Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus

Indiesruption and Blowfish Studios have announced that their macabre pixel-art graphic adventure Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus will launch across all major platforms on 25th August 2025. This haunting sequel to Vlad Circus: Descend into Madness promises a chilling journey through parallel timelines and psychological horror, priced at $19.99 across PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

A Mind Fractured by Trauma

Curse of Asmodeus places players in the role of Josef Petrescu, a disfigured, voiceless protagonist stripped of all memories following a traumatic circus fire in 1920s San Reno. This vulnerable state creates an unsettling foundation for the adventure, as players must piece together Josef’s fractured past whilst navigating the psychological aftermath of unimaginable trauma.

The narrative explores Josef’s investigation into his brother’s ill-fated circus spectacle, building upon the events of the previous game whilst delving deeper into the supernatural forces that plague the cursed town. The absence of voice and memory creates unique storytelling challenges that should enhance the game’s atmospheric horror.

Parallel Timeline Mechanics

The core gameplay mechanic involves traversing warped worlds entangled with parallel timelines, allowing players to experience different versions of events and uncover clues that exist across multiple realities. This temporal manipulation appears central to both puzzle-solving and narrative revelation, as players must understand how past and present interconnect.

Mind-bending puzzles require both skill and decisive thinking, with the constant threat that failure could result in Josef’s complete mental breakdown. This high-stakes approach to puzzle design should maintain tension throughout the experience whilst reinforcing the protagonist’s fragile psychological state.

Confronting Asmodeus

The titular demon Asmodeus serves as the primary antagonist, described as a malevolent entity that devours human sanity and revels in suffering. This supernatural threat provides both narrative focus and gameplay consequences, as Josef must confront his painful past to challenge the demon and potentially break the tormenting curse.

The circus setting naturally lends itself to themes of illusion and misdirection, which lead designer Diego Cánepa emphasises as paramount to the experience: “Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus incorporates these elements to create a spine-chilling journey that calls for courage and wit to uncover an unforgivable truth and make it out alive!”

Atmospheric Pixel Art Horror

The game’s visual presentation relies on eerie and fragmented pixel art details to bring this chilling world to life. The deliberate choice of retro aesthetics allows for both nostalgic appeal and artistic expression that can convey horror through suggestion rather than explicit imagery.

The 1920s setting provides rich atmospheric potential, with the contrast between the period’s perceived elegance and the underlying supernatural corruption creating compelling visual and narrative tension.

Rescue and Redemption

Beyond personal survival, Josef must rescue lost friends whilst solving the overarching mystery, adding altruistic motivations to what might otherwise be purely self-preservation. This broader scope suggests that the curse affects more than just the protagonist, creating stakes that extend beyond individual psychological horror.

With support for multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, and Russian, Curse of Asmodeus aims for broad international accessibility when it launches later this month.