Catherine HuSummary: This guide explains how long The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith takes to complete, covering average playtime for dungeon runs, weapon crafting progression, and the elements that influence total gameplay length.
The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith is a roguelike dungeon crawler blending turn-based tactical combat with real-time weapon forging—players explore procedurally generated dungeons while crafting over 100 unique weapons to uncover lost memories and discover the truth of a mysterious world. With its souls-like difficulty and extensive crafting systems, playtime varies from focused story runs to comprehensive completion.
In this guide, we’ll break down estimated completion times, detail the dungeon progression structure, and explain how different playstyles affect session length. You’ll also discover how XMOD can enhance your experience through performance optimization and quality-of-life improvements.
Table of contents
- What is The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith?
- How long is The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith?
- The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith Chapter List
- All Objectives in The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith
- How Can You Enhance The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith Gaming?
- Conclusion
What is The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith?
The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith is a single-player roguelike dungeon crawler RPG developed and published by Ason, scheduled for release in 2025 for PC via Steam. The game combines elements from roguelike dungeon crawlers, souls-like difficulty, and crafting simulation genres.
You play as a cursed character awakening with no memories in a mysterious world. Armed with a powerful dark sword, you must explore ever-changing dungeons to recover lost memories and uncover the truth behind this strange realm where dim light shifts from azure to crimson.
Core gameplay combines procedurally generated dungeons with randomized maps on every entry ensuring unique layouts and challenges, turn-based tactical combat where enemies move immediately after you requiring careful strategic planning, on-the-spot weapon forging allowing you to craft from over 100 unique weapons mid-dungeon using collected materials, erosion system creating pressure as a corruption meter climbs toward 100% forcing risk-reward decisions, and permanent progression through Soul collection for upgrades and Memory discovery advancing the narrative.
The game features RPGMaker-style 2D pixel graphics with anime aesthetics, fully voiced Japanese dialogue for all 6 main characters with real-time 2D animations, and over 20 elite enemies each voiced by Japanese voice actresses. Boss battles test both tactical knowledge and weapon mastery across challenging encounters.
How long is The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith?
Since the full game is scheduled for a 2025 release, these are estimated times based on the game structure and roguelike mechanics.
- Single Dungeon Run:
- 1–2 hours for experienced players navigating efficiently, managing the Erosion meter, and reaching deeper floors.
- 20–45 minutes for failed runs due to tactical mistakes or resource mismanagement.
- Story Completion (First Playthrough):
- 15–25 hours to complete the main narrative across all chapters, defeat primary bosses, collect major Memories, and reach the core truth of the world.
- Main Story + Weapon Mastery:
- 25–35 hours for players who explore the extensive weapon crafting system, forge multiple weapon types from the 100+ available options, optimize builds, and complete side objectives.
- Completionist Playthrough:
- 40–60+ hours to experience all content, including:
- Forging every weapon in the catalog.
- Collecting all Souls for complete permanent upgrade trees.
- Discovering all Memory fragments for full lore understanding.
- Defeating all elite enemies and bosses.
- 40–60+ hours to experience all content, including:
- Roguelike Mastery / Replayability:
- 60–100+ hours for dedicated players focused on long-term mastery, which involves:
- Perfecting tactical combat strategies.
- Completing challenge runs (e.g., self-imposed restrictions).
- Speedrunning dungeon clears.
- Thoroughly exploring all procedural dungeon variations.
- 60–100+ hours for dedicated players focused on long-term mastery, which involves:
Key Factors Extending Playtime:
- Roguelike Replayability: The structure is built around replayability. Each dungeon entry generates new map layouts, enemy placements, and resource distributions.
- Extensive Customization: The 100+ unique weapon builds encourage extensive experimentation and optimization.
- Permanent Progression: The Soul-based progression system encourages repeated runs to power up permanently, extending the time invested.
- Tactical Pacing: The turn-based tactical combat makes individual runs feel substantial and strategic, focusing on thoughtful play rather than action-focused grinding.
The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith Chapter List
The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith structures progression through story chapters discovered during dungeon exploration. Below is a complete breakdown from awakening to truth revelation.
Phase 1 – Awakening in Darkness
Begin in complete darkness with no memories or understanding of your situation. Experience the mysterious awakening as dim light transforms from azure to crimson. Learn core turn-based combat mechanics where enemies move immediately after your action, requiring careful tactical consideration. Master basic weapon forging using initial materials found in early dungeon floors. Understand the Erosion system—a corruption meter that builds as you delve deeper, creating increasing danger when approaching 100%.
Phase 2 – Early Dungeon Exploration
Navigate procedurally generated dungeon floors with randomized layouts on each entry. Practice tactical positioning as enemies respond to every move you make. Begin collecting materials and experiment with the real-time weapon forging system to create your first custom weapons from dozens of available options. Discover Souls that provide permanent upgrades persisting across runs. Encounter voiced elite enemies and learn their attack patterns and weaknesses.
Phase 3 – Weapon Mastery Development
Deepen your understanding of the 100+ weapon catalog, each with unique skills and tactical applications. Learn to craft situational weapons mid-dungeon based on enemy types and floor hazards. Manage the Erosion meter strategically—balancing deep exploration for better rewards against corruption risk. Utilize accessories and items to enhance survival chances during extended runs. Face your first major boss battles testing both tactical knowledge and weapon optimization.
Phase 4 – Memory Recovery
Discover Memory fragments scattered throughout dungeons revealing your character’s backstory and the world’s mysteries. Unlock new dungeon areas and harder floors as story progression advances. Meet and interact with the 6 fully voiced main characters through real-time 2D animated dialogue sequences. Encounter increasingly dangerous elite enemies requiring mastered tactics and optimized weapon builds. Navigate deadly trap systems that punish careless exploration.
Phase 5 – Deep Dungeon Challenges
Face high-difficulty floors demanding perfect tactical execution and weapon synergy understanding. Manage critical Erosion levels where a single mistake ends your run. Complete challenging boss encounters against voiced adversaries with complex attack patterns. Optimize Soul collection for powerful permanent upgrades that transform future run capabilities. Unlock advanced weapon forging recipes requiring rare materials from dangerous enemies.
Phase 6 – Truth Revelation & Endgame
Progress toward the final truth about the cursed blacksmith, the mysterious world, and your lost identity. Face climactic boss battles testing everything learned across your journey. Experience story resolution determined by Memories collected and choices made throughout exploration. Access endgame content including hardest dungeon floors, ultimate weapon crafting challenges, and completionist objectives for dedicated players.
All Objectives in The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith
The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith challenges players to master tactical combat while managing weapon crafting and corruption pressure. Here’s a breakdown of all objectives guiding your dungeon journey.
Main Objectives
Core objectives revolve around survival and story progression:
Explore procedural dungeons: Navigate randomly generated floors with unique layouts, enemy placements, and resource distributions on every entry, requiring adaptability and tactical flexibility.
Master turn-based combat: Excel in strategic battles where enemies move immediately after you, demanding careful positioning, attack timing, and resource management for survival.
Manage Erosion system: Balance deep dungeon exploration for better rewards against the corruption meter climbing toward 100%, creating constant risk-reward tension.
Recover lost memories: Discover Memory fragments throughout dungeons to piece together your character’s backstory and uncover the truth of this mysterious world.
Combat & Tactical Objectives
Deeper engagement through battle mastery:
Perfect tactical positioning: Learn optimal movement patterns for turn-based combat where every step matters, exploiting terrain advantages and enemy weaknesses while avoiding unfavorable engagements.
Elite enemy mastery: Defeat over 20 unique elite enemies, each fully voiced and featuring distinct attack patterns requiring specific tactical approaches and weapon counters.
Boss battle victories: Overcome challenging boss encounters testing both strategic knowledge and weapon optimization, demanding pattern recognition and resource efficiency.
Trap navigation: Identify and avoid deadly dungeon traps that punish careless exploration, learning to spot environmental dangers before they trigger.
Crafting & Progression Objectives
Systematic weapon development and permanent growth:
Master weapon forging: Learn the on-the-spot crafting system allowing real-time weapon creation mid-dungeon, choosing materials wisely to forge optimal weapons for current situations.
Forge 100+ weapons: Experience the complete weapon catalog, each with unique skills and tactical applications, from basic starter equipment to legendary endgame armaments.
Soul collection: Gather Souls from defeated enemies and dungeon exploration for permanent upgrades that persist across runs, gradually building power for deeper progression.
Accessory optimization: Collect and utilize accessories and items strategically to enhance survival capabilities, compensate for weaknesses, or amplify strengths.
Material management: Develop efficient resource gathering and material prioritization strategies for crafting the most impactful weapons given limited inventory and situational needs.
Exploration & Narrative Objectives
World discovery and story engagement:
Memory discovery: Find all Memory fragments hidden throughout procedural dungeons to unlock complete narrative understanding and character backstory.
Character interaction: Experience fully voiced dialogue sequences with all 6 main characters featuring real-time 2D animations, building relationships and understanding motivations.
Dungeon variation mastery: Adapt to infinite procedural dungeon layouts, learning to read new environments quickly and adjust tactics to unexpected floor configurations.
Secret discovery: Uncover hidden areas, rare materials, and optional challenges scattered throughout randomly generated dungeons.
Meta & Completion Objectives
Long-term engagement through systematic mastery:
Complete weapon catalog: Forge every weapon in the 100+ weapon collection to experience full tactical variety and crafting depth.
Perfect progression: Maximize Soul-based permanent upgrade trees to achieve full character power potential across multiple runs.
Challenge completion: Attempt self-imposed difficulty restrictions, speedruns, or minimal-damage clears testing true mastery of combat and crafting systems.
Roguelike replayability: Embrace the infinite procedural variation, experiencing unique dungeon configurations and developing adaptable strategies rather than memorized routes.
How Can You Enhance The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith Gaming?
XMOD provides tools to customize and optimize your roguelike journey, allowing you to tailor the game’s challenge and focus on your preferred playstyle.
Key Enhancements:
- Performance Optimization: Stabilizes frame rates for a smoother tactical experience, crucial for turn-based combat with complex effects.
- Combat & Progression Assistance:
- Adjust the Erosion meter and difficulty to practice exploration and learn boss patterns without the constant pressure of permadeath.
- Accelerate the collection of Souls and crafting materials to experiment with permanent upgrades and the vast weapon catalog without excessive grinding.
- Quality-of-Life & Crafting Support:
- Use UI enhancements and gameplay analyzers to track combat efficiency and resources more clearly.
- Experiment freely with the weapon forging system by unlocking recipes early or accessing material databases to plan optimal builds.
By using XMOD, you can reduce repetitive grinding, mitigate performance issues, and focus on mastering the deep tactical combat and extensive crafting systems at your own pace.
Important Notes:
- Always back up your saves before applying any modifications, as roguelike save structures can be complex.
- Full trainer support from XMOD will be available upon the game’s official release to ensure compatibility.
XMOD will provide full trainer support upon the game’s official release, ensuring compatibility and stability from day one.
Conclusion
The Shimmering Horizon and Cursed Blacksmith offers a deep roguelike dungeon crawler where playtime scales with your dedication to its tactical combat and crafting systems. Completing the core story takes an estimated 15-25 hours, while achieving full mastery and completing the entire arsenal of over 100 unique weapons can extend the experience to 60-100 hours or more.
The game’s high replayability stems from its classic roguelike structure, featuring procedurally generated dungeons, souls-like difficulty, and a deep weapon forging system that encourages repeated runs for permanent progression. Its turn-based tactical combat demands thoughtful engagement, creating a deliberate pace where every decision is critical.
For players looking to personalize their journey, tools like XMOD can be used to tailor the experience. These can adjust the game’s difficulty pressure, accelerate weapon experimentation, allow for risk-free strategy practice, or enhance performance. Whether your primary draw is the strategic combat, the extensive crafting, the procedural challenges, or the mysterious narrative of a cursed forge, this game provides a distinctive and rewarding dungeon crawler worth mastering.
