The Curse Of Mantras is a single-player dating sim and visual novel set in a supernatural afterlife, with optional turn-based card battles. Players select between two protagonists, Lily or Ace, both avatars of death, and navigate a world populated by other deceased individuals who embody the four elements or the arcana of life and death.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on story progression through dialogue choices and relationship building. After waking in the afterlife, the player meets a guide named Mantras who explains the rules and introduces companions aligned with specific elements or arcana. Each companion carries an Order or Chaos alignment, and the protagonist must select one alignment to form a team. Romance develops with up to ten characters through repeated interactions, leading to multiple scenes per route. The optional card system involves collecting and upgrading more than 120 cards, split between creatures and spells categorized by element, arcana, and alignment. Battles occur in a turn-based format where deck construction and card synergies determine outcomes, though the narrative can advance without engaging these mechanics.
Game Modes
The experience operates primarily in a visual novel format that emphasizes choice-driven storytelling and character development. An optional card battler layer activates during specific sequences, requiring players to build and refine decks for confrontations against opposing teams. A dedicated visual novel mode unlocks all story content after alignment selection, bypassing the need for repeated battles. Two distinct endings branch from major decisions, with additional variations tied to individual romance paths.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds in the Afterlife, where the player works to recover memories of past lives through a music box device. Companions represent elemental and arcana avatars, each with unique backstories that intersect during team conflicts between Order and Chaos factions. Romance options exclude only the opposing death avatar, resulting in ten potential love interests. The tone includes mature themes, with explicit content available along several routes.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception on Steam stands at Mostly Positive based on available reviews. The title suits players who enjoy character-driven visual novels combined with light strategic elements in a supernatural setting. Those seeking pure romance or story focus can disable the card battles entirely, while fans of deck building will find depth in the optional system with its creature and spell variety. The game launched in 2022 for PC and receives no ongoing seasonal content. Availability remains limited to a one-time purchase with no free modes or trials noted.
