TECHMASH

Tag: #Deckbuilder

  • Grid-Based Tinkering: Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder ‘Stones of Power’ Enters Closed Beta!

    Grid-Based Tinkering: Thinky Roguelite Deckbuilder ‘Stones of Power’ Enters Closed Beta!

    If you’ve ever stared at a merchant in Slay the Spire, absolute tears in your eyes because you have to fork over 100 gold just to remove a basic strike card, indie developer Pointless Games has some incredibly good news for you.

    Their highly anticipated “thinky” roguelite deckbuilder, Stones of Power, has officially entered its closed beta phase. Along with a brand-new gameplay trailer, this major milestone marks the first time players can get their hands on the game’s unique grid-based tactical mechanics.

    Here is why this is one indie strategy game you’ll want to keep on your radar.

    What is Stones of Power?

    At its core, Stones of Power is a deckbuilder, but instead of playing cards that immediately vanish into a discard pile, you are playing magical stones onto a grid-based board.

    • A Living Board: Unlike traditional card games where actions are played in isolation, the stones you place in Stones of Power remain on the board.
    • Tactical Grid Play: Success relies on pushing, pulling, and positioning your stones to create chain reactions, disrupt enemy plans, and outsmart your foes.
    • The “Trading” Economy: Instead of paying a premium to purge bad cards, players construct and refine their decks by trading stones. You buy, sell, and manage your coins to actively manipulate your build’s synergy between encounters.

    “I wanted to create a game where each turn incrementally evolved from something simple into something more complex. Every new stone the player places gives more possibilities to explore, rewarding careful planning, clever positioning, and creative thinking.” > — Mattias Selin, Creator of Stones of Power

    Why Strategy Fans Should Be Excited

    Stones of Power is designed specifically for players who love the “joy of tinkering.” Rather than leaving your fate entirely up to the RNG gods, the game heavily rewards clever positioning and calculated experimentation. Every run is a puzzle of your own making, where a single, well-placed stone can completely cascade into a game-breaking build.

    Developed on a custom Java engine (built on top of LibGDX) for PC and Linux, the game is shaping up to be a highly polished, deep, and satisfyingly cerebral experience.

    How to Get Involved

    With the closed beta officially underway, Pointless Games is looking for players to jump in, test their strategic limits, and provide feedback.

    If you want to secure your spot in the beta or simply keep up with development:

    • Head over to the Stones of Power Steam Page to add it to your wishlist.
    • Join the active community on the Pointless Games Discord to grab a beta key and share your wildest game-breaking synergies.

    Find out more here

    #StonesOfPower #PointlessGames #IndieGames #PCGaming #Roguelite #Deckbuilder #GamingNews #TechMash

  • High Stakes, Dark Vibes: DEAD SPIN is the Horror Slot-Machine Deckbuilder of Your Nightmares

    High Stakes, Dark Vibes: DEAD SPIN is the Horror Slot-Machine Deckbuilder of Your Nightmares

    Move over, traditional card battlers. There is a new, twisted player entering the roguelike deckbuilding arena, and it wants you to gamble with your literal life.

    Independent developer Strong Monkey Games has officially revealed DEAD SPIN, a deeply unsettling horror roguelike deckbuilder that swaps out the standard sword-and-sorcery decks for something far more addictive—and deadly. The game is heading to PC via Steam, and the best part? You don’t have to wait to see if luck is on your side, because an open Steam Playtest is live right now!

    Check out the official announcement trailer below to see the madness in action:

    Step Inside the Abandoned Casino

    DEAD SPIN drops you into a grimy, abandoned casino where you are forced into high-stakes slot-machine duels against a cast of lunatic gamblers and masked captors. This isn’t just about pulling a lever and hoping for three cherries; it’s a tactical psychological battle where chance meets deep strategic planning.

    To survive, you’ll need to master the art of the spin. Instead of drafting a traditional deck of cards, you shape your luck by building out a deck of symbols, chips, and coins.

    Cheat the Odds or Face the Punishment

    The game brilliantly blends roguelike meta-progression with intense risk-management strategy. Here is what you can expect when you sit down at the cabinet:

    • Massive Synergy Scaling: With over 250 collectable items at launch—including 100+ special symbols, 50+ special chips, and consumable trinkets—you can stack effects, trigger massive score multipliers, and manipulate the rules to bend the odds in your favour.
    • Eclectic, Dangerous Bosses: Every run pits you against more than eight unique opponents. Each boss boasts their own distinct playstyle, custom decks, and dirty tricks, forcing you to completely pivot your strategy based on whatever random loot you uncover.
    • The Retro Horror Aesthetic: DEAD SPIN looks like a cursed VHS tape unearthed from the late ’90s or early ’00s. Its grimy, low-fi presentation is dripping with dark, grotesque humour and an oppressive atmosphere that turns every bad spin into a heart-pounding moment of dread.
    • Endless Mode: Think your build is completely broken and unstoppable? Test it against relentless, scaling challenges long after you finish the main progression.

    Join the Open Steam Playtest Right Now!

    If you love the tense strategy of Balatro or Luck be a Landlord, but wish they had the sinister, mind-bending atmosphere of Inscryption, DEAD SPIN is a must-play.

    There are no keys required and no waitlists. Simply head over to the official DEAD SPIN Steam Page, hit “Join the Playtest,” and see if you have what it takes to outscore your captors and spin for your freedom.

    DEAD SPIN is slated for a full release on PC via Steam in late 2026. Make sure to add it to your Wishlist to support the developers!

    Find out more here

    #DeadSpin #StrongMonkeyGames #HorrorGames #Roguelike #Deckbuilder #IndieGames #SteamPlaytest #GamingNews #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Kill the Dealer: Bloodthief Dev Announces Grimdark Blackjack Roguelike ‘Blackout Jack’

    Kill the Dealer: Bloodthief Dev Announces Grimdark Blackjack Roguelike ‘Blackout Jack’

    If you spent 2025 pulling off high-speed, hyper-violent vampire parkour in the overwhelmingly positive boomer-slasher Bloodthief, solo developer Blargis is about to hand you a completely different kind of deck. But don’t expect a relaxing night at the casino.

    Blargis has officially pulled back the curtain on Blackout Jack, an upcoming story-driven, grimdark blackjack roguelike heading to PC via Steam. And if you’re eager to try your luck, you won’t have to wait long: the game’s first Steam playtest is officially launching on July 15.

    The House Always Wins… Until You Kill the Dealer

    Blackout Jack twists the familiar, high-stakes math of classic blackjack into a tense, tactical struggle for survival. Set in the rain-slicked, crooked alleys of a seedy medieval city, this isn’t just a game about beating the house—it’s a game where the house wants to take your literal mortality.

    The core loop places you at a table against a sinister, death-dealing dealer. Your ultimate, secret objective? Murder him. To do that, you’ll need to survive card rounds by building insane combos and powerful deck synergies. You aren’t just hitting or standing; you’ll be manipulating the odds using:

    • Card-altering elixirs and boons to bend the rules.
    • Life-paid chips and multipliers to maximise your damage.
    • Strange relics were purchased from the local hostess using blood gems.

    “I wanted to create an experience that blended a strong sense of mystery and narrative with the kind of gameplay where numbers keep going up and every run feels like it can spiral into something bigger.” — Developer Blargis

    Explore a City Built on Secrets

    What makes Blackout Jack particularly intriguing is that the game doesn’t end at the edge of the card table. When you step away from the dealer, you’ll be able to roam the grim midnight streets of the city.

    The urban underbelly is populated by unscrupulous characters, shady denizens, and fellow conspirators. By exploring, you can uncover hidden tools like lockpicks and poisons, pick up cryptic lore, and buy vital items to stack the deck in your favour for your next run.

    Naturally, death is a heavy feature in this grimdark world. But in true roguelike fashion, a gruesome game over isn’t the end. While death resets the night, you keep essential knowledge. Every failed run brings you one step closer to decoding the dark conspiracy binding the city together and permanently forcing the dealer to cash out.

    Join the Playtest on July 15

    If you love the psychological tension of Inscryption mixed with the addictive, rule-breaking card math of Balatro, Blackout Jack looks like it’s going to be a must-play.

    Head over to the official Blackout Jack Steam Page right now to hit that wishlist button, and keep your eyes peeled for the playtest drop on July 15!

    Find out more here

    #IndieGames #BlackoutJack #GamerNews #Roguelike #Deckbuilder #SteamGames #PCGaming #Grimdark #Bloodthief #Blargis

  • All Aboard! Fogpiercer Brings Post-Apocalyptic Train Battles to PC Next Month

    All Aboard! Fogpiercer Brings Post-Apocalyptic Train Battles to PC Next Month

    The strategy masterminds at Hooded Horse and indie developers Mad Cookies Studio have dropped a massive announcement that is bound to heat up your summer gaming schedule. Get ready to engineer your deck, load your miniguns, and brace for impact: the highly anticipated roguelite train-battling deckbuilder, Fogpiercer, officially pulls into the station next month!

    Mark your calendars for July 17, 2026, because a post-apocalyptic summer of intensely tactical, card-modding, bandit-blasting fun is headed straight your way.

    What is Fogpiercer?

    Imagine a world swallowed by a deadly, perpetual fog where humanity’s last hope rests on the tracks of a rampaging armoured locomotive. In Fogpiercer, you are the conductor of this high-octane survival expedition.

    Unlike traditional deckbuilders, your deck is directly tied to the construction of your train. Every locomotive, carriage, and driver you choose adds distinct tactical tools and cards to your hand. As you travel through bandit-infested wastelands, you’ll gather resources to customise, upgrade, and expand your train to survive a relentless onslaught.

    Key Gameplay Features to Get Excited For:

    • Tactical Grid Combat: Engage in turn-based battles where positioning is everything. With limited action points, you’ll need to outsmart convoys that outnumber and surround you.
    • Environmental Devastation: Use the battlefield to your advantage. Ram bandits off cliffs, deploy shields, or use heavy artillery to send a leading enemy vehicle tumbling backwards, causing explosive chain reactions into the convoy behind them.
    • Endless Customisation: With over 170 cards, a deep modding system, and various status effects, you can craft a deck that perfectly matches your playstyle—whether you prefer brute-force firepower or high-tech hacking and decoys.
    • Branching Post-Apocalyptic Routes: Fine-tune your journey across hazardous regions filled with unique modifiers, random narrative encounters, and ruthless boss battles.

    Where and When to Play

    You won’t have to wait long to take the engineer’s seat. Version 1.0 of Fogpiercer will be officially released on July 17, 2026.

    The game will be available for PC across all major storefronts, so you can pick it up exactly where you like to play:

    • Steam
    • GOG
    • Microsoft Store (including Xbox App for PC / PC Game Pass)

    Whether you are a seasoned roguelite tactician or a deckbuilding enthusiast looking for a high-speed twist on the genre, Fogpiercer looks like it’s going to be a must-play title for the summer. Head over to your storefront of choice and add it to your wishlist today to make sure you don’t miss the departure!

    Are you ready to fight through the fog? Let us know your thoughts on the trailer and your ultimate train-deck strategy in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #GamingNews #Fogpiercer #HoodedHorse #MadCookiesStudio #Deckbuilder #Roguelite #PCGaming #Steam #GOG #XboxPC #IndieGames #StrategyGames #TechMash

  • Roll the Dice: Viractal Version 1.3.0 Brings Yggdra Union Crossover and Brutal New Challenges to Steam

    Roll the Dice: Viractal Version 1.3.0 Brings Yggdra Union Crossover and Brutal New Challenges to Steam

    Fans of tabletop strategy and tactical deckbuilding, it is time to assemble your party once more—and perhaps question their loyalty all over again. Developer and publisher STING has officially rolled out the massive Version 1.3.0 update for its hit board game RPG, Viractal: Will You Trust Your Party?, currently sitting at a “Very Positive” rating on Steam.

    This fifth major update opens up a gateway to another world, introducing a legendary tactical RPG crossover, a punishing new endgame stage, and an entirely new card mechanic that will fundamentally shift how you build your decks.

    Here is everything packed into the major Version 1.3.0 update.

    Sword Maiden Yggdra Joins the Fray

    The highlight of the 1.3.0 patch notes is undoubtedly Bahoko’s Otherworld Summoning Vol. 2. Game Master Bahoko has reached into the STING archives to pull a fan-favourite icon into the miniature world of Viractalia: Sword Maiden Yggdra from the classic tactical RPG Yggdra Union!

    Yggdra arrives as a fully playable character with a highly strategic, cooperative kit. She functions as a brilliant support-frontliner who scales directly with your team’s coordination:

    • The Union Mechanic: Yggdra’s unique ability increases her offensive power when her allies share the same elemental attributes. The tighter your team’s synergy, the harder she hits.
    • Tactics Cards: Fan-favourite skills from Yggdra Union have been beautifully reimagined as Skill Cards in Viractal.
    • The Ultimate Trump Card – Crusade: When things look grim, Yggdra can unleash her signature skill, which pools together the attack power of every single card in your party’s hand for one cataclysmic, game-ending strike.

    New Endgame Stage: Sky Harmonia+

    Think you’ve mastered the board? Think again. STING has introduced Sky Harmonia+, a brand-new, high-difficulty stage explicitly designed to test seasoned adventurers.

    Aside from scaling up the danger, this stage introduces the terrifying Ambush Tile mechanic. Enemies standing atop these special-colored pedestals will not wait for your turn to start—they will launch a devastating preemptive strike before the battle screen even loads. If you plan to survive Sky Harmonia+, meticulous deck management and defensive preparation are mandatory.

    Unleash High-Risk, High-Reward ‘Instant Cards’

    Version 1.3.0 fundamentally changes the rhythm of combat with an entirely new card classification: Instant Cards (marked by a distinct symbol).

    Unlike standard Skill Cards, Instant Cards cannot be upgraded, but they possess raw, unmitigated power far beyond normal cards. The catch? Once you play an Instant Card, it is permanently removed from your deck for the rest of the battle. This introduces an incredible layer of tactical flexibility. They serve as perfect “panic buttons” to bail you out of a desperate situation without permanently bloating your deck pool with high-cost cards for future turns.

    Balance Tweaks and Optimisation

    Alongside the fresh content, STING has dropped a handful of quality-of-life adjustments to make your runs smoother. The random ability acquisition system has been retuned to prioritise rewarding you with abilities you don’t already own, making build-crafting feel far more rewarding. Several underperforming cards—like Stonebone Gnaw+—have also received notable balance buffs.

    If you haven’t yet dived into Viractal’s brilliant blend of procedurally generated boards, tricky multiplayer social deduction, and satisfying card combat, there has never been a better time to grab your dice.

    Viractal: Will You Trust Your Party? Version 1.3.0 is live right now on Steam.

    Find out more here

    #Viractal #StingGames #YggdraUnion #SteamGames #BoardGameRPG #IndieGaming #Deckbuilder #PCGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Clock In, Pray Hard: Satirical Deckbuilder ‘PrayPal’ Turns Divine Intervention into a Corporate Nightmare

    Clock In, Pray Hard: Satirical Deckbuilder ‘PrayPal’ Turns Divine Intervention into a Corporate Nightmare

    If you’ve ever looked at your corporate HR handbook and thought, “Wow, this feels like an eternity in purgatory,” then we have some good news. Well, “good news” depending on how much you love dark humour, roguelike deckbuilders, and crushing bureaucratic dread.

    Publishers GCORES PUBLISHING and developer Yith Game have officially announced PrayPal—a satirical roguelike deckbuilder where faith isn’t a spiritual journey; it’s a monetised KPI.

    According to the official press release, the teams are “thrilled (and legally obligated by HR to say they are thrilled)” to bring this divine corporate nightmare to life.

    Welcome to Heaven, Inc.

    In PrayPal, you aren’t fighting monsters for glory. You are navigating the ultimate corporate ladder: the afterlife.

    Instead of traditional mana or energy, you’ll be managing Divine Capital. Your cards aren’t magic spells—they are bureaucratic mandates, prayer subscriptions, and HR-approved miracles. Want to smite a rival department? That’s going to require three rounds of approvals and a synergy meeting.

    Key Features to Sync About:

    • Synergise Your Deck: Build a deck of “Miracle Manifestos” and “Compliance Clauses” to survive tactical turn-based grid encounters.
    • Corporate Roguelike Progression: Every run changes as you climb the corporate celestial ladder. Fail your performance review, and it’s back to the mailroom (or worse, the mortal realm).
    • Dark Satirical Humour: A sharp, witty critique of modern corporate culture, microtransactions, and tech-bro jargon, all wrapped in a beautifully polished indie aesthetic.

    Capitalise on the Trailer

    The developers have dropped a teaser that perfectly captures the aesthetic: a mix of clean, sterile corporate UI and chaotic, god-tier bureaucracy. Check it out to see how your next quarterly review might just determine the fate of your soul.

    Whether you’re a fan of Slay the Spire or just someone who has answered one too many emails that “could have been a meeting,” PrayPal looks to be a hilariously bleak addition to your Steam wishlist.

    Stay tuned to TechMash for a definitive release date and hands-on impressions. Until then, remember to log your hours, optimise your prayers, and circle back with us later.

    Find out more here

    #PrayPal #IndieGames #Roguelike #Deckbuilder #GCORES #YithGame #GamingNews #TechMash #PCGaming #Satire #SteamGames

  • Shuffle, Dodge, Win: The Golden Swirl Updated Demo is Now Live on Steam!

    Shuffle, Dodge, Win: The Golden Swirl Updated Demo is Now Live on Steam!

    Gamers, grab your decks and stretch those thumbs. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you smash the tactical brainpower of a roguelike deckbuilder into the high-octane, sweat-inducing chaos of a bullet-hell evasion game, we have your answer.

    Snako Production and Infini Fun have officially dropped an updated Steam demo for their upcoming genre-defying title, Golden Swirl—and it is every bit as chaotic and addictive as it sounds.

    What is Golden Swirl?

    Let’s be honest: the indie gaming scene is flooded with deckbuilders right now. But Golden Swirl isn’t just trying to ride the wave—it’s actively making a splash.

    The developers describe it as a “mould-breaking fusion of deckbuilding strategy and action-combat evasion.” In practice, that means you aren’t just sitting back, calmly playing cards, and waiting for your turn. You are actively dodging incoming attacks in real-time while trying to draft the perfect synergy of cards to take down your foes. It’s a test of both mental strategy and physical reflexes. Think Slay the Spire meets your favourite high-intensity twitch-reflex arcade game.

    What’s New in the Updated Demo?

    If you played an earlier iteration of the game, it’s time to re-download. The teams at Snako Production and Infini Fun have been hard at work cooking up refinements based on community feedback. While they’re keeping some surprises close to the chest for the full release, this updated demo promises:

    • Smoother Combat Transitions: The handoff between card selection and real-time dodging feels more fluid than ever.
    • Rebalanced Card Pools: New synergies to discover and fewer “dead weight” drafts.
    • Polished Visuals and UI: It’s easier to read the battlefield when things get hectic (which is always).

    The Verdict: If you love the strategic depth of card games but occasionally crave the adrenaline rush of a rogue-lite action game, this is a must-play.

    How to Play

    The updated demo is free and available right now on Steam.

    Head over to the Steam store, search for Golden Swirl, and see how long you can survive the beautiful, golden chaos. Don’t forget to add it to your Wishlist if you want to support the developers!

    Have you played the new demo yet? What’s your ultimate card combo? Let us know in the comments below!

    Source – https://s.team/a/3353800

    #PCGaming #IndieGames #GoldenSwirl #Deckbuilder #SteamDemo #GamingNews #TechMash #SnakoProduction #InfiniFun

  • Boot Up the Nostalgia: Village Studios Unveils ‘Hack ’95’ at PC Gaming Show—And the Demo is Live!

    Boot Up the Nostalgia: Village Studios Unveils ‘Hack ’95’ at PC Gaming Show—And the Demo is Live!

    Hold onto your floppy disks and fire up your dial-up modems, because the golden age of computing is making a massive, neon-soaked comeback.

    In a worldwide exclusive at the PC Gaming Show, developer Village Studios officially announced Hack ’95—a computer hacking RPG that brilliantly mashes up retro desktop simulation with tactical card-battling mechanics. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like an elite Hollywood hacker from a 90s thriller, this is your ticket back to yesteryear.

    Even better news? You don’t have to wait until the late nineties to play it. A free demo is live on Steam right now!

    Dialling Into the Plot: Geeks, Freaks, and Big Tech Conspiracy

    Set in a fictionalised, pixel-perfect reimagining of 1995, the game drops you into the shoes of an employee at the shady Axis Megasystems. Your elite hacker best friend, mega_hurtz, has gone missing under incredibly suspicious circumstances, and it’s up to you to navigate the corporate desktop infrastructure to uncover the truth.

    To solve the mystery, you’ll have to hack your way from underground IRC chatrooms straight to the heart of an evil tech startup and a shadowy government agency. The writing team features some serious industry pedigree, with the script overseen by veteran games journalist and bestselling author Keith Stuart, and game direction by Will Luton (formerly of SEGA and Rovio).

    According to Stuart:

    “The culture of the internet and videogames in this era was so weird and dark, yet wildly optimistic. And although it’s set in ’95, the story is really about rebelling against big tech and regaining the freedom of the net. It couldn’t be more timely.”

    Cyberpunk Meets Yu-Gi-Oh: How It Plays

    Instead of forcing you to memorise actual command lines or C++ strings, Hack ’95 translates cyber warfare into a highly addictive, pick-up-and-play deck-builder. Heavily inspired by 90s trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh, you’ll draw scripts, viruses, and hijacked computer protocols to overpower the firewall defences of target devices.

    Outside of the card battles, the game is an immersive love letter to old-school operating systems. You’ll be browsing the web on “Navigate ’95,” dodging flaming GIFs, listening to licensed 90s dance bangers from artists like N-R-G and Nookie, and taking advice from Assistant Bert—an incredibly helpful, mildly incontinent virtual pug who acts as your Microsoft Clippy-style companion for federal cybercrimes.

    Jack In From Today

    Hack ’95 perfectly captures the thrill of exploring someone else’s desktop, discovering forbidden folders, and sticking it to the man—all while a CRT filter warms your eyes.

    The full game is coming to PC, but you can download the Hack ’95 Demo on Steam today to play through the opening sequence, test out your deck-building skills, and meet Assistant Bert.

    Let us know in the comments below: What’s your favourite piece of 90s tech nostalgia?

    Source

    #Hack95 #PCGamingShow #IndieGames #Deckbuilder #RetroGaming

  • Solo Studio, Six Figures: Battle Waves: Mobile Smashes 100K Downloads in First Week

    Solo Studio, Six Figures: Battle Waves: Mobile Smashes 100K Downloads in First Week

    The mobile gaming market is notoriously tough to crack, especially for solo developers competing against massive studios with endless marketing budgets. But every now and then, a true indie gem breaks through the noise.

    Enter Battle Waves: Mobile, the debut title from solo developer Gabriel Langlois of Gabriel’s Games. Just seven days after launching for free on iOS and Android, this fast-paced, real-time deck-building card-battler has officially crossed a major milestone: 100,000 downloads on Google Play worldwide.

    Securing a six-figure download count in its first week is a massive win for a single-person studio, proving that compelling gameplay loops still reign supreme.

    Why Is Battle Waves: Mobile Exploding?

    If you haven’t jumped into the fray yet, Battle Waves: Mobile masterfully blends the tactical strategy of a card-driven deck-builder with the chaotic, fast-paced intensity of an auto-battler.

    The game operates on a deceptively simple loop: Outsmart. Outbuild. Outbattle. Players assemble custom decks from various fantasy factions, carefully managing resources in real-time to deploy waves of minions. The goal? Counter the enemy’s oncoming forces and smash their base before they can destroy yours.

    The game has struck a chord with both solo and competitive players by offering:

    • Deep Faction Synergies: Dozens of card combinations that reward strategic experimentation.
    • Ranked PvP: Global leaderboards where players can test their deck-building skills against real opponents.
    • An Endless Campaign: A beefy five-act single-player campaign featuring an infinite New Game Plus mode.

    Winning Over the Community

    The success isn’t just limited to Google Play, either. Over on the iOS App Store, five-star reviews have been pouring in, with a particularly strong reception leading the charts in the United States, France, and Germany.

    What makes this milestone even more impressive is how the developer is handling the sudden influx of players. Instead of sitting back to celebrate, Gabriel’s Games has already rolled out its first major wave of post-launch updates. Acting directly on community feedback, the solo dev has patched four of the most-reported launch issues, tuned combat balance, and polished the user interface.

    “Launch week was intense in the best way,” Gabriel Langlois said regarding the milestone. “I wanted to stay close to players and make the game a little better every single day… Crossing 100,000 downloads is incredible, but what I’m proudest of is that the game is already stronger than it was on day one.”

    It’s that kind of dedication that turns a viral launch into a long-term community hit. With a rock-solid foundation, rapid developer support, and a rapidly growing player base, Battle Waves: Mobile is definitely a title to watch in the mobile esports and strategy scenes.

    Battle Waves: Mobile is available to download right now for free on the App Store and Google Play.

    #BattleWavesMobile #IndieDev #MobileGaming #DeckBuilder #AndroidGames

  • Handmancers Just Dropped Its First Major Early Access Update, and It’s a Total Knockout

    Handmancers Just Dropped Its First Major Early Access Update, and It’s a Total Knockout

    If you’ve ever wanted to turn a high-stakes game of Rock-Paper-Scissors into a literal fight for survival, Handmancers is the game you didn’t know you were waiting for.

    Earlier this month, indie developers 58BLADES and Human Qube Games unleashed their bizarrely brilliant first-person, Rock-Paper-Scissors roguelite deckbuilder on Steam. The gaming community immediately embraced the chaos, driving the game to a “Very Positive” player reception right out of the gate.

    But they aren’t resting on their laurels. Today, the devs officially dropped the game’s first major Early Access update, and it’s packed with exactly the kind of strategic depth and absurd fun fans have been begging for.

    What is Handmancers? (The Quick Throwdown)

    For the uninitiated, Handmancers takes the childhood playground classic and injects it with pure, unadulterated roguelite deckbuilding adrenaline. You navigate a treacherous world in a first-person perspective, using a literal “deck of hands” to cast spells, counter enemy traits, and bash monsters.

    It’s tactical, it’s fast-paced, and yes, throwing a perfectly timed “Paper” to completely smother an enemy’s devastating “Rock” feels exactly as satisfying as it sounds.

    Inside the First Major Update

    Following a wave of community feedback from the initial launch, this new update focuses on expanding the game’s replayability while sharpening its mechanical edge. Here is what players can look forward to:

    • New Cards & Combos: Expand your tactical arsenal with a fresh batch of hand gestures and modifiers that will completely shift how you build your deck.
    • Balance Tweaks & Quality of Life: The devs have fine-tuned enemy AI and card scaling, ensuring that your runs feel fair, challenging, and addictive.
    • Expanded Run Variety: New encounters and unexpected events have been added to the map, meaning no two descents into the arena will feel the same.

    A Note from the Devs: 58BLADES and Human Qube Games have expressed massive gratitude to the community for the explosive launch. They’ve made it clear that this is just the first step in a robust Early Access roadmap driven entirely by player feedback.

    Why You Should Jump In Right Now

    It’s rare for an Early Access game to hit the ground running with such a polished, highly-rated gameplay loop. If you’re a fan of deckbuilders like Slay the Spire but want something with a vibrant, quirky, first-person twist, Handmancers is easily one of the most refreshing indies of the year.

    The new update is officially live. Grab your deck, stretch out those fingers, and go show those monsters who rules the playground.

    Source – https://s.team/a/2423290

    #Handmancers #IndieGames #Deckbuilder #SteamEarlyAccess #GamingNews

  • Neon Beats & VHS Tapes: Echo Generation 2 Drops Today on Game Pass, Xbox, and PC!

    Neon Beats & VHS Tapes: Echo Generation 2 Drops Today on Game Pass, Xbox, and PC!

    Dust off your Walkman and get your deck ready, because the suburbs are getting weird again.

    Indie powerhouse Cococucumber has officially launched Echo Generation 2, the highly anticipated sequel to their award-winning 2021 turn-based adventure. This time around, the developers are trading traditional RPG mechanics for a sci-fi deckbuilding twist, and it’s available right now.

    Whether you’re playing on PC (via Steam or Xbox on PC), Xbox Series X|S, or streaming via the Cloud, you can dive into the mystery today. Best of all? It’s a Day One Xbox Game Pass release.

    What is Echo Generation 2?

    If you missed the first game, think Stranger Things meets EarthBound, wrapped in a gorgeous, neon-soaked voxel art style.

    Set in the tail-end of the 1980s, Echo Generation 2 follows a crew of suburban kids investigating strange, extraterrestrial occurrences in their hometown. However, instead of the standard turn-based battles from the original, the sequel shifts gears into a deep, tactical deckbuilder. You’ll collect cards, build powerful combos, and use retro-inspired gadgets to battle mutated creatures, rogue mechs, and alien threats.

    The Vibe: Crisp voxel graphics, a pounding synthwave soundtrack, and a heavy dose of nostalgia that feels both familiar and entirely fresh.

    Launch Details & Pricing

    If you aren’t an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you can pick up the game standalone starting today. Cococucumber has launched the title with very reasonable regional pricing:

    • UK: £22.49
    • US: $24.99 USD
    • Canada: $29.99 CAD

    Given the depth of the new card-battling mechanics and the sheer charm of Cococucumber’s worlds, this is an absolute steal for indie sci-fi fans.

    Are you ready to save the neighbourhood? Fire up your Xbox or Steam Deck, download your copy, and let us know what you think of the new deckbuilding direction in the comments below!

    Source – https://s.team/a/1115990

    #EchoGeneration2 #IndieGames #XboxGamePass #Deckbuilder #SciFiGaming

  • Hacking the Future: Into The Grid Drops Massive Metaprogression Update for Steam Deckbuilders Fest

    Hacking the Future: Into The Grid Drops Massive Metaprogression Update for Steam Deckbuilders Fest

    The neon-soaked streets of the digital frontier just got a lot busier. Flatline Studios has officially pulled the curtain back on the most substantial update to their cyberpunk roguelike deckbuilder, Into The Grid, since its Early Access launch last November.

    Timed perfectly with the kick-off of the Steam Deckbuilders Fest (May 4–11), this update—version 0.3.0—is more than just a balance pass. It’s a total overhaul of how you experience the climb through the corporation-controlled cyberspace of 2112.

    Zero-Grind, Maximum Power: The Metaprogression Overhaul

    The centrepiece of this update is the brand-new Metaprogression System. For many roguelike fans, “metaprogression” often translates to “endless grinding for +1% health.” Flatline Studios is taking a refreshingly different path with their Zero-Grind Philosophy.

    • Hardware Mods: You can now customise your console before you “jack in.” The update introduces over 30 unlockable Hardware Mods (out of a planned pool of 100+). These range from flat stat boosts to game-altering perks that synergise with specific deck archetypes.
    • The Mission System: Every run now features level-based objectives. Completing these missions doesn’t just give you in-run rewards; it accelerates your progress toward unlocking new hardware and abilities, ensuring that even a failed run feels like a step forward.
    • New Currencies: By playing, you’ll earn Experience, Software, and Hardware Points. These are used to tailor your Runner to your specific playstyle—whether you prefer brute-forcing through firewalls or a more surgical, stealthy approach.

    A Fresh View of the Grid

    Navigating a digital labyrinth requires a clean interface, and the team has delivered a fully redesigned Map UI. The new look isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s built to handle the complex variables introduced by the new Hardware Mods, keeping the tactical map readable even when your runner is loaded with high-end tech.

    “We are incredibly proud of this update, which takes Into The Grid one step further into the vision we always had for the game, with tons of content and replayability.” — Bruno Annetta, Co-founder of Flatline Studios.

    Celebrating at the Steam Deckbuilders Fest

    If you’ve been on the fence about diving into this “dungeon crawler meets deckbuilder” hybrid, now is the time. Into The Grid is currently featured in the Steam Deckbuilders Fest, joining heavy hitters like Balatro and Inscryption.

    For those new to the game, it stands out with its unique VIM (Virtual Memory) dual-resource system. Every card you play generates VIM, which can then be spent on powerful Commands—special abilities that sit outside your deck to help mitigate the RNG of a bad draw.

    Patch 0.3.0 Highlights at a Glance:

    FeatureDetails
    Hardware Mods30+ new unlockable pre-run perks.
    Mission System~40 objectives that shape run demands and rewards.
    Map UITotal overhaul for better readability and scaling.
    BalanceTweaks to “Trace” mechanics and Haven node healing.
    QoLNew keybinding options (paving the way for future controller support).

    How to Play

    Into The Grid is available now in Early Access on Steam. If you aren’t ready to commit your credits just yet, there is a free demo available that includes the recent visual overhauls and core gameplay mechanics.

    Are you ready to jack back in and take down the mega-corps? Let us know your favourite Hardware Mod combos in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2576200

    #FlatlineStudios #IntoTheGrid #cyberpunk #roguelike #deckbuilder #dungeoncrawler #EarlyAccess #Steam #SteamDeckbuildersFest #MetaprogressionUpdate #Map #UI

  • Deal With the Devil: Narrative Deckbuilder ‘Black Jacket’ Hits Platforms May 12th

    Deal With the Devil: Narrative Deckbuilder ‘Black Jacket’ Hits Platforms May 12th

    If you’ve spent the last year chasing the ultimate high in Balatro or navigating the creepy corridors of Inscryption, your next obsession has a name—and a release date. Mi’pu’mi Games and Skystone Games have officially announced that Black Jacket, their dark, narrative-driven roguelite deckbuilder, will launch on May 12, 2026.

    Forget the flashy lights of Vegas; this game takes the “high stakes” of gambling quite literally. You aren’t just playing for chips—you’re playing for your soul.

    The Premise: Blackjack, but in Hell

    Black Jacket takes the core mechanics of blackjack (get to 21, don’t go bust) and twists them into a supernatural struggle for survival. Trapped in the afterlife, players find themselves amongst a sea of restless spirits. The goal? Collect enough coins to bribe the Ferryman for a ticket back to the land of the living.

    However, the spirits you face aren’t just NPCs; they are tragic figures with their own stories, curses, and unique playstyles. In a striking stylistic choice, you never see their faces—only their hands. Every gesture and card flick tells a story, making every match a psychological puzzle as much as a tactical one.

    Strategy Beyond Luck

    While “luck of the draw” is a factor in any card game, Black Jacket focuses heavily on rule-bending strategy. As you progress, you’ll build a deck that allows you to:

    • Manipulate Values: Force your opponents to overcommit or lower their card totals at the last second.
    • Swap Cards: Steal a high-value card directly from an opponent’s hand.
    • Uncover Combos: Discover “impossible” card combinations that defy the standard rules of the game.
    • Control the Deck: Peek into your own future draws or mess with the dealer’s deck.

    “Black Jacket is about more than just luck,” says the team at Mi’pu’mi Games. “It’s about learning to control the game flow, outsmart your rivals, and uncover their stories.”

    Launch Details

    Developed by the Vienna-based Mi’pu’mi Games (known for their rich storytelling) and published by Skystone Games (founded by industry veterans David Brevik and Bill Wang), Black Jacket is shaping up to be a standout indie title for 2026.

    • Release Date: May 12, 2026
    • Platforms: PC (Steam & Microsoft Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
    • Demo: If you can’t wait until the 12th, a demo is currently available on Steam featuring expanded mechanics and new enemies.

    Whether you’re a strategy buff or a narrative junkie, Black Jacket looks like a safe bet for your “Must Play” list this month. Just remember: in this game, the house always wins… unless you learn how to cheat death.

    Are you ready to ante up your soul, or will you fold under the pressure of the afterlife?

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3100370

    #MipumiGames #SkystoneGames #BlackJacket #roguelite #deckbuilder #gamble #souls #restlessspirits #afterlife #PC #PlayStation #Xbox #NintendoSwitch

  • Deckbuilding Meets Cosmic Horror: Voice of Belldona Hits Steam This May

    Deckbuilding Meets Cosmic Horror: Voice of Belldona Hits Steam This May

    Prepare to step into a world where cosmic instability isn’t just a background detail—it’s a way of life. Developer Storycrop and publisher Okasan’s Recipe have officially announced that their highly anticipated sci-fantasy roguelike deckbuilder, Voice of Belldona, will be launching on PC via Steam on May 20th, 2026.

    If you are a fan of Slay the Spire but wish it had a darker, Warhammer 40K-inspired aesthetic mixed with JRPG flair, this is definitely one to add to your wishlist.

    A World on the Brink

    In Voice of Belldona, humanity’s last-ditch effort to save a collapsing universe resulted in the creation of a white-haired, godlike girl with overwhelming power. The catch? She has a massive case of social anxiety. As players navigate the Vortex Zone, they’ll take on the role of this unlikely saviour, summoning allies and forming tactical battle lines to tear through cosmic horrors and corrupted machines.

    Tactical Depth and High Stakes

    This isn’t your average “play cards and win” deckbuilder. The game places a heavy emphasis on positioning and timing. Key features include:

    • Dual Protagonists: Choose between heroes like Rinsana, who dashes head-first into the fray, or Griza, who commands the field with powerful summons.
    • Dynamic Deckbuilding: Every path you take in the Vortex Zone alters the cards you can obtain, meaning no two runs are ever the same.
    • Tactical Formations: Your position on the battlefield matters just as much as the cards in your hand.
    • Dark Cosmic Aesthetic: Encounter everything from twisted robots to “winged god-engines” in a beautifully bleak sci-fantasy setting.

    “Every choice reshapes your build, and every build opens new ways to outsmart the void.”

    Ready for Launch

    After a successful closed beta and a highly-rated demo that garnered “Very Positive” feedback from the community, the full release promises expanded content, refined gameplay systems, and a deeper progression path.

    The countdown is on. Will you be the one to reach the True Ending and survive the folding reality? Mark your calendars for May 20th and head over to the Voice of Belldona Steam page to wishlist it now.

    Are you ready to face the void, or will the cosmic pressure be too much? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2223420

    #DeveloperStorycrop #OkasansRecipe #VoiceofBelldona #scifantasy #roguelike #deckbuilder #PC #Steam #videogames #gamers #gaming