I think Karryn's Prison is the gold standard. Pretty much hits every category, good modding scene. Art is solid, etc. You don't have a curse at the start per se, but as you play you'll get stacked debuffs that effectively take on the role, making it increasingly difficult as you level up. Having a "pure" run requires multiple play throughs. One of the few RPGmaker games that I don't feel gets trivial.
https://f95zone.to/threads/karryns-prison-v1-2-7-20-dlcs-remtairy.33777/
I love Magical Girl Celesphonia, even if it kind of misses a bit on the strong unrivaled female protag vibe you and I enjoy. That said, it's just a good enough game with a solid corruption mechanic that I can overlook the main lead kind of missing for me. I'd say the game is good on its own, but the Chinese mod from ULMF is a must. I'd say it's mechnically the second strongest at getting at what you are looking for, but yeah, the high school MC is a miss for me and may be for you as well.
https://f95zone.to/threads/magical-girl-celesphonia-v1-07-shimobashira-workshop-kagura-games.116302/
Same vein, same developer, Ambrosia. Seems the jury is still out on which is better. I prefer Celesphonia, but many feel Ambrosia is better. I'd try both and find out for yourself.
https://f95zone.to/threads/ambrosia-v1-07-shimobashira-workshop-kagura-games.72813/
Servant Valkyrie might be worth a look. Pretty unique I'd say. Start as a defeated warrior princess who has to survive 20 days in her main rivals sex palace without being broken (or, you can just decide to fold and a dozen endings in between). Mostly about exploring and puzzle solving instead of combat. A Nier: Automata level of different endings invites you to play through multiple times, especially because you can't solve every puzzle every playthrough as some are mutually exclusive.
https://f95zone.to/threads/servant-valkyrie-v1-12-kuronekoguri.126824/
Nightmare Knight felt a bit short and the corruption mechanic wasn't entirely there. But I feel it was fast enough, narratively strong enough, and with good enough art to enjoy the ride. Has the classic lewd crest and a corruption system tied to it. Mostly comes down to decisions you make, combat is trivial. A warning for light NTR. I know that's polarizing.
https://f95zone.to/threads/nightmar...nd-the-magic-of-lust-v1-14-urayama-ya.172436/
Another one that ticks all of the right boxes is Horny Adventurer Karen. I felt it kind of ended when it was just getting going. Probably the least developed 'game' on this list. But worth checking out just because it hits every box conceptually. Another lewd curse situation, where the curse gets stronger with every fight you take. However, I think the idea falls a bit short. Still worth a look though I'd argue.
https://f95zone.to/threads/horny-adventurer-karen-sep-17-2022_mod2-dorirusakiika.154118/
Goblin Conqueror has the protagonist, but lacks some of the corruption mechanic elements. Attempts some things to try and break the regular RPGmaker over leveling problem, but I think the combat ends up being trivialized anyways once you figure out what is going on. Character is a dragon hunter in a world without dragons, so she has to start at the bottom in a new guild.
https://f95zone.to/threads/goblin-conqueror-final-banameir.176076/
Niplheim's Hunter - Branded Azel is another pretty solid one. At least, I remember it as such. Been a while since I played it. But it has the proper strong MC with a lewd crest deal. Will need to play it again at some point...
https://f95zone.to/threads/niplheims-hunter-branded-azel-final-blacktrain.15962/
Honourable Mention to Eris Dysnomia and Ayrua Crisis, both from Above Damage Tile. They are action games, but they stand out as actually having solid controls, fun mechanics, and progression. They also have a corruption system which can make them harder as well.
