- Apr 26
- 3 min read

Dala and the Cursed Forest

Updated: Aug 13

Dala and the Cursed Forest is a roguelike deckbuilder with a unique card fusion mechanic.

Combine cards to create powerful synergies, earning Cells to transform Dala into powerful forms changing up the gameplay!

Not just challenging, but also beautiful and cute. Characters are hand-drawn, inspired from Thai mythology and childhood tales. Blending Southeast Asian cultures with deck-building fun.

Game Title : Dala and the Cursed Forest

Genre : Roguelike Deckbuilder, Strategy, Turn-Based

Platforms : PC (Steam)

Company : Zai Studio

Wishlist now on Steam : https://store.steampowered.com/app/2748770/Dala_and_The_Cursed_Forest

Inspiration :

Dala and the Cursed Forest started with the idea of using Thai elements to make a unique game for players around the world. At first, Dala was a thesis project for an action-adventure game.

Later, when Zai Studio was looking for promising projects to work on, Dala was one of the options. After trying out an early version, the team discovered that this game offered both beauty and enjoyment, potentially creating new opportunities for Zai Studio.

We then entered Dala in a contest called the depa Game Accelerator Program batch 2, where it won in the Strategy game category. This win was a big push for us to keep developing the game. Even though we're a small team, we believe that size doesn't limit what we can achieve. In the end, we took our chance, worked hard, and brought Dala to where it is today.

Game Concept :

Dala and the Cursed Forest is a roguelike deckbuilder with a unique card fusion mechanic. Join Dala, the Mutant maiden, on her quest to explore the cursed forest and restore peace to her cherished sanctuary. With hand-drawn visuals and strategic gameplay, transform Dala into powerful forms to battle against mythical creatures.

Gameplay :

Choose from distinct decks to start off your run.
Strategically play, combine, and transform cards while using different items to overcome an array of creatures.
Earn rewards and discover new cards throughout your journey.
Conquer over the forbidden forest and restore peace to Dala’s sanctuary.
Start over from the beginning when you die!

Game Feature:

Deck-Building: Build the deck the way you want to play .
Card Fusions: Combine different cards to create a more powerful card.
Transformations : Transform Dala into different forms unlocking new cards and abilities.
Thai Cuisine & Shopkeeper : Cook special dishes, discover items, and buy upgrades.

Unique Event: Surprise encounter that blesses and curses your run.

Dala Skill and Fairy Talent Tree : As you journey further, spend your hard-earned currency to enhance Dala's abilities and unlock powerful fairy talents, shaping your preferred playstyle.