Crimson Capes Preview

I got the chance to check out Crimson Capes, a 2D action RPG game with brutal swordplay and even worse enemies. Developed and published by Poor Locke, it won the Visual Award at the Game Developer Session Prague in 2023, and now it’s looking to release on Early Access on the 13th of February, so let’s give it a shot and see if it’s worth looking further into.

The game takes place in the Kingdom of Amvros, which is currently going through a war. The titular Crimson Capes are a guild of witch-hunters led by Milon the Tempest. As the Left Hand of the King, he’s the one doing all the dirty work that the King of Amvros would rather keep under wraps, and this time it’s about taking down the conspiracy of wizards that started this mess. But… nothing is ever as simple as it seems, and the story will call into question what having power means and who deserves to wield it.

I have to admit, I was drawn in by the graphic style. While it is in 2D, the models were definitely animated in 3D, making it look like it came straight out of the SNES or the Game Boy Advance. This is contrasted by the extremely realistic animations that are rotoscoped to have the characters move so smoothly.

The guild consists of four available heroes to play as, who each have a unique fighting style and skill tree. Combat is based on real fighting techniques and strategy, with a little bit of magic to make things interesting. The controls are simple to grasp, but actually mastering them may take more effort. Parries, feints, guards, and positioning are key skills to learn, as one mistake could lead to a swift death. Though upgrades are well and good, they don't quite replace learning the discipline and patience needed to conquer whatever challenges the game presents, and there are plenty of them. If you’re good enough, it can become more like a dance than a fight.

But this adventure doesn't have to be done alone. You can have a friend join in asymmetrical multiplayer and hunt witches in online co-op. That being said, if you aren’t up for fighting the good fight, you can choose to become a Deathblade and hunt other players, invading their worlds to ruin their day. That soulslike tag on Steam was not an exaggeration (though, you don’t drop your currency on death).

Crimson Capes seems extremely promising at this stage. I loved the combat, graphical style, and general feeling. If I wanted to change something, well, I would love an actual indication on where to go. Exploring is good and all, but the map is big, and I have no idea where I should be going half the time. Also, the map is done with an artistic approach rather than a functional one, which makes it easier to get lost. Still, I’m willing to endure whatever these witches want to throw at me and give them the taste of my blade.

Crimson Capes will be released on Early Access on the 13th of February 2026.