Summary
- Slay the Spire popularized roguelike deckbuilders, challenging players to build powerful decks and strategize.
- Inscryption immerses players in horror with engaging arcs and changing deckbuilding mechanics.
- Balatro merges poker and deckbuilding addictively, ensuring players invest hours perfecting runs.
Deckbuilding games have become all the rage in recent times. Players love the idea of spending a ton of time understanding the mechanics at play in these games before picking and choosing the cards that strike their fancy.
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If players are a bit iffy on this concept even now, then the following deckbuilders will do a great job of ensuring that they become staunch fans of deckbuilders in no time. These games shine for their stories, visuals, atmosphere, and anything else along the same lines.
Inscryption
The Horror Elements Help This Deckbuilder Shine
Inscryption
- Released
- October 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
Inscryption is one of the greatest deckbuilding games ever made, soaking its setting in rich layers of horror that is peeled off bit by bit. The fight to escape Leshy's Cabin transforms into something else entirely as players go through the three engaging arcs.
The deckbuilding mechanic is changed up just enough to make players reevaluate their strategies in every run. Eventually, the game will be so riveting to play that players will want to invest a ton of time in Kaycee's Mod too, just to challenge their skills and push them to reach new heights.
Slay The Spire
Embodies The Deckbuilding Genre And Then Some
Slay the Spire
- Released
- January 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Tobacco Reference
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
Slay the Spire is one of the most important roguelike deckbuilder games of all time. The title arguably popularized this genre in the indie scene, prompting many players to try and figure out the best way possible to build up a powerful deck and obliterate foes in style.
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Runs can be extremely challenging at first, with most players expected to die before they can even reach the first boss. However, each hero gets stronger and gains access to more cards as they level up, eventually letting players uncover the secret of the Spire and complete the game.
Balatro
Easily The Most Popular Deckbuilder That Uses Poker As A Compelling Base
Balatro
- Released
- February 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Gambling Themes
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Digital Card Game, Roguelike
Balatro is one of the most addictive deckbuilders players can get their hands on. The deckbuilding and roguelike spin on the simple game of poker ensures that players will find it easy to get into this title.
However, Balatro is so engaging that it won't let players go, forcing them to spend hours at a time trying to perfect their run and get a win with each card. The game can be played infinitely for hours on end, ensuring that every victory is one that players will savor.
Dicey Dungeons
Terry Cavanagh Strikes Gold A Third Time With This Tight, Satisfying Deckbuilding Roguelike
Dicey Dungeons
- Released
- August 13, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical, Roguelike, Deckbuilding
Terry Cavanagh wowed fans with his work on VVVVVV and Super Hexagon, two simple yet challenging games that can be tough to master. So, fans were surprised to see how easy Dicey Dungeons was, in comparison.
There's no denying that this game has its challenging moments, but the ease of entry coupled with the charming art style ensures that players will have a blast in this title. The RNG isn't too frustrating and ensures that players won't lose a run because of poor luck that is out of their control.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
The Deckbuilding Elements Help This Excellent Game Stand Out
Marvel's Midnight Suns
- Released
- December 2, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Language, Mild Blood, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
The XCOM games may be great, but they're also tactical and challenging to get into. This overbearing difficulty wasn't carried over to Firaxis' latest video game, Marvel's Midnight Suns.
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It's a shame that this game didn't enjoy the sales it deserved, since the ease of entry ensured that players could have a blast with this title. Each Marvel hero and heroine is fun to bond with, making them more effective in combat as they unlock new moves that appear as cards to obliterate their opposition.
Griftlands
A Fun Deckbuilder With An Excellent Story That Captivates Fans
Griftlands
- Released
- July 11, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Indie Games, Adventure, Strategy
Players who want to check out a story-driven deckbuilder that's easy to get into will love what Griftlands brings to the table. It helps that the art design is also off the charts, helping the visual novel elements feel more riveting as it conveys a surprisingly great narrative.
Runs may get challenging after a point, but Griftlands has just enough to keep fans occupied for hours on end. The sci-fi fantasy setting ensures that Griftlands' unique allure will draw in players who want to check out one of the better deckbuilders on the market.
Monster Train
A Deckbuilding Game With Great Mechanics And A Sequel That Expands On The Core Concept
Monster Train
- Released
- May 21, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Alcohol Reference
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
While Monster Train has a sequel that takes things in a bigger and bolder direction, it's also way more complex. Players will benefit from having some knowledge of the first game before they get into its ambitious sequel.
This is the best approach to tackle this fledgling roguelike series, since Monster Train is a blast to play and isn't that hard for newcomers to get into. If the game's charms convert players into fans, then they can always check out the sequel to get invested in more of its systems and complexities.
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