Cursed Companions: A Coop Dungeon Crawler Where Words Can Kill

Cursed Companions: A Coop Dungeon Crawler with a Twist of Horror and Forbidden Words

The dungeon crawler genre has been a staple in gaming since the early days of the industry, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for fresh ideas. Enter Cursed Companions, a unique coop-focused dungeon crawler with a twist that adds a layer of suspense, strategy, and horror. Developed by indie British studio Crimson Forge Studios, this game takes the traditional dungeon-crawling experience and mixes it with forbidden words, cooperative gameplay, and even a bit of social deduction.

Gameplay: Forbidden Words and Horrific Consequences

In Cursed Companions, you and your team explore dark, procedurally generated dungeons from a first-person perspective, solving puzzles and fighting monsters. But the catch is that the game listens to what you say—literally. Before embarking on your dungeon expedition, each player is assigned forbidden words, which, if spoken aloud, trigger dangerous consequences. These consequences could be as simple as taking damage, or as catastrophic as summoning a terrifying enemy or even eliminating one of your teammates.

The difficulty of managing this mechanic lies in the fact that many of the forbidden words are common phrases—things like “OK,” “I think,” or even “no.” While these words may seem like innocuous ways to communicate, they quickly become a liability in the tense and chaotic dungeon environment. Cooperation is key, but it’s made all the more complicated by the fact that even a casual word could turn the tide against you.

Voice as a Weapon (and a Risk)

While forbidden words pose a danger, your voice also holds power in this game. In fact, it’s central to your success. You can use specific verbal commands to interact with the environment—light torches, disarm traps, heal your allies, and even deal damage to monsters. For example, you might utter a command to trigger a fireball attack, or use a healing chant to save a teammate from the brink of death.

But it’s not just the environment that’s affected by your words. The dungeon is home to a variety of horrific monsters, including an animated meat grinder, a hostile moth, and even a terrifying bride—each more deadly than the last. The challenge is balancing your communication to avoid the forbidden words, while using your voice strategically to overcome these nightmarish creatures.

Procedurally Generated Dungeons and Character Development

The dungeons in Cursed Companions are procedurally generated, which means no two expeditions are ever quite the same. As you explore the ever-changing corridors, you’ll find powerful items to enhance your chances of survival. These include teleportation stones, ice wands, and even stench potions—each item offering a different advantage against the dungeon’s myriad dangers.

Your character can also be customized as you progress, allowing you to adjust your playstyle to suit your preferences. With each dungeon crawl, you’ll earn the opportunity to level up your abilities, improving your combat skills and giving you more options to handle the trials ahead.

Multiplayer Mayhem: Co-op, Endless Mode, and a Traitor Among Us

Designed for multiplayer gameplay, Cursed Companions supports up to 8 players in a single game, making teamwork essential to your survival. As you venture through the dungeons, you’ll encounter various modes to keep the action fresh.

The classic dungeon crawl mode is challenging on its own, but you can ramp up the intensity by diving into the tougher challenge mode or an endless survival mode. The goal in these modes is to push your team to their limits—how long can you survive before the dungeon finally gets the best of you?

Adding a touch of social deduction, Cursed Companions also includes a traitor mode, which takes inspiration from popular games like Among Us. In this mode, one or more players are secretly assigned the role of a traitor, whose job is to sabotage the team’s efforts. The rest of the group must figure out who the traitor is and eliminate them before it’s too late.

Cosmetic Customization and Your Own Home Base

Beyond the dungeons, Cursed Companions offers some light customization options to make your experience feel more personal. You’ll have a home base where you can decorate your living space however you choose. Whether you want to create a cozy hideaway or an ominous lair, the choice is yours.

Conclusion: A Fresh Take on Dungeon Crawling

Cursed Companions breathes new life into the dungeon crawler genre with its innovative use of voice-based mechanics, cooperative play, and horror elements. The added challenge of forbidden words creates a tense, high-stakes atmosphere, while the variety of game modes ensures that there’s always something new to explore. Whether you’re navigating traps, battling monsters, or trying to root out a traitor in your midst, every session is a thrilling, unpredictable adventure.

So, grab your companions, watch your words, and prepare for a dungeon crawl like no other—because in Cursed Companions, what you say could mean the difference between survival and doom.

If you like this review and want to see more like Cursed Companions, you can click here.  My snapchat is Cara_lynn97. Twitter and Instagram are the same. I stream on twitch multiple days a week! Be sure to follow me to see the live playthroughs of games and anything else I might do and post online.