls, making incoming hazards difficult to react to in time.

A familiar returning voice is especially rewarding for a longtime fan. The casting continuity adds an appreciated connection to earlier games.

Branching routes offer appealing location choices and replay opportunities, but have little effect on the story. Some find the lockouts restrictive or the choices superficial.

The heroes have distinct strengths, but opinions differ sharply on their balance. Nyra’s mobility and armor regeneration help some players, while others favor Malum’s weapons and durability.

Players wanting to purge together are disappointed by the lack of co-op.

Allied soldiers can provide breathing room and a sense of company, but their weak survival instincts sometimes turn them into accidental casualties.

The lack of local co-op disappoints players who wanted to share the campaign with a friend.

Keeping progress and experience after death can make retries feel productive. Poor respawn positions and lengthy returns to danger still create frustration.

The relentless carnage makes this a poor fit for childhood play.

Fast travel helps with backtracking, but its locations, discovery, and extra transitions often feel cumbersome. Several players find revisiting distant areas slower than it should be.

Opinions split on repetition: some enjoy farming enemies for experience and testing combinations, while others find prescribed spell-upgrade tasks taxing.

Controller vibration reinforces the weight and power of the protagonists.

The horrors are intimidating without overwhelming the empowering rhythm of play. That balance gives the macabre setting tension without making it oppressive.

Removing visible strength and toughness numbers leaves some players missing useful combat information.

Streamlined equipment removes the routine of constantly equipping whichever armor has the highest stats. That reduced busywork is appreciated.

Loading is a recurring frustration, especially when mirror travel adds multiple transitions. Waiting repeatedly can make useful shortcuts feel slow.

Exploration rewards are valued for giving hidden chests and optional routes a tangible payoff. Weapons and useful passive equipment make discoveries feel worthwhile.

The steelbook earns direct praise for its appearance, adding appeal to the physical package.

A full physical release is enthusiastically welcomed, especially by a player planning to keep it in a collection.

The leaner RPG systems divide opinion: some appreciate less equipment busywork, while others miss richer statistics, loot drops, and build depth.

For players wanting a solo power fantasy, the campaign delivers focused and satisfying combat.

Breakable ice, collapsing structures, and exploitable hazards add tactical opportunities and make battlefields feel more active.

The carnage is considered too much for a young child by one account, reinforcing its mature appeal.

Weapons, spells, and three relic slots allow enjoyable combinations without excessive complexity. The freedom to adapt builds is a strength, though frequent menu use can interrupt experimentation.

The physical edition appeals to collectors, with enthusiasm for owning the game and praise for the steelbook presentation.

The short demo is criticized for underselling the full game. Later movement options and stronger areas make the adventure feel different from its opening slice.

Memorable set pieces and clearer objectives strengthen missions, though repetitive key hunts can make their underlying structure feel familiar.

The absence of multiplayer feels like a missed opportunity for a game with two protagonists.

The open-ended world leaves room for branching discoveries while keeping the main route manageable. Its initial linear stretch gives way to a more inviting search for secrets.

Tarot investigations give boss hunts a clear purpose, with late-game searches attracting the strongest praise. Familiar tricks make those quests less surprising for some genre veterans.