Deckbuilder
Ongoing coverage on Deckbuilder.
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After close to 140 hours with it, I think Slay the Spire 2 feels more like a sequel than a DLC, even if Megacrit was…
This analysis argues that Slay the Spire 2 feels more like a true sequel than a DLC, despite initial impressions. The author highlights significant changes in ancient relics, enemy design, and overall pacing that differentiate it from the original Slay the Spire. These subtle yet impactful shifts create a more engaging and constructive gameplay experience, leading the author to prefer it over the original.
One of BioShock's directors has been questioning the point of one of its key systems: 'I don't care about…
Jonathan Chey, co-founder of Irrational Games and director of BioShock, is exploring new design directions for immersive sims with his studio Blue Manchu's upcoming game, Godzone 6. He questions the necessity of certain systems in traditional immersive sims and believes that incorporating elements from roguelikes and deckbuilders, such as randomized choices and compressed replay cycles, can lead to more engaging and varied player experiences.
Black Jacket Released
The deckbuilder roguelite Black Jacket is now available on PC via Steam, with a 15% launch discount. Developed by Mi'pu'mi and Skystone, the game offers a roguelite experience.
What’s the Password? Is a Minimalistic Puzzle Game, Launching on Android Soon
What’s the Password?, a minimalistic puzzle game from solo developer Dan DiIorio of TrampolineTales, is set to launch on Android, iOS, and PC on May 28th, 2026. The game features over 100 puzzles focused on decoding 4-digit passwords, with a black and white visual style and support for 18 languages. It will be priced at $4.99 on the Google Play Store.
'We're doing something a bit more interesting': All Will Rise dev says its progressive deck-builder shouldn't be dumped in the 'woke, liberal bucket'
The developers of the upcoming deck-builder All Will Rise aim to create a game that is more than just a 'woke, liberal' title, focusing on progressive themes with a unique blend of card battles and choice-based narrative. Narrative director Meghna Jayanth and design director Hugo Bille discuss how the game uses interactive fiction elements and card mechanics to explore complex themes like climate activism and social change, encouraging players to imagine alternative futures.
Demos and Freebies
IKARUS, a game blending bullet-hell and roguelike deck-building mechanics, is available on Steam for PC and macOS. Players can dodge, parry, and shoot through waves of enemies in this strategic arcade shmup.
Hell Wait, a mahjong deckbuilder roguelike, announced for PC
Solo indie developer Mondbekker has announced Hell Wait, a riichi mahjong roguelike deckbuilder for PC. The game challenges players to survive multiple mahjong matches by reaching target scores, with mechanics inspired by Balatro. Hell Wait is planned for release in 2026, with a demo available during the June Steam Next Fest.
Solo Gamer's 2026 Playbook: 15 Games Worth Playing | TAG
This guide highlights 15 games in 2026 that are ideal for solo players, emphasizing experiences with no multiplayer pressure or mandatory online components. The list includes titles ranging from short narrative adventures like What Remains of Edith Finch to expansive RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring, catering to various playtimes and preferences. It also provides principles for choosing games that respect solo play, such as avoiding battle passes and prioritizing offline compatibility.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Roguelite Handmancers Launches Into Early Access on Steam Today
The first-person Rock-Paper-Scissors roguelite deckbuilder Handmancers, developed by 58BLADES and published by Human Qube Games, has launched into Steam Early Access. The game was delayed from its original March 9 release date, with the extra development time used to add more content and improvements, including a bonus boss. Handmancers is available for $14.99 USD on Steam.
Blackjack-inspired roguelite game Black Jacket launches this month
Publisher Skystone Games and developer Mi'pu'mi Games have announced that Black Jacket, their blackjack-inspired roguelite deckbuilder, will launch this month. The game is set to release for Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 on May 12th.
Soulslike Deck-Builder Death Howl Drops The Rebirth Update Across All Platforms
The Soulslike deck-builder Death Howl has received its first major update, The Rebirth Update, from developer The Outer Zone and publisher 11 Bit Studios. This update introduces a new Rebirth Mode with tougher enemies and enhanced abilities, as well as a Custom Mode allowing players to tailor their gameplay experience. The update also includes balance changes and new totems for the standard game modes.
Demos and Freebies
Stabjack is a roguelike blackjack deckbuilder available on PC via Steam. The game features a unique premise where players use a deck of cards and a talking knife to cheat their way to victory.
Pursue Your Happiness: Felicity Demo Now Available
The "live your life" deckbuilder Felicity, developed by independent studio naked, has released a demo on Steam. Players can choose personality cards and aspirations to shape their character's life, managing resources and facing random events. The game features 120 cards, personality modifiers, and life events, with a focus on achieving goals before life ends.
Cheat Fate and Stack the Deck - Stabjack Participating in Steam Deckbuilder Fest
The comic-noir blackjack roguelike Stabjack is participating in Steam's Deckbuilder Fest until May 11th, featuring a playable demo. Developed by Cosmic Cog LLC and published by Zemore Indie Games, the game blends blackjack mechanics with roguelike progression and first-person knife combat, allowing players to "cheat" to survive.
Pay off your debts to a greedy landlord in the seriously charming deckbuilder Cropdeck
Cropdeck is a charming farming roguelike deckbuilder where players use cards to grow crops and create combos to pay off a greedy landlord. The game blends progression systems similar to Slay the Spire with tile-based puzzles and a unique scarecrow mechanic inspired by Balatro. Despite its straightforward mechanics and a desire for more content, it offers a satisfying experience with runs lasting 30-60 minutes and a perfectly functional Linux version.
Save Your Beloved in Dark Fantasy Deckbuilder, The Vow: Vampire’s Curse
The Vow: Vampire's Curse is a dark fantasy deckbuilder from indie studio Mimyr Games, inspired by Into the Breach and Slay the Spire. Players take on the role of Richard, a knight resurrected to save his fiancée from vampires over seven nights, utilizing turn-based deckbuilding combat and strategic base defense. A demo featuring five nights is available on Steam, with the full release planned for 2026.
Upcoming indie Cardburners is part of the Steam Deckbuilder Fest
The upcoming indie game Cardburners, a fast-paced real-time card battler, is participating in the Steam Deckbuilder Fest. A demo will be available during the festival, with the full release on Steam scheduled for May 28th. The game emphasizes quick decision-making and features both solo and online versus modes.
Choose between Buddhist Star Trek, rad vinyl music, and forest fire deathgames in the latest PC releases
This week's PC game releases include a variety of genres, from a Buddhist-themed engineering puzzler called U.V.S. Nirmana to a forest fire-themed deathgame called Arsonate. Other notable titles include the music nostalgia game Wax Heads, the dancefloor brawler Dead as Disco, and the city-builder Amberspire.
Rogue Drone Hunter Playtest Goes Live During Steam Deckbuilder Fest
The public playtest for the indie action card battler Rogue Drone Hunter is now live on Steam as part of Deckbuilder Fest. The game combines real-time roguelike combat with strategic deckbuilding, featuring a customizable drone companion and procedurally generated environments. This limited-time playtest allows players to experience the core mechanics and provide feedback.
Unique deck-builder Moonsigil Atlas arrives May 28 - No energy, no mana, just space
The deck-building roguelite Moonsigil Atlas is set to release on May 28th, featuring a unique gameplay system without energy or mana, focusing instead on spatial placement of cards on a grid. Players can cast as many cards as they fit, with positioning and card upgrades playing a crucial role in combat. The game will launch with over 250 cards, three distinct characters, and a randomized map for replayability, and a refreshed demo is currently available.
