Cursemark: Why This Zelda-Meets-Diablo ARPG Is a Must-Watch

Hello, Elias here from RivalSector.com. Every so often, a game pops up on my radar that just ticks all the right boxes. It’s not a AAA titan or a massive sequel, but an indie project with a concept so compelling I just have to dive in. The latest game to grab my attention is Cursemark, a dark fantasy title from the solo-developer studio CLYDE games. After digging into what this game is all about, I’m convinced this is something every action-RPG and roguelite fan needs to have on their wishlist.

It promises a blend of classic Zelda-like exploration with the deep, build-crafting chaos of games like Noita and Diablo. It’s an ambitious cocktail, and I’m here to break down exactly what we know about this upcoming title and why it’s shaping up to be a potential indie sleeper hit.

What Exactly is Cursemark?

At its core, Cursemark is an action-exploration roguelite. You’ll venture into a vast, handcrafted dark fantasy world known as “The Unknown Lands.” The developer, Casey Clyde, has been open about his inspirations, citing a fascinating mix: the combat and structure of Hades, the “wand building” (spell crafting) of Noita, the build variety of Diablo, and the world exploration and secrets of the original Legend of Zelda.

That last part is what really hooks me.

Unlike many roguelites that rely purely on procedurally generated maps you’ll never see again, Cursemark is set in a large, hand-crafted world. This means the layout is persistent. There are secrets to find, shortcuts to unlock, and a genuine sense of place to learn. The roguelite elements come from your “runs” through this world. You’ll plot a course, fight through different biomes and rooms, and try to get as far as you can before you die.

When you die, you’re back at the start, but (and this is key) your knowledge of the world and any permanent upgrades or shortcuts you’ve unlocked remain. This blend of persistent exploration and run-based progression sounds like the perfect solution for players like me who love the “one more run” loop but also crave a world that feels tangible and worth exploring.

The Core Hook: Crafting Your Own Spells

Where Cursemark aims to truly stand out is its deep customization system. This isn’t just about finding a better sword or a helmet with slightly higher stats. It’s about fundamentally changing how your abilities work on every single run.

The system revolves around two main components:

• Spells: These are your core abilities, your bread and butter in combat. You’ll start with a few and unlock more.
• Runes and Talismans: This is where the magic happens. During a run, you’ll find hundreds of these items. Runes can be slotted into your spells to dramatically alter their effects.

Think of it this way: you might have a basic “Fireball” spell. But then you find a Rune that makes it shoot three projectiles instead of one. Then you find another that makes it freeze enemies instead of burning them. And another that makes it summon a lightning strike on impact. Suddenly, your simple Fireball spell is a “Triple-Burst Freezing Lightning-Strike” spell.

The developer has given examples like making a fireball shoot ice spears or making a gas cloud summon lightning. This level of granular, build-defining customization is what gives ARPGs like Path of Exile or Diablo their legendary replayability. Bringing that level of build-crafting into a skill-based, top-down action roguelite is an incredible prospect. It means that even if you’re running through familiar territory, your approach to combat will be wildly different each time based on the loot you find.

Progression: The World is Your Skill Tree

I’m a huge fan of smart progression systems, and Cursemark’s approach sounds brilliant. It’s not just about getting stronger, it’s about making interesting choices.

The developer describes a unique risk-versus-reward mechanic. As you move through the world and clear “rooms” (levels), you gain two things: Runes (which are temporary and lost on death) and Blessings (which are permanent upgrades). The catch? Every room you clear makes the whole world one notch harder.

This creates a fantastic strategic dilemma. Do you take a meandering path to your destination, clearing every room along the way to hoover up as many Blessings and Runes as possible, knowing your final destination will be incredibly difficult? Or do you bee-line it straight for your objective, foregoing potential upgrades to face the boss at its easiest level?

This system essentially turns the world map itself into a dynamic skill tree. Your “build” isn’t just your gear, but the path you choose to take. Add in persistent unlocks like new spells, equipment, and shortcuts that carry over between runs, and you have a deeply rewarding meta-game layered on top of the moment-to-moment action.

What to Expect from Early Access

CLYDE games has been transparent about the launch plans. This isn’t a “beta test” masquerading as a release. It’s a genuine Early Access launch with a solid foundation of content and a clear roadmap for the future.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we know about the initial Early Access release:

The developer plans to use the Early Access period to add more Areas, levels, spells, Runes, and Talismans, all while gathering player feedback. This is the right way to do it, building with the community. For those of us who like to get in on the ground floor, this is perfect. If you prefer a 1.0 experience, you can always wishlist it and wait, though the price may increase upon full release.

My Final Take

I am genuinely hyped for Cursemark. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, it’s trying to build a better one by combining the best parts of several beloved genres. The concept of a handcrafted, explorable world in a roguelite is a huge draw. The promise of a Noita-level spell-crafting system built on an Hades-style combat chassis sounds like a dream combination.

The fact that it’s all coming from a small, passionate indie dev makes it even more appealing. We’ve seen games like Dead Cells (which Cursemark shares engine tech with) and Slay the Spire come from small teams and completely take over the gaming landscape.

Cursemark has all the right ingredients. It looks to be a dark, atmospheric, and deeply complex game that will reward player skill, curiosity, and creativity in equal measure.

This is exactly the kind of title we love to champion here in our Gaming Insights category. My advice? Go try the free demo on Steam right now. If it clicks with you, this is absolutely one to watch for its November 3rd launch.

What do you think? Does this blend of Zelda and Diablo appeal to you? Let us know in the comments below!

This Cursemark Trailer gives a great look at the game’s art style and fast-paced, spell-crafting combat in action.