Night Hazard Revives Castlevania 64 Nostalgia With Indie Tribute from Holy Sword Studio
Fans of the storied Castlevania franchise have long witnessed developers gravitate toward the series' acclaimed 2D titles, such as the original Castlevania trilogy on the NES and the beloved Symphony of the Night.
However, one independent developer is tapping into a different legacy—shining a spotlight on the more polarizing 3D entries in the franchise.
Holy Sword Studio’s upcoming project, Night Hazard, is reviving the atmospheric spirit of Castlevania 64 and its successors, captivating fans who have yearned for a modern homage to these often-overlooked classics. Helmed by the developer known as Unholy_Malphas, Night Hazard serves as an overt 'love letter' to the era of 3D Castlevania games.
Drawing inspiration from titles like Castlevania 64, Legacy of Darkness, Lament of Innocence, and Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, the game distinctly sets itself apart from the prevalent Metroidvania stylings of recent years.
Early footage shared by Holy Sword Studio on platforms like Twitter/X reveals a retro-inspired aesthetic, characterized by dramatic skyboxes, nostalgic low-poly textures, and minimalist level geometry—capturing the unique visual signature of the Nintendo 64 generation. Night Hazard’s gameplay further underlines its fidelity to its roots.
While the visual direction closely mirrors the Castlevania games released for the Nintendo 64, the action-oriented combat takes cues from PlayStation 2’s Curse of Darkness.
The title features a robust hack-and-slash system that evolves with character upgrades, introducing both platforming challenges and in-depth weapon-based combat.
Players assume the role of the Unholy Knight Malphas, a reluctant savior navigating a decaying, tormented world overtaken by monstrous legions.
The journey offers a variety of weapons, hidden secrets reminiscent of classic Castlevania exploration, and encounters with chilling enemies such as undead knights, imps, and skulls. Holy Sword Studio’s founder expressed hope that Castlevania fans will support Night Hazard, asking the community to help raise awareness for the project on social media.
As stated in their recent video announcement, the developer highlighted the game’s dedication to recapturing the atmospheric tension and dynamic action that made the original 3D entries so memorable. Currently, Night Hazard is available to wishlist on Steam, with a projected launch date no earlier than late 2026.
The project stands as a testament to the enduring influence of the Castlevania series, celebrating an era often overshadowed by its 2D counterparts.
As anticipation builds within the gaming community, Night Hazard promises a fresh yet nostalgic adventure for fans of action platformers and retro-inspired games alike.
However, one independent developer is tapping into a different legacy—shining a spotlight on the more polarizing 3D entries in the franchise.
Holy Sword Studio’s upcoming project, Night Hazard, is reviving the atmospheric spirit of Castlevania 64 and its successors, captivating fans who have yearned for a modern homage to these often-overlooked classics. Helmed by the developer known as Unholy_Malphas, Night Hazard serves as an overt 'love letter' to the era of 3D Castlevania games.
Drawing inspiration from titles like Castlevania 64, Legacy of Darkness, Lament of Innocence, and Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, the game distinctly sets itself apart from the prevalent Metroidvania stylings of recent years.
Early footage shared by Holy Sword Studio on platforms like Twitter/X reveals a retro-inspired aesthetic, characterized by dramatic skyboxes, nostalgic low-poly textures, and minimalist level geometry—capturing the unique visual signature of the Nintendo 64 generation. Night Hazard’s gameplay further underlines its fidelity to its roots.
While the visual direction closely mirrors the Castlevania games released for the Nintendo 64, the action-oriented combat takes cues from PlayStation 2’s Curse of Darkness.
The title features a robust hack-and-slash system that evolves with character upgrades, introducing both platforming challenges and in-depth weapon-based combat.
Players assume the role of the Unholy Knight Malphas, a reluctant savior navigating a decaying, tormented world overtaken by monstrous legions.
The journey offers a variety of weapons, hidden secrets reminiscent of classic Castlevania exploration, and encounters with chilling enemies such as undead knights, imps, and skulls. Holy Sword Studio’s founder expressed hope that Castlevania fans will support Night Hazard, asking the community to help raise awareness for the project on social media.
As stated in their recent video announcement, the developer highlighted the game’s dedication to recapturing the atmospheric tension and dynamic action that made the original 3D entries so memorable. Currently, Night Hazard is available to wishlist on Steam, with a projected launch date no earlier than late 2026.
The project stands as a testament to the enduring influence of the Castlevania series, celebrating an era often overshadowed by its 2D counterparts.
As anticipation builds within the gaming community, Night Hazard promises a fresh yet nostalgic adventure for fans of action platformers and retro-inspired games alike.
