May 5, 2024
Deck-builders have made quite an impact over recent years with a considerable increase in the number of available games for computers and consoles.
These deck-builders come in all different shapes and sizes and require different strategies as the games go on. What may look like a simple card game at first can turn into a fantastic world of hope, frustration, and triumph. These games tote fantastical worlds filled with mythic creatures and far-out universes with all their sci-fi glory. Some games, like Inscryption, are more story focused. Others, like Balatro, allow you to boot up and hop in without much information.
You never genuinely know what to expect from a deck-builder until you hop in. Here are some recent deck builders I have tried and recommend if you need to scratch that roguelite deck-building itch. The exciting games listed below will be sure to grab your interest.
Inscryption
If you have dabbled in deck-builders, you have more than likely heard of Inscryption. It’s as meta as meta gets. This game all but breaks the fourth wall with its storyline that consists of found footage and creepy lore. Many deck-builders have a loose story, if any, so Inscryption sets itself apart in that aspect.
Though this game takes you on a wild ride, at its core, the deck-building mechanics remain essentially the same throughout. This game is designed for you to lose and sacrifice your cards in order to build an unstoppable deck.
Inscryption is at the top of a lot of deck-building lists due to its odd art style and unique narrative that leaves you wanting to know more about the lore well after finishing the game. It is easily one of the best deck-builders out right now and worth your time and attention.
Wildfrost
Launching back in 2023, Wildfrost is a newer deck-builder that has captivated the hearts of many. Available on PC, Switch, and now Mobile – Wildfrost is as charming as Incryption is surreal. However, don’t let this game’s cute design fool you. Another roguelite deck-builder, this game can be punishing.
What seems like a simple enough story at first, having you set out to reach the Sun Temple to rid the world of the eternal winter, will soon have you on the edge of your seat as you battle to survive.
On this journey, the player will build a deck filled with a strange array of loveable companions and handy items to aid them in their quest. You traverse a map of nodes containing various encounter types. The game has a strange familiarity for fans of previous roguelite, card-based games, but even that familiarity does not prepare you for the punishment this game can dish out.
While aesthetically pleasing, this game is not for those looking for a cozy-casual playthrough. Sometimes, it feels like the deck is stacked against you, no pun intended. If you can persevere in Wildfrost, you are guaranteed to have a good time, but the game will punish you more than praise you.
Balatro
Released in February, Balatro surprised the world. This game has been at the forefront of many gamers’ minds. It had a nearly perfect review score and made over a million sales in less than a month.
Balatro uses a standard poker deck of 52 cards with all of the number, face, and suit cards you would expect to see. Each round, you try to amass certain points to achieve the target Blind. The Blind can be a Small Blind, Big Blind, or a Boss Blind. Each Ante consists of one of each blind with increasingly high point targets to hit, and the Boss Blind usually includes a handicap that keeps you from either playing or scoring with certain cards.
Things may seem straightforward at first. However, Balatro’s genius lies in its point system, special cards, and multipliers. Each playthrough remains unique with its vast number of joker cards, special types, and enhancements. You can string together high-scoring combos, upgrade the cards in your deck, and much more.
While most deck-builders these days offer a sci-fi or fantasy theme, Balatro decides to stick with a traditional look and let its mechanics do the heavy lifting. This complex system of cards, points, and multipliers’ simplistic appearance creates an addictive experience, which has caught the eyes and hearts of many. Once you pick it up, it will be incredibly hard to put down.
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire is a good deck-builder to jump into if you’re unsure where to start. The game is visually pleasing, and the mechanics are pretty easy to grasp.
During your journey, you’ll take a character through an increasingly tricky series of encounters. You can purchase and upgrade cards along the way, and you have the opportunity to rest and prepare for the bigger fights towards the end of each run.
You’ll choose from a selection of four characters and then ascend the aforementioned Spire through random encounters made up of combat stages, merchants to get new cards and abilities, mystery encounters, and even campfires for recovery.
The clean and simple iconography of the enemies and the cards used in combat makes the game’s fundamentals easier to grasp than some others on the list. Slay the Spire is another one that is hard to put down once you pick it up.
You can’t go wrong with any of the deck-builders on this list. While some may offer more of a challenge than others, all of these games bring something unique to the table. You can get lost in the lore of Inscryption; you can get taken in by the deceivingly cozy vibes of Wildfrost; you can bet it all on Balatro or climb the Spire in Slay the Spire. No matter which one you pick up, it is guaranteed to keep you invested.