Only near the end of this game did I discover that it's actually a prequel to an earlier game by the dev. There is a story to the game that acts more as background as you battle your way along but it has a satisfying culmination that likely feeds into the original game. You play as one of four 'Crimson Capes', a Witcher-esque witch/mage/demon hunter in the employ of the king.

It's tagged as a souls-like in Steam. It's definitely difficult and focuses on defeating bosses. In fact, to 'win' you don't have to make it through levels. Despite being a metroidvania, almost all of the map can be reached at any time without unlocking new abilities. Advancing to the final boss just takes beating all of the normal bosses, which can be done in any order.

I don't know what true souls-like fans would think of this but I liked it. The combat was definitely challenging. It's your basic dodge, parry, light attack, heavy attack, and special attack system. Dodge is kind of crap but parry is crucial. Interruption is a key mechanic in combat. Getting interrupted can lead to being destroyed but it works in reverse, as well. A well-timed parry staggers an enemy and allows both a devastating blow and a chance to interrupt and wittle down their health.

The background is suprisingly serene for the storyline. For a dark fantasy about hunting down mind-controlling mages or cannibal monsters, much of the backdrop is pleasant rolling hills with a birdsong score.

I played it on Steam Deck and it worked perfectly.