Whether or not you’ve already plowed your method by means of Hades 2 early entry or, like me, are ready for Supergiant’s full 1.0 launch, there are many motion roguelikes to maintain you busy. One which’s caught my eye this week is Cursebane, which mixes that acquainted management fashion with extra open-ended environments, difficult enemy duels, fantastically animated pixel artwork designs, and a wealth of extra RPG fashion choice making. Even higher, you possibly can attempt it proper now due to a free Steam demo that’s being actively up to date.
The fundamentals of Cursebane will instantly really feel acquainted in the event you’ve performed a few of the best roguelike games within the Hades mould. Wielding a katana and magical spells, it affords you all of the necessities – common combo strings, sprint assaults, cost strikes, and a strong ‘surge mode’ that spends meter to spice up your talents for a short time. Every of those could be additional amplified by a variety of variations and elementally infused boons you accumulate over the course of every run. Past these fundamentals, nonetheless, issues rapidly begin to diverge as you step out into the beautiful pixel-art forests.
The environments of Cursebane are a lot broader and extra winding than the arenas of Hades, making world exploration really feel just a little like enjoying a basic Diablo fashion ARPG, and even video games like Remnant 2. Including to which might be the varied occasions and NPCs you’ll encounter alongside your method, every presenting you with selections to make that may dramatically have an effect on the course of your journey. Typically, these are easy threat/reward selections, however in different instances they will extra dramatically alter your playthrough.
Maybe you’ll encounter a grave of corrupted spirits. Launch them and you may strike them down, however go away them at peace they usually’ll bestow a strong talent upon you, whereas probably additionally revealing the situation of a close-by camp the place extra goodies may be discovered. In one other occasion, you would select whether or not to problem a rival samurai, or settle for the plaque he presents – take it to a close-by exile camp and also you’ll be granted the prospect to show your self in a fight trial.
It’s throughout these moments that Cursebane actually shines. A variety of the overworld enemies are smaller fodder that largely create menace by their sheer numbers, though even blitzing by means of these packs with flurries of lightning-imbued stabs can nonetheless go away you feeling like Satan Could Cry’s Vergil. A few of the stronger creatures, nonetheless, boast a spread of talents that may catch you off-guard in the event you’re not cautious.
Much more notable foes resembling these discovered within the exile’s trial have a big selection of abilities at their disposal. I’m an enormous fan of duel-style encounters, resembling Bloodborne’s hunters or the rival agent fights in Zenless Zone Zero, and there’s definitely that sense at play in Cursebane’s extra pivotal battles. Couple that with some improbable animation work, resembling mysterious kunoichi Kaida’s baseball pitcher-inspired bomb throws, and I’m definitely wanting to see what else developer Flyway Video games has in retailer.
The Cursebane demo is out now on Steam. Flyway says it’ll stay out there by means of the upcoming Steam Subsequent Fest, which concludes on Monday October 21, with extra content material persevering with to roll out over the occasion. You may download the demo through Steam or wishlist the sport to remain updated with improvement.
For much more video games you possibly can leap into proper now, listed below are the very best free Steam games to play in 2024. Or get hacking and slashing with the best action games on PC.
You can too observe us on Google News for day by day PC video games information, evaluations, and guides, or seize our PCGN deals tracker to internet your self some bargains.