If you’ve spent any time on the Xbox Store recently, you might have scrolled past a striking, black-and-white title called Curse Rounds. Developed by the Brazilian indie studio Tentacles Interactive and published by QUByte Interactive, this budget-friendly roguelike aims to stand out in a crowded genre by doing the exact opposite of its peers.

Instead of building an unstoppable god-tier character with buffs, Curse Rounds asks a much more devious question: Which way would you like to suffer?

Here is my look at whether this 1-bit shooter is worth your time and a few bucks.

The Hook: Pick Your Poison

The core mechanic of Curse Rounds is its “Curse” system. In most roguelikes (think Hades or Vampire Survivors), you finish a level and pick a power-up. In Curse Rounds, you finish a level and are presented with two “Curse Cards.” You must pick one.

These curses range from the mildly annoying—like slippery floors or a slightly jamming gun—to the run-endingly brutal, such as enemies that duplicate when hit or a screen-shaking effect that triggers every time you fire. With over 60 curses in the deck, no two runs feel identical, and the strategy shifts from “how do I get stronger?” to “how do I survive my own bad luck?”

Gameplay: Simple, Frantic, and Retro

The game is a top-down, single-screen shooter. You start with 10 lives and a basic pistol (which is actually a flashlight in the lore). The controls are tight: you move, you shoot, and you have a dash with generous invincibility frames.

The presentation is a love letter to the 1-bit era. The monochrome pixel art is crisp and surprisingly expressive, with 30+ enemy types that are all instantly recognizable despite the lack of color. The lo-fi chiptune soundtrack ties the whole “vintage PC” aesthetic together perfectly.

The Highs (The Pros)

• The Price Point: At around $4.99 / £4.19, it is an absolute steal. It provides a level of “just one more run” polish that punches way above its weight class.
• Unique Progression: The “lesser of two evils” choice makes every victory feel earned. It’s a refreshing change of pace for roguelike veterans who are tired of the standard “more damage” upgrades.
• Performance: It’s optimized for Xbox Series X|S and supports Smart Delivery, meaning it runs butter-smooth with virtually no load times.
• Accessibility Options: Despite its stark 1-bit look, there is a greyscale mode for players who find the high-contrast black-and-white too taxing on the eyes.

The Lows (The Cons)

• Visual Noise: When the screen fills with 20+ enemies, bullets, and “curse” effects like rain or screen-shake, it can become a chaotic mess. It’s easy to lose track of your character in the monochrome madness.
• Isometric Issues: The slight isometric tilt of the camera can occasionally make hitboxes feel “off.” You’ll swear you dodged a projectile only to lose a life because of the perspective.
• Lack of Meta-Progression: If you’re looking for a deep “skill tree” or permanent upgrades that carry between runs, you won’t find them here. It’s a pure arcade experience, which might feel a bit “thin” for players who want a long-term grind.
• HUD Placement: Occasionally, small enemies can hide behind the health bar in the corner, leading to some “cheap” hits that feel unfair.

Final Verdict

Curse Rounds doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it just tries to set the wheel on fire and see if you can still drive it.

Play it if: You love high-difficulty arcade shooters, enjoy the 1-bit aesthetic, and want a quick game you can jump into for 20 minutes between bigger AAA titles.

Skip it if: You get motion sickness from screen-shake effects, prefer a steady sense of permanent progression, or find high-contrast visuals straining.

Final Thought: It’s a “curse” that’s surprisingly easy to recommend. For the price of a coffee, you’re getting a stylish, challenging, and endlessly replayable indie gem that honors the “Nintendo Hard” era of gaming while adding a modern psychological twist.

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