Five approaching roguelike deckbuilders piqued my interest due to their significant deviations from the conventional structure:
Unleashing the Unconventional in the Roaming Chaos of Deckbuilders
Hop aboard the deckbuilding escapade, where fresh takes are serving up a delectable blend of strategy, unpredictability, and gaming gold bars. New roguelikes are popping up faster than you can say "level up" on Steam, with some significant titles on the horizon. brace yourself, as Monster Train 2 is gearing up for its May 21 release, and Slay the Spire 2 is slated to arrive later this year.
But the star-studded duo isn't the only reason to keep those eyes peeled. A few upcoming roguelikes have snagged our attention by offering a fresh spin on the usual formula, and these offerings come straight from the honeycomb heart of the gaming industry. So, if the repetitive grid layout of heroes, enemies, and neatly arranged card decks has lost its charm, dive into these 5 deckbuilders that are bracing to make some noise in the gaming world. And guess what? Some are already available for your teasing fingertips!
Shroom & Glimmer: Double Down on Decks, explore like never before
Gather 'round, dear gamers! Devolver Digital, in its generous wisdom, has decided to back Shroom & Glimmer from Team Lazerbeam, slated for early access later in 2025. This roguelike roars into the scene, boasting a refreshing first-person perspective, allowing you to traverse the mystical underground tunnels that serve as the background for your battles and exploration.
But there's an added twist here - you'll build not one, but TWO separate decks tailored for combat against an array of mushroom monstrosities and exploration, letting you dig up new cards, pick locks on chests, and even cook up a pot of mushroom soup for those late-night snacking sessions. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Dive right in with the demo currently spicing up your Steam library.
The Royal Writ: Send your cards to meet their demise
Get ready to don the royal battle gear and lead your loyal cards into fierce combat against marauding bandits and brigands in The Royal Writ! Manage your cards in enticing rows and watch them charge towards the enemy's strongholds. But alas, beware the moment a card reaches the end of the row before the battle is won, for this Korean-inspired strategy game spells a permanent, grim fate for that hapless card.
As a king, you'll feast on the flavor of the colorful tale unfolding in a peculiar animal kingdom teetering on the brink of war, enjoying the thrill of betting on horses, dessert at the dentist, and classic tabletop games featuring tooth currency. A demo for this deckbuilder is making its grand entrance this week, while the full game is set to grandiloquently arrive later in 2025.
Into the Restless Ruins: Architect your dungeon, then conquer it
If you eye twinkles with delight at the thought of constructing your own dungeon before plunging into its depths, then rejoice, for Restless Ruins is here for you. Join the party this May, as the demo unravels its wonders today, and the full game unfurls its dungeon-crawling adventure tomorrow. Impress your friends by putting together a labyrinthine series of chambers, carefully crafting rooms that complement each other and offer strategic advantages such as campfires, libraries, and portals.
Then dance your way through the carefully constructed maze in a Vampire Survivors-like autobattling style, preparing yourself for the ultimate showdown against the game's myriad challenges. Wear your puzzle-solving hats and let the adventure begin!
As We Descend: Roll the dice, master the deck, rule the city
Dust off your strategy Cloaks and grab your trusty gaming mouse! If a fascinating blend of dice mechanics, deckbuilding, and steampunk strategy sounds up your alley, then buckle up for As We Descend, which is set to take off on May 28. In this mesmerizing city-builder, your utopia can only survive if your citizens rally behind you, so ply them with policies and resources scattered throughout the various levels.
Keep a watchful eye on the border, for massive eldritch horrors threaten to invade your territory. Balance your front-line warriors with support ranks, guide your ascension through the planet by tunneling beneath the earth, and build a city that can withstand the test of time. Are you ready to rule with wisdom and style?
A Journey through Gaming History with Five More Minutes
Why limit yourself to a single game universe when you can dabble in every genre under the sun? In Five More Minutes, embark on a thrilling journey through the tapestry of gaming history, padding your deck with cards that span RPGs, horror, platformers, sports, and more. Incorporate the charisma of Link, the grit of Chris Redfield, and the spirit of your gaming idols as you navigate the challenges of multiple genres in this roguelike ode to gaming.
Ready, set, conquer! May these upcoming deckbuilders bring another level of excitement and innovation to your gaming nights. Happy gaming!
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An Unforgettable Leap through the Gaming Vortex with Five More Minutes
Why shackle yourself to a single universe when you can traverse the inventive world of gaming in a single bound? Five More Minutes grants you the power to fashion your deck as you journey through the pulsating veins of gaming history, facing down the challenges of multiple genres, from RPGs to horror to platformers and beyond. Build an intimidating force by juxtaposing the wisdom of Link with the fierceness of Chris Redfield, and prepare yourself for a roguelike symphony of epic proportions.
And remember, when the darkness closes in, press on with the indomitable spirit of the gaming voyager, for it is in the labyrinth of level ups and colossal boss battles that we forge our legends. Good luck, adventurer! May your gaming journey be both exhilarating and unforgettable.
Dedicated to the Roguelike Chronicler
In the murky depths of the gaming world, the brave and unrelenting hunt for the perfect deckbuilder. Our resident card connoisseur, Christopher Livingston, tirelessly journeys through the genre's underbelly, taking notes on its emerging trends and uncovering secrets hidden within its, well, cards. A lover of offbeat simulation games and the secrets bubbling below the surface of NPCs, Christopher has graced PC Gamer with his boundless wisdom and unquenchable thirst for card-based combat since 2014. Brava, maestro!
[1] Monster Train 2 Release Date
[2] Slay the Spire 2 Announcement
[3] Shroom & Gloom – Devolver Digital
[4] The Royal Writ
[5] Into the Restless Ruins – Steam
[6] As We Descend – TinyBuild
[7] Five More Minutes – Steam
[8] Christopher Livingston – PCGamer
- In Shroom & Glimmer, a new deckbuilder arriving in 2025, players will venture into the mystical underground tunnels, constructing and managing two separate decks tailored for combat and exploration.
- The Royal Writ offers a fresh take on deckbuilders, with a focus on card management in battle lines and a unique permanent card death mechanic, set to release later in 2025.
- Restless Ruins, available in May, allows players to architect their own dungeon, autobattling through the labyrinthine series of chambers and facing various challenges in a Vampire Survivors-like fashion.
- As We Descend, launching on May 28, blends dice mechanics, deckbuilding, and steampunk strategy, requiring players to lead their citizens to victory while warding off massive eldritch horrors within a city-builder setting.
- Five More Minutes invites gamers to explore a thrilling journey through gaming history, building a diverse deck with cards from multiple genres such as RPGs, horror, platformers, sports, and more.
