New Open-World Soulslike Game on Steam Looks Like Dark Souls Meets Vampire Survivors

Cursemark is a new Soulslike game on Steam that launched in early access on June 8, and it has gained traction thanks to its Dark Souls-inspired gameplay and a buildcrafting mechanic comparable to Vampire Survivors. Cursemark was recently featured in the 2026 Future Games Show, where it also caught the attention of many Soulslike-enthusiast Steam users.

Developed by indie studio CLYDE Games, Cursemark is published by Mad Mushroom, an indie publisher co-founded by Asmongold, although he has since stepped down from his roles. Mad Mushroom is also part of the OTK Network, which includes prominent content creators such as Emiru, Esfand, and Extra Emily.

Cursemark Launches to Very Positive Reviews

Cursemark entered early access on Steam on June 8, 2026, and currently holds a Very Positive rating. That said, the game has only accumulated a few hundred user reviews as of this writing, which may not be enough to fully gauge its long-term performance. Even so, the early feedback suggests that Cursemark has successfully captured the appeal of some of the biggest names in the Soulslike subgenre, particularly Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls.

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What’s That Weapon?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

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Developer CLYDE Games has previously discussed the game’s inspirations, stating, “We’ve been putting a lot of love and hard work into [Cursemark], inspired by the original Zelda, Dark Souls, and Hades.” For those wondering how Hades and Zelda fit into the formula, the answer lies in Cursemark’s overworld and progression systems.

Cursemark features a handcrafted, interconnected, consistent world that resembles the map design of the original Zelda. Its progression is also built around a seamless cycle of death and revival that appears to draw inspiration from Hades. At the same time, Cursemark shares several similarities with Vampire Survivors, one of the most influential bullet heaven games ever made.

The Broken Builds Channel Vampire Survivors

In Cursemark, players can min-max different builds using the runes they acquire throughout each playthrough. In some cases, these seemingly endless rune combinations can result in broken builds capable of wiping out entire groups of enemies in seconds. Fans of Vampire Survivors’ chaotic gameplay should find this design philosophy familiar, as the game is built around similar buildcrafting mechanics. Vampire Survivors lets players create incredibly overpowered builds that can become so destructive they occasionally cause frame rate drops. Based on early impressions, the same can be said about Cursemark, too.

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Cursemark Has Dark Souls’ Unforgiving Combat

Developer CLYDE Games describes Cursemark as a hack-and-slash action roguelike, but its combat clearly borrows several core mechanics from the Dark Souls series, making it a Soulslike at its core. Set in a dark fantasy world, the game features mythological creatures, challenging boss encounters, and mysterious, nameless NPCs that contribute to its environmental storytelling, much like the Dark Souls games. Combat is also notably unforgiving. Healing items are relatively scarce, and enemy attacks remain highly lethal throughout the experience.

Cursemark is currently available on Steam for around $19. However, as part of a limited-time launch promotion running through June 22, fans of indie Soulslike games can pick it up for roughly $12. Those interested in trying the game should also keep in mind that Cursemark is still in early access, meaning bugs, glitches, and other unfinished elements are to be expected. According to developer CLYDE Games, Cursemark is expected to remain in early access for anywhere between six months and two years, depending on how development progresses and player feedback shapes the game’s future updates.