game where you do these sort of "corrupting" runs, gathering up power while an inquisition-esque enemy and a (romantically charged) rival tries to stop you from amassing this cult power.

structure was roguelike but it worked, it took multiple runs to tell it's story while showing a horribly bleak vision of some cursed eastern-european city where spirits are doomed to do the things they hate most in perpetuity.

starting run was like drinking with other freaks in squats or attending makeshift parties to get the cult ball rolling, collecting relics to enhance feedback loops and fighting off and subduing malignant spirits attracted by your growing influence.

2D sidescroller, kinda like katana zero. combat is fast-paced, especially with the rival who is a mirror in a lot of ways. encounters with rival are very sexually charged but not in a direct way, you win from them by achieving orgasm and kind of pulling them into your mania.