There’s a particular kind of magic in a 2D action game that commits fully to weight, timing, and consequence. Crimson Capes, now available on PC via Steam, looks to channel that energy through a striking pixel art lens, blending deliberate Soulslike combat with a pulp sword-and-sorcery aesthetic that feels pulled from another era.
Developed by indie studio Poor Locke, Crimson Capes is set in the kingdom of Amvros, where players assume the role of Milon the Tempest, a witch-hunter operating in the shadows of royal authority. As leader of the titular Crimson Capes, Milon undertakes contracts the crown cannot publicly acknowledge, carving through heretics and uncovering conspiracies that threaten the realm. It’s a setup steeped in intrigue and moral ambiguity, fitting for a game that leans heavily into tension and consequence.
At its core, Crimson Capes translates the Souls formula into two dimensions. Combat revolves around animation commitment and grounded sword-fighting principles: feints, thrusts, cuts, and guards are not flashy flourishes but calculated tools. Timing and positioning appear to be everything, with parries and measured aggression forming the backbone of each encounter. It’s less about overpowering enemies through stats and more about learning patterns, mastering spacing, and accepting that survival hinges on discipline.
That philosophy extends to progression. Rather than handing out sweeping boosts to health or damage, the game emphasizes new moves and techniques, rewarding finesse and experimentation over brute-force escalation. Players can unlock additional heroes, each with their own weapon style and progression path, offering different approaches to the same punishing world. Elemental abilities are woven directly into combat, further encouraging thoughtful play rather than treating magic as a separate system.
Visually, Crimson Capes stands out immediately. Hand-drawn pixel art environments combine with rotoscoped character animation, evoking the texture of classic late-20th-century fantasy. There are clear nods to old-school sword-and-sorcery (think Conan and Elric) alongside a distinct 90s computer-game sensibility. It’s a look that feels nostalgic without being derivative, tapping into memories of early home computer action titles while presenting something decidedly modern in structure.
The game also incorporates online elements that should pique the interest of Soulslike devotees. Players can team up in co-op hunts as fellow Capes or invade another group’s mission as a Deathblade, injecting unpredictability into what might otherwise be a tightly controlled encounter.
Crimson Capes won’t be for everyone. By design, it appears to demand patience and mechanical commitment. But for pixel art aficionados and fans of methodical, high-stakes combat, this 2D take on the Soulslike blueprint could be a compelling addition to the genre’s expanding lineage.
