
Nevertheless, Banners of Ruin does a solid job of standing apart from the rest of the pack with its interesting take on dungeon-crawling gameplay - perfect for players looking to cool off from some of the more hectic deck-builders out there.ħ.

As a result, each combat encounter, due to the slower pace of combat, turns into a battle of patient attrition and careful application of cards to maintain the long-term health of your party.Īt times though, Banners of Ruin’s difficulty isn’t quite seamlessly balanced, leading to uneven pacing throughout the game, which can lead to some encounters either being way too easy or way too hard. There are a fair number of characters from different animal families, each with their distinct playstyle and tactics, giving plenty of variety for each run. Banners of Ruin is one of those strategy games that goes the other route and slows the action down to focus more on effective decision-making and longer-term planning in combat encounters.īanners of Ruin first hooks you with its creative anthropomorphic animal setting with a Medieval-esque backdrop, clothing, and architecture. Many deck-builder games emphasize speed and a quick pace to keep the excitement at a heightened level and have fresh encounters to keep you on your toes. It may falter in the story department, but Gordian Quest is another great entry point into deck-builder roguelikes with equal levels of fast-paced combat and solid card management systems.ĭeveloper: MonteBearo Publisher: Goblinz Studio, Mugen Creations, Maple Whispering Platform(s): PC, macOS, Linux, Switch Gordian Quest also has an amazing Avatar: The Last Airbender-like anime-inspired aesthetic that makes each action all the more exciting and the animations captivating. Secondly, Gordian Quest sports a deep card customization system, where you not only manage the cards in each of your characters’ decks, but also have the ability to empower and develop cards further for greater control over your playstyle and tactical options. Firstly, the game’s combat engagements have much more space to work with compared to other games of this type, leading to more maneuvering potential and flexibility in positioning. Luckily, the gameplay is where Gordian Quest truly shines. Of the plentiful roguelike games on the list, this one attempts to add more narrative heft and character development, though the narrative’s structure comes across as low stakes and repetitive. Gordian Quest ups the ante with more involved deck-building and card management mechanics.
GRIFTLANDS SWITCH PHYSICAL PC
Guild of Dungeoneering may be lighter in its mechanics than some of the other games on this list, but it’s still worth your time, especially if you’re curious to expand your library of card games.ĭeveloper: Mixed Realms, Swag Soft Holdings Publisher: Mixed Realms, Coconut Island Games Platform(s): PC In a way, if you’ve never tried Slay the Spire and are intimidated by its reputation and mechanics, then Versus Evil provides a perfect entry point for beginners to see what deck-builder dungeon crawlers are all about. In addition, the combat system is relatively simple, which can ease you into how the game works without bogging you down in masses of cards and effects, which some deck-builders struggle with. Guild of Dungeoneering is a perfect roguelike if you want to do a few runs in quick succession and then come back later. Versus Evil’s game doesn’t quite have the same depth and complexity as Slay the Spire’s extensive card mechanics and deck management, but it makes up for it in its quick pace. Particularly in its charm, due to the pen-and-pencil art style and aesthetic, as if you’re doodling on the side of your homework or preparing for a tabletop role-playing game session. One of the few dungeon crawler deck-builder games released before Slay the Spire’s momentous arrival, Guild of Dungeoneering contains some of the same elements that made the former so captivating.

GRIFTLANDS SWITCH PHYSICAL ANDROID
Guild of Dungeoneering Guild of Dungeoneeringĭeveloper: Versus Evil Publisher: Gambrinous, Versus Evil Platform(s): PC, macOS, Android
