Cursed Blood Opens Press Access to Early Access Build Ahead of Steam Next Fest

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Cursed Blood Opens Press Access to Early Access Build Ahead of Steam Next Fest

Hades meets Curse of the Dead Gods with the co-op play of Ravenswatch - A fast, brutal co-op roguelike built for players searching for their next obsession.

February 3, 2026 – David Marquardt Studios today announced that members of the press can now get an early access preview build of Cursed Blood, offering a deeper, more robust experience than the public demo planned for Steam Next Fest later this month, ahead of the game’s Early Access launch in April 2026.

Designed for players who love the tight combat loops, expressive builds, and “one more run” appeal of modern roguelikes, Cursed Blood delivers that same sense of mastery-driven progression, while pushing the formula further with seamless one to four player co-op, power-up building systems for synergy boosts, and relentless katana combat. The early access preview build gives press an extended look at how the game’s systems evolve over time, beyond the shorter slice available during Next Fest.

Players can experience the speed, aggression, and expressive gameplay that define Cursed Blood, including evolving world mutations, escalating boss encounters, and progression systems that reward experimentation and replayability across multiple runs.

“This build is meant to show what Cursed Blood becomes once you really spend time with it,” says David Marquardt, Creative Director. “The Steam Next Fest demo captures the feel of the game, but the early access version allows you to see the depth. You start to understand how builds evolve, how co-op changes the flow, and why it is the kind of roguelike you keep coming back to over and over again, whether you are playing solo or with a party.”
What Press Can Experience in the Early Access Preview Build

This early access preview represents a more complete version of Cursed Blood and is designed to give press a clear sense of the game’s long-term potential ahead of launch.

A Roguelike Built for Mastery and Replayability

Runs unfold through shifting world mutations, challenging arenas, randomized loot routes, and escalating challenges. Persistent progression unlocks new katanas and gear, and upgrades that meaningfully change how future runs play

Relentless High-Speed Katana Combat

Dash, deflect, parry, and carve through enemies with lightning-fast melee mechanics built around precision, momentum, and spectacle. Aggression is rewarded, and every strike feeds directly into the game’s blood-driven systems.

Co-Op That Expands the Roguelike Formula

Play solo or with up to four players in seamless online or local co-op. Split enemy aggro, chain combos, revive teammates, and survive escalating encounters together as the game dynamically adapts to group size and playstyle.

Blood as a Core Power System

Blood fuels the entire experience. Use it to heal, mutate yourself mid-run with blood boosts that change how you most optimally play. Builds evolve rapidly, encouraging experimentation and expressive play.
Hybrid Combat and Improvised Violence

Pick up guns from dead enemies, and fire point-blank at those remaining until the ammo runs dry. Throwweapons at their face before finishing the job with a steely stab through the heart. Mix katana combat with throwing knives, electric shuriken, and blood-powered abilities.
Mutating Boss Encounters

Bosses evolve mid-fight, gaining new patterns and aggression as arenas descend into chaos. Defeating them allows players to progress on their path for vengeance by sacrificing their heads to the vermillion shrine.
A Bloodpunk World of Ritual and Machinery

Explore a twisted world where industrial machinery collides with forbidden blood-powered technology. Biomes are filled with secrets, high-risk challenges, and progression opportunities that reward exploration.

Early Access Launch Details

Cursed Blood enters Early Access in April 2026, expanding on everything available in the press preview build with additional biomes, bosses, weapons, mutations, and co-op mode. A shorter public demo will be available during Steam Next Fest, offering players a focused introduction to the game’s core systems.

The early access preview build is intended to give press a meaningful understanding of Cursed Blood’s depth, identity, and long-term replayability, positioning it as a standout roguelike for players ready for their next challenge after Hades.