Published Feb 7, 2026, 11:00 PM EST
Ben Brosofsky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2022 and editing since 2024. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's in Cinema & Media Arts. Writing serves as a much-needed distraction from tackling a backlog of Steam games that will never be surmounted.
The Witcher and Dark Souls both have elements of dark fantasy, but they're different in all the details. While the Continent of The Witcher features plenty of politics, progress, and relative prosperity, Dark Souls homes in on combat in a consistently unforgiving world. A new game, however, might offer the perfect mix of both inspirations.
Crimson Capes, developed by Poor Locke, features fantasy witch-hunting swordplay with the core gameplay pillars of Dark Souls. The game is slated to release on February 12, with a 10% discount on its MSRP of $15 for the first nine days of release. In the meantime, a free demo is available.
Crimson Capes Is A Promising 2D Soulslike
All The Staples In Side-Scrolling Form
The biggest difference between Crimson Capes and Dark Souls or The Witcher is obvious at a glance. This one is a 2D side-scroller, rendering its world with detailed pixel art rather than polygons. When it comes to the flavor of the world and the mechanics of progression and combat, however, the similarities start to outweigh the differences.
Crimson Capes conducts its combat with all the Soulslike staples, focusing on a rhythm of light and heavy attacks, blocks, parries, and dodges. Fields of blue flowers take over the role of bonfires, recharging health and the game's equivalent of Estus Flasks. The game also emphasizes non-linear exploration, claiming to reward players who seek out all of its secrets.
Unlike the vaguely nameless protagonists of Dark Souls games, Crimson Capes embraces a specific character tasked with hunting witches throughout the fantasy kingdom. I wouldn't place any bets on Milon the Tempest rivaling Geralt of Rivia's legacy, but there's certainly potential for a real character arc within the scope of the game.
The Crimson Capes Demo Is A Hit
Things Are Looking Good So Far
The Crimson Capes demo has been around since May 2025, and it's managed to make a strong impression so far, with 89% of the 64 reviews being positive. Most of the praise in the reviews goes towards the game's combat animations, which take extensive inspiration from real swordplay while forcing players to commit fully to each move they make.
Hopefully, the full game can live up to the hype created by the demo. With less than a week to go until its release, it won't be long until an ultimate verdict can be rendered. While there's no shortage of games living in the shadow of The Witcher and Dark Souls, Crimson Capes has a real chance at offering a memorably unique blend in a 2D format.
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