Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Paris Rooftops Walkthrough

Once the catacombs spit you back into daylight, Paris turns vertical. Evil Empire's commentary trailer promises "sacred spires of Notre Dame" and a duel with a corrupted legend. That legend is Joan of Arc, voiced by Erica Lindbeck. Creative director Emmanuel Nouaille said they wanted a Paris-specific boss and built "almost a shonen anime version" of Joan. The rooftop chapter is how you reach her.

The tower is a puzzle, not a ladder

GameSpot's hands-on is the clearest route note we have: the second boss sits on a huge tower, and you cannot walk in the front. You work around and under it, flipping mechanisms that lower drawbridges and create a platforming path. That is a classic Castlevania clocktower idea rebuilt with the new whip. If a ring is out of reach, you are on the wrong face of the building. Drop, slide through a side chapel, and look for a chain of holds.

The Paris 1499 map is useful here because Notre Dame is a landmark, not a loading screen. You should still see the burning streets below. Whip swings between gargoyles are the fantasy the studio sold — "move around freely like a trapeze artist." If your swings feel short, you may still be using a melee grapple cancel incorrectly. The whip grapple guide explains the attack-while-pulling trick that keeps momentum across gaps.

Preparing for Joan

Joan is a fiery, sword-first boss, not another whip clone. Previewers mention a ground explosion Arcana as the reward, which tells you what her arena is going to feel like: slams, bursts, and vertical punishment. Stock potions. Slot a relic that helps sustain. If Crypt Key is still on, open every chest on the climb — each one is a full restore. For a pattern breakdown, use how to beat Joan of Arc rather than improvising in the tower wind.

Works of Mercy should be part of the climb, not homework you save for later. If Holy Cross wants whip-weapon pickups, sweep the side roofs before you pull the last lever. Blessings that add a second cross or refund MP on catch will make Joan's adds and explosion windows much cheaper. Track them in the Arcana tracker so you do not forget which card is actually upgraded.

After the duel

Sealing Joan adds a new spell and, more importantly, a new special action. That is how Belmont's Curse opens the rest of Paris and the castle gates. Official materials still refuse to show the full late-game graph, but the contract is obvious: every boss is a key. When the rooftops are cleared, the looming castle in the skyline is your next hub — continue with the Dracula's Castle walkthrough.

• If a drawbridge will not drop, you missed a side path under the tower, not a bug.
• Do not enter Joan at low flasks. The fight is a skill check closer to The Lost Crown than to NES Dracula.
• Spend Blessings before the cut-in. A stronger Cursed Flame or double Cross changes the whole duel.
• Mark the rooftop save point; you will farm the tower packs if the fight is beating you.