Cursed Blood news & patch notes

Hey everyone!

We wanted to share a quick look at what we’re currently working on. Right now our full focus is on Update #2, which is a complete rework of the meta progression system.

Our goal with this update is to push the game into something that feels much more expansive, meaningful, and fresh compared to before. We’re rebuilding the system from the ground up and trying to fit in as much as possible to really elevate long-term progression.

The New Meta Loop

At the center of the update is the Shrine, where players will collect Blood Orbs during runs. These orbs are used to fill four sacrificial Cups, and as you progress, you’ll unlock:

• Abilities

• Katanas

• Gear

• Modifier Runs

• Entirely new systems

The idea is to create a progression flow that constantly opens up new options and builds toward stronger, more interesting runs.

New Skull System

We’re also introducing several unlockable skulls that can be used during runs, each offering powerful effects, at a cost:

• Quest Skull – Take on quests during runs to earn additional Blood Orbs

• Blood Skull – Gain a temporary boost to your Blood power

• Cleanse Skull – Remove a chosen curse from all currently inflicted curses

These are designed to add more strategic choices and risk/reward decisions mid-run.

New & Updated Abilities

We’re expanding combat options with new mechanics and reworks:

• Stun Breaker – Break out of longer stuns with a well-timed dash

• Charge Dash Split

  • A faster, lighter version

  • A longer, more powerful version

This should give players more control and flexibility in how they approach fights.

Configurable Upgrades

Another big addition is a new system (yet to be named) where players unlock upgrades that can be configured before each run.

This lets you tailor your build to your playstyle, and as you progress through the Shrine, these systems will expand further — allowing for increasingly powerful and unique runs over time.

This update is a big step for us, and we’re putting a lot of effort into making it feel like a true evolution of the game. We’ll share more details as things come together.

Thanks for sticking with us, more soon!

We’ve just released Update 1 (Version 0.53)!

This is a smaller update focused on a handful of requested improvements to make gameplay feel smoother overall.

Changes & Improvements

• Improved deflection/blocking to feel more responsive, with clearer feedback. Defense now shows its “health” and gives a clear indication when it breaks. Bullet deflection handling has also been improved.

• Improved auto-aim for ranged weapons, along with a new lock-on indicator.

• Tweaked certain enemy attacks for more accurate hit detection.

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where saves could appear “lost” when playing without being logged into Steam. The saves were not actually deleted, but couldn’t be found since they were named based on SteamID. This edge case, and a similar related issue, has now been resolved.

• A bunch of other smaller fixes in both levels and features.

This is a smaller update, so if you run into any issues, please let us know.

We’re currently working on a larger patch that will overhaul the meta progression system, which we believe will tie the game together much more effectively. Development on Chapter 3 is also underway, though that will take a bit more time.

Thanks for playing, Cursed Blood Team

Hey everyone,

We’ve been reading through your feedback across reviews and discussions, and we want to start by saying: thank you. It’s been incredibly valuable, and we’re actively working on improving the game based on what you’ve shared.

Our first step is a smaller update focused on addressing some of the most commonly reported issues. This includes:

• Improving weapon auto-aiming

• Making defense and parry mechanics (especially against bullets) more consistent and clearer in their feedback

• Cleaning up various meta/UI presentation elements and other smaller fixes

Alongside that, we’re deep into work on a much larger update. This will be a significant overhaul of how meta progression works. We’re introducing a new system where you collect orbs that unlock features, gear, katanas, and abilities. The goal is to make progression feel more rewarding, structured, and meaningful.

We’re also working on a third biome with new enemies and bosses. This is a bigger addition and will take more time, so the meta progression update will most likely come first.

To be clear: we are absolutely not abandoning the project. We’re taking the time needed to properly address your feedback and push the game in a much better direction.

And for any type of feedback or ideas we love everything we have seen, so keep posting and letting us know what you think!

Thanks again for sticking with us and helping shape Cursed Blood ❤️

The wait is over, Cursed Blood has officially launched on Steam!

We’re incredibly excited (and honestly a bit nervous) to finally put the game in your hands. This is just the beginning, Early Access means we get to build and shape Cursed Blood together with you.

This is a huge milestone for us, and we couldn’t have gotten here without the support and interest from all of you. Now comes the best part, evolving the game alongside the community.

Your feedback is everything to us. Whether it’s ideas, balance thoughts, or bug reports, we want to hear it all!

Join the discussion on Steam

🐛 Report bugs & share feedback

💜 Join our Discord community

We’re beyond excited to see what you think. Let’s make something amazing together.

The Cursed Blood Team

Our game officially launches tomorrow — April 2nd at 19:00 CEST 🎉 Make sure you're ready!

We’re incredibly excited to finally share this with you all, and we can’t wait to hear what you think. We’re very open to feedback, so please share your thoughts in the Discussions forum or on our Discord, it really helps us track everything and roll out updates as quickly as possible.

Make sure to share with your friends as well so they are ready to start slashing as soon as the game is out.

🔥 See you at launch! 🔥

The wait is almost over.

In just one week, you’ll finally be able to step into the dark, twisted world of Cursed Blood, where every choice matters, and survival is never guaranteed.

We’ve poured everything into this, and we can’t wait for you to experience it!

This is just the beginning.

Streamers & reviewers: Want to cover Cursed Blood? We’ve got you. Reach out to us for keys via any of our socials:

https://linktr.ee/dm_studios

For everyone else:

Wishlist, spread the word, and get ready.

7 days until your katanas will drip with Cursed Blood!

We’re getting close! Only 14 days left until we launch into Early Access, and we couldn’t be more excited.

The team is hard at work putting the final touches on the launch version, making sure everything is ready for day one. We’re also already looking ahead at future updates and improvements.

Most of all, we can’t wait to hear what you think. Your feedback will be a huge part of shaping what comes next.

Want to be part of the conversation already?

Join our Discord and connect with the team and community!

See you soon!

- Cursed Blood Team

Our demo is still live on Steam and will remain available until March 26.

After that, the demo will be taken down as we prepare for our Early Access launch on April 2.

So if you haven’t tried the demo yet, now’s the perfect time to jump in and experience the game before the next chapter begins.

We’re getting everything ready for Early Access and can’t wait to show you what’s coming next. And we are very excited to be able to start working together with the community to make this the best samurai roguelike out there!

Cursed Blood just reached 20,000 wishlists during Steam Next Fest, an incredible milestone for our small team of three passionate developers!

We are truly grateful for the support, the kind words, and everyone who has taken the time to play the demo. Seeing your enthusiasm means the world to us and fuels our excitement as we move closer to our Early Access launch. We hope you're just as excited as we are.

If you've played the demo, we would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and ideas. Your input is invaluable to us during this period leading up to Early Access, and it will continue to shape the game throughout Early Access as well.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

— The Cursed Blood Team

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be participating in the upcoming Steam Next Fest as we continue gearing up for our Early Access launch.

To celebrate (and stress-test things properly), we’ve rolled out a major update to the demo packed with improvements and new content.

What’s New in the Demo?

New Curses & Content Additions

We’ve added a variety of new curses, expanding build variety and increasing the chaos potential. If you thought your runs were unpredictable before… you haven’t seen anything yet.

System Refinements

We’ve taken a hard look at core gameplay systems and made a wide range of balance tweaks and usability improvements. Many mechanics have been refined to feel tighter, clearer, and more responsive.

Performance & Optimization

We’ve significantly optimized both:

• Network performance (smoother multiplayer sessions, improved stability)

• Graphics performance (better frame pacing and overall optimization across hardware)

Steam Next Fest is a huge milestone for us as we push toward Early Access, and your feedback plays a massive role in shaping the game.

Jump into the updated demo, put the new systems and curses to the test, and let us know what you think. If you’re enjoying it, don’t forget to wishlist the game and share it with your friends, it makes a huge difference for us.

See you in Next Fest!

We’re jumping into the Mundo Gamer Showcase 2025 this December as Cursed Blood will be part of the lineup this year. It’s a very fine opportunity to get the game in front of more players, creators, and anyone who enjoys stylish mayhem we are working on.

We are very excited to be included, and you’ll get to see a little something from Cursed Blood during the event to hold you down while we continue working on the game.

Catch the showcase on the Mundo Gamer Network YouTube channel on December 20, 2025. We’ll drop any links, clips, or highlights here afterward for anyone who misses it or just wants to rewatch the carnage.

Thanks for hanging with us while we keep sharpening our katanas!

Guardians, you showed up with sharpened blades and even louder hearts. Animal Fest is wrapped, and the Shrine remembers every drop you spilled for us. To everyone who played, wishlisted, and got hyped about Cursed Blood this week, thank you. 

You also helped us cross 15,000 wishlists. That’s such a major milestone for our small, blood-soaked team. Balance demands sacrifice... but also celebration. 🎉 We will mark it properly with a little 15K ritual soon.

If the demo broke you in the best way, do three quick things to keep the Shrine growing:

• Hit Like on the Steam page so more warriors find the Shrine ✅

• Wishlist the game if you haven’t yet - it powers everything we do 🎁

• Share the page with a friend who needs a little crimson catharsis 🔗

The next slice is already in the works. Guardians, be ready to rise.

🩸💘 The Cursed Blood team

We’ve been rebuilding the Cursed Blood demo from the inside out to get it ready for the Animal Festival Showcase (Nov 10 to 17), and this new version brings major upgrades to combat flow, progression, visuals, and mid-run decision making. The goal: faster, clearer, bloodier, and more rewarding every time you swing a blade.

Here’s what’s new in the updated demo:

🩸 Merchant Rework

The merchant now stocks only high-impact blood boosts - no filler, no weak rolls. Every purchase should feel like a build-defining choice.

🩸 Blood Baths (New Feature)

A new shrine event where you pick 1 of 3 powerful blood boosts. No RNG punishment - just pure build-crafting and risk escalation.

🩸 Blood Fountain (Challenge Arena)

Unlock a contained battle arena where you must wipe out every enemy under pressure. Win, and the shrine rewards you with even more blood boosts. Lose, and, well… the stone remembers.

🗡 Knives Added

Fast, throwable, and extremely rude at close range. Use them to cause bleed, finish, or humiliate.

⚖️ Enemy Balance Pass

Enemies now hit harder, read cleaner, and fight fairer. Less stun-locking, more skill expression. Parry, dash, and riposte with intent.

🗡 Gear Unlock System Overhaul

Katanas + gear now unlock with Blood Orbs, a new currency earned through play. Clearer goals, faster progression, more satisfying mastery.

🎨 Visual Sharpness Upgrade

We’ve rebuilt the presentation pass for clearer silhouettes, better FX readability, and a sharper overall look. Same vibe, just more striking.

What This Means Going Into Animal Festival

This showcase is our first big step toward Next Fest and launch, and we want this demo to feel like a true first slice of the full game… That means fast runs, expressive combat, and builds that feel broken in the best way.

If you’ve played the old demo: this one is significantly different. If you haven’t: this is the version we want you judging us by.

We’ll be posting the full changelog and updated roadmap during the showcase — plus a call for new playtesters.

The Shrine opens again soon. Sharpen your rage.

Wishlist if you haven't. Bleed with us if you have.

🩸 Cursed Blood Balance demands sacrifice. Greed demands suffering.