Get ready for a game that will make you rethink everything you know about match-3 puzzles and deck-building roguelites. ANTHEM#9, developed by koeda and published by Shueisha Games, is not your average indie title. It’s a high-speed, cerebral, and intensely satisfying mash-up that is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated games on the horizon!
Set to launch on Steam in February 2026, this game promises to deliver a fresh, unique experience by blending strategic card game depth with the kinetic rush of a puzzle-based combat system.
The Core Gameplay: Strategic Gem-Matching Combat
Forget passive gem-matching; this is an active battlefield where every tile counts. The combat in ANTHEM#9 is its standout feature, challenging players to think fast and plan ahead:
- The Gem System: In each turn, you are randomly dealt a set of three-colored gems (Red, Green, and Blue).
- The Skill Recipes: Your deck is composed of powerful Skills that can be activated by matching the right combination of gems, which acts as the ‘recipe’ for that skill.
- Chaining Combos: The real thrill is in the chaining. You can continue using skills until you run out of available gems. The key to victory is figuring out the optimal sequence of skill activations to create massive, explosive combos within a limited time window! The higher the combo, the greater the damage and the satisfaction.
It’s a demanding dance of rapid pattern recognition and strategic execution—part puzzle, part action, and all high-stakes fun.
Roguelite Depth: Building the Ultimate Deck
Like any good roguelite, ANTHEM#9 offers massive replayability through strategic deck construction:
- Randomized Dungeons: Every run takes you through randomly generated dungeons where you collect new Attack Skills and Blessings (passive modifiers) to build a deck that is unique to that play-through.
- The “Recipe Arrangement” System: This is where the deep strategy comes in. Between battles, you can visit a ‘skill floor’ to customize the gem colors required by your skills. This allows you to fine-tune the synergy within your deck, ensuring that your skills flow together perfectly for maximum combo potential.
- Playable Agents: You take on the role of an agent of the secret organization ANTHEM#9, with multiple playable characters like Rubit (the cunning, poison-wielding protagonist) and Phannie (the high-risk, high-reward gambler), each bringing their own unique abilities and playstyles.
A Suspenseful World of Secrets
The game isn’t just about mechanics; it’s wrapped in a compelling narrative:
- The Secret Society: You are an agent for ANTHEM#9, a secretive global organization dedicated to maintaining “balance and harmony” by preemptively eliminating powerful individuals and dangerous technology—the very factors that threaten world stability.
- Blurring the Lines: The story is a suspenseful tale of global intrigue, where the lines between good and evil are often blurred as you pursue targets deemed a threat to world order.
Get Ready for Launch!
ANTHEM#9 is shaping up to be a stunning debut for solo developer koeda and a must-watch for fans of strategic deck-builders and inventive puzzle games. The combination of high-speed gem-matching and deep, customizable deck synergy creates an experience that is both frantic and deeply satisfying.
If you enjoy games that demand both quick reflexes and thoughtful strategy, be sure to keep this title on your radar!
What’s your favorite roguelite deck-builder? Let us know what you’re most excited about in ANTHEM#9 in the comments below!
ANTHEM#9 – https://shueisha-games.com/games/anthemnumber9/
#ANTHEM9 #roguelite #deckbuilder #SHUEISHAGAMES #Koeda #gemmatching #turnbasedgame #games #gaming #gamers #videogames