Tag: #Deckbuilder

  • Take to the Skies! Deckbuilding Bullet-Hell ‘IKARUS’ Hits Steam Early Access Today

    Take to the Skies! Deckbuilding Bullet-Hell ‘IKARUS’ Hits Steam Early Access Today

    Bullet-hell shoot ’em ups (SHMUPs) and deckbuilding roguelites are two genres renowned for their depth, thrill, and high skill ceilings. Now, indie developer Magical Something and publisher Tiny Dragon have fused the two into one pulse-pounding experience: IKARUS, which officially launches today in Steam Early Access!

    Crafted by an ambitious two-person team based in the UK, IKARUS drops players into the wings of an ancient guardian on a high-stakes mission to rescue the Sun-goddess Amaterasu from hordes of hostile, apocalyptic machines.

    Whether you’re a veteran of classic arcade shooters or a deck-builder strategist, here is everything you need to know about this massive Early Access release.

    A Two-Phase Dance: Pure Strategy Meets Bullet-Hell Chaos

    What makes IKARUS stand out in the crowded indie space is its distinct hybrid mechanics. Every battle unfolds as a seamless blend of tactical foresight and lightning-fast reaction time:

    1. Plan Your Attack: Before each wave, queue up your cards to sequence devastating combos and synergies.
    2. Execute with Precision: When the action starts, take direct control of your ship to dodge, parry, shoot, and trigger your planned combos at key moments.

    By balancing deckbuilding tactics with intense twin-stick arcade dodging, IKARUS challenges you to test your limits—asking the ultimate question: How close to the sun will you fly?

    What’s Included in the Early Access Launch?

    Magical Something has poured an incredible amount of love and effort into this release, delivering a feature-packed experience right out of the gate:

    • 3 Distinct Archetypes: Choose your playstyle with the Architect, Berserker, or Catalyst.
    • Massive Card & Augment Pool: Mix and match 70 unique cards, 45 augments, and 25 weapon upgrades to build game-breaking combos.
    • Revamped Risk/Reward Systems: Engage with the overhauled Boon vs. Burden mechanic, where accepting harsher handicaps rewards you with higher score multipliers and extra damage output.
    • Leaderboards & Achievements: Compete with players worldwide on online leaderboards and hunt down Steam Achievements—every single run counts towards your rank!

    Supporting Indie Developers

    Behind IKARUS are Sam and Dan—the creative minds of Magical Something. Building a game that bridges twitch-reflex arcade action and deep deckbuilding strategy is no easy task, especially for a two-person dev team. Early Access allows the duo to tune core mechanics, refine game balance, and collaborate directly with players ahead of the full release.

    If you’re ready to dive into the chaos, craft broken synergies, and climb the global leaderboards, IKARUS is available right now on Steam!

    Find out more here

    #IKARUS #IndieGames #SteamEarlyAccess #Roguelite #SHMUP #BulletHell #Deckbuilder #PCGaming #TechMash #MagicalSomething #GamingNews

  • Catch ’Em, Card ’Em, and Battle! Creature-Collector Roguelike Montabi Launches Today

    Catch ’Em, Card ’Em, and Battle! Creature-Collector Roguelike Montabi Launches Today

    The wait is finally over for strategy fans and monster-taming enthusiasts alike! Indonesian developer Mankibo and publisher Akupara Games have officially launched their highly anticipated creature-collector roguelike deckbuilder, Montabi.

    Starting today, players can dive into the full game across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for $19.99 USD.

    From Demo Hits to Full-Fledged Adventure

    After months of dedicated Trainers building experimental teams, theory-crafting synergised decks, and testing run strategies in the popular demo, the complete Montabi experience is ready.

    Unlike the limited demo runs, today’s full release unveils:

    • The Full Roster: Dozens of unique, collectable creatures (Montabi) with distinct stats, abilities, and elemental affinities.
    • The Entire City: A vibrant hub world packed with quests, NPCs, shops, and customisation options to upgrade your battle gear.
    • The Full Story Campaign: A deep narrative mode that takes trainers through challenging dungeons, unexpected encounters, and tough boss battles.

    What Makes Montabi Stand Out?

    Montabi seamlessly blends two of indie gaming’s most beloved genres: monster-taming and roguelike deckbuilding.

    1. Synergistic Deckbuilding: Your deck is dictated by the creatures on your team. Each Montabi brings its own set of cards to the battle pool, forcing players to think carefully about team composition and combo potential.
    2. High-Stakes Roguelike Runs: Procedurally generated paths ensure no two runs feel the same. Make high-stakes decisions between risky battles, rewarding shops, and healing rest stops.
    3. Train & Evolve: Nurture your creatures, boost their capabilities, and unlock game-changing passive perks to survive deeper runs.

    Whether you’re looking for tactical turn-based combat or the thrill of collecting powerful monsters, Montabi delivers a fresh hybrid formula that will keep you coming back for “just one more run.”

    Available Now

    Ready to start your journey? Grab your gear and head over to your favourite digital storefront today on PC, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 for $19.99 USD.

    Find out more here

    #Montabi #IndieGames #AkuparaGames #Mankibo #NintendoSwitch #Xbox #Deckbuilder #Roguelike #CreatureCollector #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Get Ready to Defend the Realm! Tower Tactics 2 Announced for Steam Early Access

    Get Ready to Defend the Realm! Tower Tactics 2 Announced for Steam Early Access

    If you love the strategic depth of deckbuilders and the thrilling action of tower defence, we’ve got some massive news for you! Indie developer asraworks and publisher Assemble Entertainment have officially unveiled Tower Tactics 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed deckbuilding tower defence roguelike.

    The original Tower Tactics captured the hearts of strategy gamers by seamlessly blending card-crafting strategy with tense grid-based defence. Now, the sequel is preparing to take everything that made the first game great and crank it up to eleven.

    Here is everything you need to know about what’s coming to Tower Tactics 2.

    What’s New in Tower Tactics 2?

    Tower Tactics 2 isn’t just a simple update—it’s a massive expansion of the formula. The developers are expanding every core mechanics to deliver a deeper, richer, and far more replayable experience.

    Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:

    • Bigger, Badder Decks: Expand your tactical playbook with an array of brand-new cards, towers, trinkets, and spells.
    • Outrageous Synergies: Uncover wild, game-changing card combinations and build overpowered tower setups that obliterate incoming waves in style.
    • Deadlier Enemies & Bosses: Prepare to face smarter, meaner enemy types and multi-stage boss encounters that will test your strategy to its absolute limits.
    • Maximum Replayability: With randomised encounters, new hero archetypes, and dynamic map layouts, no two runs will ever play out the same way.

    Release Window

    Gamers won’t have to wait too long to test their tactical skills. Tower Tactics 2 is officially slated to launch into Steam Early Access in Q3 2026.

    During the Early Access phase, asraworks and Assemble Entertainment plan to work closely with the community, taking player feedback to fine-tune balance, introduce new content, and polish the game ahead of its full release.

    Add It to Your Wishlist Today!

    Whether you were a hardcore fan of the original or you’re a newcomer who loves roguelikes like Slay the Spire and classic tower defence titles, Tower Tactics 2 is shaping up to be an absolute must-play strategy title of 2026.

    Head over to Steam now to add Tower Tactics 2 to your wishlist so you don’t miss out on launch updates and upcoming playtests!

    #TowerTactics2 #IndieGames #GamingNews #Steam #Roguelike #Deckbuilder #TowerDefense #AssembleEntertainment #asraworks #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Martial Arts Meets Deck-Building: Dice Con Winner ‘Kungfu Card’ Drops on Steam This August!

    Martial Arts Meets Deck-Building: Dice Con Winner ‘Kungfu Card’ Drops on Steam This August!

    Get ready to channel your inner martial arts master! Kungfu Card, the critically acclaimed title that bagged the prestigious Best Chinese Indie Board Game of the Year at Dice Con, is officially punching and kicking its way onto PC.

    Mark your calendars: Kungfu Card launches into Steam Early Access on August 10th!

    What is Kungfu Card?

    Developed through a collaboration between ZeroCastle Game Studio and Miwu Studio, and published by 2P Games, Kungfu Card takes the strategic depth of traditional tabletop board games and translates it into a fast-paced, tactical digital card battler.

    Instead of standard spell-casting or basic sword swings, every card played represents authentic martial arts manoeuvres, stances, blocks, and counters. The developers designed the combat flow so seamlessly that every parry and strike feels like a scene ripped straight out of a classic Jackie Chan action movie—complete with clever improvisation, high-octane counters, and cinematic flair.

    Key Features to Look Forward To:

    • Award-Winning Mechanics: Born from award-winning tabletop game design, expect tight, balanced, and deep tactical gameplay where strategy beats luck.
    • Cinematic Martial Arts Combat: Turn-based card play designed to mimic the rhythm and momentum of classic Kung Fu cinema fights.
    • Accessible Early Access Price: Dive in on day one without breaking the bank!

    Launch Details & Special Discount

    Kungfu Card enters Early Access with a budget-friendly price point, plus an extra launch deal for early adopters:

    • Release Date: August 10th
    • Platform: Steam (PC)
    • Standard Price: $4.99 / £4.59 / €5.19
    • Launch Offer: 10% OFF for the first 14 days!

    Whether you’re a deck-building veteran, a fan of indie board games, or someone who loves martial arts cinema, Kungfu Card offers a fresh, kung-fu-kick-filled twist on the card battler genre.

    Head over to Steam, add Kungfu Card to your wishlist, and prepare your best counter-attacks for August 10th!

    Find out more here

    #KungfuCard #IndieGames #SteamLaunch #CardBattler #BoardGames #PCGaming #2PGames #GamingNews #Deckbuilder #MartialArts

  • Plug In to NET.CRAWL: The Grid-Building Puzzle Roguelike Hits 1.0 on Steam!

    Plug In to NET.CRAWL: The Grid-Building Puzzle Roguelike Hits 1.0 on Steam!

    If you’re a fan of deck-builders, grid-based tactics, or deep strategic puzzles, it’s time to sync your neural link and dive deep into cyberspace. NET.CRAWL, the innovative grid-building puzzle roguelike from three-person indie team Everyone is Solid, has officially left Early Access and booted up its 1.0 full launch on Steam!

    Blending elements of tactical spatial movement, deck-building progression, and retro-futuristic hacker aesthetic—part Deus Ex hacking mini-game, part synthwave dreamscape—NET.CRAWL delivers one of the freshest takes on the roguelike genre in recent memory.

    Here is everything you need to know about this stylish indie hit and why it deserves a spot in your Steam library.

    What is NET.CRAWL?

    In NET.CRAWL, you play as a sentient White Rabbit trapped inside an unfriendly, post-human digital world. Your goal? Jack into dynamic cyber arenas, outsmart hostile firewall entities, and crawl your way back out with precious system loot.

    Unlike traditional deck-builders where you play cards straight from a hand, NET.CRAWL turns card play into spatial navigation across a hexagonal grid. You don’t just build a deck—you build the level itself. Between runs and rounds, you draft hexagonal nodes to construct the digital playfield. As you move your White Rabbit onto a hex node, it activates that node’s specific effect.

    Key Features to Hack Into

    • Hex-Grid Node Drafting: Levels are dynamically assembled from two grids (Data and Toolbox) that you draft as you progress. Every move you make triggers a chain reaction.
    • Color-Coded Tactical Depth:
      • Blue Nodes: Yield Data, your core operational resource.
      • Yellow Nodes: Provide Credits to fund upgrades.
      • Green Nodes: Your personal toolbox, packed with rule-bending utilities and defensive shields.
      • Red Nodes: Hostile threats that drop dangerous obstacles on the board.
      • Purple Cores: The ultimate challenge—powerful mini-bosses with game-bending abilities and custom win conditions.
    • Satisfying Combos & Fast-Paced Runs: Runs are snappy, focused, and free of tedious filler. You can pull off wild, screen-clearing synergies in just a few strategic turns.
    • High Replay Value: With dozens of unique boss encounters, system grids, and perk aspects to unlock, no two dives into cyberspace ever play out the same way.
    • Style to Spare: Packed with punchy synth audio, clean UI design, and vibrant neon visuals, the game oozes cyber-cool atmosphere from the second you press Start.

    Crafted by a Mighty Indie Trio

    NET.CRAWL is the passion project of Everyone is Solid, a tiny three-person development team. After iterating through community playtests and an early access period, the team has delivered a polished, incredibly tight puzzle-roguelike experience that avoids decision fatigue while offering massive strategic depth.

    Priced accessibly and boasting stellar user reception on Steam, NET.CRAWL is a masterclass in smart indie game design.

    Ready to Jack In?

    Whether you’re looking for short, rewarding gaming sessions or a deep tactical puzzle to obsess over, NET.CRAWL is ready for deployment.

    Head over to Steam today to pick up NET.CRAWL version 1.0 and see how far down the cyberspace rabbit hole you can go!

    Find out more here

    #NETCRAWL #IndieGames #SteamLaunch #Roguelike #PuzzleGame #Deckbuilder #EveryoneIsSolid #PCGaming #TechMash #GamingNews

  • Unleash Tactical Chaos: Why Crown Control is the Ultimate Co-Op Deckbuilder You Need on Your Radar

    Unleash Tactical Chaos: Why Crown Control is the Ultimate Co-Op Deckbuilder You Need on Your Radar

    If you love deep tactical strategy, rogue-lite replayability, and rich card-battling mechanics, get ready to add a new title to your wishlist. Meet Crown Control—an ambitious tactical RPG roguelike deckbuilder where you and up to three friends set out on a high-stakes quest to overthrow a ruthless tyrant king.

    Whether you’re a hardcore strategist who loves planning ten moves ahead or a casual gamer who enjoys chaotic co-op gaming sessions, Crown Control brings a fresh isometric twist to the deckbuilding genre.

    A True Tactical RPG Meets Deckbuilding

    At its core, Crown Control turns classic grid-based, turn-based tactics into a fast-paced card battler. But this isn’t just about playing high-damage cards—it’s about mastering the battlefield itself.

    In isometric turn-based combat, position is everything. The cards you draw do far more than simple attacks, defence, or healing spells. You can:

    • Summon Loyal Allies: Call forth minions to draw enemy fire and control the tide of battle.
    • Litter the Field with Traps: Outsmart aggressive foes by luring them into deadly choke points.
    • Alter the Terrain: Shift the battlefield on the fly to gain line-of-sight advantages or block enemy paths completely.

    Every battle is a tactical puzzle where environmental awareness is just as important as the cards in your hand.

    21 Unique Classes & Endlessly Deep Progression

    With a staggering roster of 21 playable classes, Crown Control guarantees no two runs ever feel the same.

    Whether you prefer playing as a heavy tank holding the front line, a battlefield-controlling wizard, an elusive trapper, or a dedicated support healer, there’s a playstyle for everyone. As you level up during your runs, you’ll unlock powerful synergies, build customised decks, and discover game-breaking combinations to take down increasingly formidable foes.

    Conquer the Kingdom Solo or in 4-Player Co-Op

    While you can brave the king’s forces completely solo, Crown Control shines as an online co-op experience. Supporting up to 4 players in online co-op, teamwork becomes your greatest weapon. Combine card abilities across different classes, set up massive elemental or positional combos, and save your teammates from dire situations.

    Because of its roguelike structure, every run features randomised encounters, shifting tactical challenges, and unpredictable loot. Win or lose, each attempt teaches you more about the kingdom and brings you one step closer to dethroning the king.

    Why You Should Keep An Eye On Crown Control

    • Deep Co-Op Strategy: Team up with up to 3 friends online for coordinated grid-based battles.
    • Massive Variety: 21 distinct classes offer endless deckbuilding possibilities.
    • Dynamic Battlefields: Manipulate terrain, spawn summons, and lay traps in tactical isometric combat.
    • High Replayability: Classic roguelike elements ensure fresh challenges on every run.

    Will you and your party have what it takes to break the king’s hold over the realm? Gear up, build your deck, and prepare for battle!

    Find out more here

    #CrownControl #IndieDev #IndieGame #GamingNews #RPG #Roguelike #Deckbuilder #TacticalRPG #CoOpGaming #PCGaming #TechMash #TurnBasedStrategy

  • Forget Cards! How ‘Sigilfarer’ is Reimagining Deck-Building with Dice-Rolling Mayhem

    Forget Cards! How ‘Sigilfarer’ is Reimagining Deck-Building with Dice-Rolling Mayhem

    If you’re a fan of roguelite deck-builders, you’ve likely spent countless hours managing cards, curating 30-card decks, and praying to the RNG gods for a good draw. From Slay the Spire to Monster Train, the genre has delivered some of the most addictive strategy experiences in modern gaming.

    However, a new contender is stepping onto the digital tabletop—and it’s swapping cards for custom dice.

    Enter Sigilfarer, an upcoming classic roguelite adventure that blends the thrill of dice-rolling with deep RPG mechanics. But this isn’t just a simple reskin of traditional card games; it’s a fresh, dynamic evolution of how deck-builders actually work.

    Here is why Sigilfarer should be at the very top of your indie gaming wishlist.

    What Makes Sigilfarer Different?

    At the core of traditional deck-builders, your strategy depends on drawing the right hand. In Sigilfarer, that formula gets flipped on its head through an innovative dice-building mechanic.

    Instead of buying and pruning cards to optimise draw probability, players craft and customise their own set of dice. Every face of every die represents a potential action, skill, spell, or tactical modifier.

    This introduces a completely different layer of strategic decision-making:

    • Forge Your Own Fate: Customising individual die faces gives you unprecedented control over your playstyle. Want a high-risk, high-reward glass cannon die? Or a reliable defence-heavy block die? You build it face-by-face.
    • Dynamic Turn Strategy: Instead of playing static cards from a hand, you roll your custom dice and adapt to the board in real time. Tactical re-rolls, face modifiers, and elemental synergies keep combat feeling fresh and unpredictable.
    • Pure RPG Progression: True to classic tabletop RPGs, Sigilfarer incorporates deep character progression, questing, and branching paths—making every run feel like a high-stakes campaign rather than just a combat gauntlet.

    The Evolution of the Roguelite Genre

    The dice-rolling genre has seen a massive resurgence recently (thanks in no small part to games like Dicey Dungeons and Baldur’s Gate 3 introducing millions of players to the joy of a good d20 roll).

    What makes Sigilfarer so exciting is how seamlessly it marries that tactile thrill of physical dice with complex RPG deck-building mechanics. By replacing rigid card hands with fluid, customizable dice, the developers are giving players unprecedented freedom to innovate their strategies on the fly.

    If you love tactical decision-making, high replayability, and dark fantasy adventures, Sigilfarer is setting up to be a game-changer for the genre.

    Final Thoughts

    Sigilfarer takes the best parts of classic roguelites—procedural maps, tough choices, and escalating challenges—and injects them with a dynamic dice-building system that feels truly innovative.

    Are you ready to roll the dice on your next obsession? Keep your eyes locked on Sigilfarer as it develops—this is one indie adventure you won’t want to miss.

    What do you think of replacing cards with customizable dice? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #Sigilfarer #IndieGames #GamingNews #Roguelite #DeckBuilder #DiceBuilding #PCGaming #TechMash #TabletopRPG #GamingCommunity

  • 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