DaRmaZat The 2D action RPG Crimson Capes is set to launch on February 12 for PC via Steam. Developed by Studio Poor Locke, the game reinterprets the core ideas of the Souls formula in a side-scrolling format, combining deliberate swordplay, non-linear exploration, and online multiplayer in a dark sword-and-sorcery setting.
Set in the fantasy kingdom of Amvros, Crimson Capes places players in the role of Milon the Tempest, a witch-hunter leading an elite guild known as the Crimson Capes. What begins as a series of contracts to track down rogue spellcasters gradually unfolds into a larger conspiracy that questions the nature of power and its cost. Players are free to tackle hunts across the realm in their own order, uncovering hidden stories, artifacts, and abilities scattered throughout ruined towers, forgotten caverns, mystical forests, and ancient strongholds.
Crimson Capes‘ combat is built around animation-committed swordplay inspired by realistic fighting techniques. Every encounter emphasizes timing, spacing, and intent, with feints, thrusts, cuts, and guards creating tense exchanges rather than relying on raw statistics. The game features four playable heroes, each defined by a unique weapon style, moveset, and skill tree, encouraging experimentation and mastery. Magic is directly integrated into combat through elemental powers such as wind, thunder, fire, and darkness, expanding tactical options without breaking the flow of melee duels.
Exploration follows a Souls-like philosophy that rewards curiosity and player choice, while multiplayer systems bring familiar genre concepts into two dimensions. Players can team up in online co-op to complete hunts together or invade other sessions as a Deathblade, introducing unpredictable PvP encounters that can dramatically alter the course of a mission. Optional dynamic hunts further add replayability by featuring unique enemy and boss combinations generated for each run.
Visually, Crimson Capes blends detailed pixel art with hand-drawn environments and rotoscoped animation, drawing inspiration from classic pulp fantasy such as Conan and Elric. The result is a raw, mythic atmosphere that reinforces the game’s focus on tension, discovery, and hard-earned triumph. Crimson Capes launches on February 12 on PC via Steam, with console versions planned for a later date.
