We played over 30 demos during the Steam Deck Builders Fest event, which ended this Monday, and we have to admit that there were a lot of surprising titles, most of which were very high quality. That's why we bring you ten selected ones that really interested us, and this is just proof that indie games can really have interesting concepts.
Preserve
First on our list is a unique puzzle game where we will create biome habitats with different natural environments through different maps, from alpine forests and arid deserts to stunning Caribbean reefs, each with its own animals, plants and, of course, challenges. The goal is to encourage and maintain a thriving and diverse biome, where each component coexists in symbiotic harmony.
In Preserve, you can expand the map not only horizontally, but also layer natural habitats, creating a vertical network of interconnected environments. In addition to standard modes such as harmony and puzzles, creative mode gives you the ability to build a world without any restrictions, while photo mode allows you to capture and share your creations at the end of each session.
While this title still doesn't have a specific release date, publisher Grindstone has announced that it will be available for PC this summer.
Northwind
Northwind combines roguelite and deckbuilding elements, where you will hunt monsters, collect resources and dsicover new cards in the city. The Early Access version, which will be available this year, will feature two mercenaries that can be used across three unique landscapes, over 150 cards and more than 50 different types of monsters.
One of the specifics of this game is the ability to melt cards, which allows you to discover different new combinations, improve existing cards, duplicate them, and the like. During your adventure, you'll unlock new city services and discover blueprints to progress further. Also, you will encounter new monsters and face new challenges to increase your level.
On the other hand, the full version will bring three new mercenaries, a total of eight unique landscapes, around 250+ cards and 60+ types of monsters. If by any chance you were unable to play the demo version of this game, you can still do so via Steam.
Knights in Tight Spaces
It is a tactical deck-building game set in the same universe as Fights in Tight Spaces, a successful game by Ground Shatter studio. It represents a standalone title that takes us back to medieval times, bringing a new and dynamic experience to the favorite gameplay, while maintaining the same stylish look and exciting animated combat sequences.
Winning this game is not just about who has the best cards, but also learning how to control the environment. You'll need to carefully position your characters around enemies and obstacles, making sure to maintain your tactical advantage. Recruit new characters and gather your party as you travel and discover new areas on the procedural map, unraveling the mystery of the secret society that recruited you.
Explore the possibilities of combining various characters and experiment with various combinations of cards. With 300 cards, different classes and equipment, and an upgrade system, Knights in Tight Spaces provides countless hours of deck building fun, whether you're a seasoned tactician or new to the genre.
Knights in Tight Spaces doesn't have a specific release date, but it will be available for PC via Steam.
Menace from the Deep
Menace from the Deep is an interesting roguelike and deckbuilding game that takes place in a dark world, inspired by Howard Lovecraft and Cthulhu Mythos. Set in the USA in the 1920s, the story revolves around a secret occult society. In it, you will collect and upgrade various cards while you fight against various enemies and monsters with the help of numerous allies.
In the game, there are three distinct categories of inventory: relics, equipment, and consumables. The visual aesthetics of the game are truly captivating, while the mechanics exhibit careful planning and hold significant interest. The fusion of rogue-like dynamics with card-based strategy introduces a level of complexity that proves rewarding.
Igra sadrži tri vrste inventara, od relikvija i opreme do potrošnih predmeta. Vizualni stil igre je impresivan, a mehanike su dobro osmišljene i zanimljive. Kombinacija elemenata poput pljačke s strategijom temeljenom na kartama dodaje sloj dubine koji pruža izazovnost i zadovoljstvo igranja.
Menace from the Deep will be available for PC via Steam sometime this year.
Wild Seasons
Wild Seasons is a combination of card game and gardening where you grow different plants and use them to fight different enemies. While playing, you will have to upgrade your cards, and it is important to take care of the plants, water them regularly and remove the ones you don't need.
Each card adds strength to your constellation. Cards you play when high power stars are lit have a double effect. If you plan wisely, you can turn every battle around. Depending on how you take care of your plants, they can grow in different varieties. Discover what your plants can become and unlock their full potential.
Wild Seasons will soon be available on PC via Steam.
Tendryll
The game that pleasantly surprised me was Tendryll, a title that combines grid-based gameplay and turn-based combat with deck-building elements. Each hero has their own deck of cards, and each turn brings a guaranteed movement card, allowing your heroes to always be ready to fight.
In addition to movement cards, heroes also possess unique attacks and skills that provide them with powerful ways to manipulate their own position and the position of others on the battlefield. You'll be able to knock enemies back against walls, teleport to random locations to gain an advantage in combat, or throw allies and enemies around the room, dealing massive damage in the area where they land.
In the Early Access version, more than 170 cards, 115 relics, three or more heroes, five bosses, 35 unique encounters and 20 combat modifiers await you, and players will be able to enjoy it for a year. The full version will bring a lot of additional and improved content, including new bosses, maps, relics and new characters with their unique archetypes, and more than 50 new cards.
Tendryll releases on April 30 for PC via Steam.
Novus Orbis
Novus Orbis is a roguelike game based on combining deck-building through a space-time loop: you collect cards, receive blessings, add pets and boost your abilities. It is essential that you connect the cards in the correct order for maximum power. Your goal is to explore, improve your character and become stronger to restore order to your land.
Every time you play a card, or end your turn, enemies will move closer and attack you. They can also attack during your turn. You can choose between three classes with completely different card sets and mechanics. Each class has more than 100 cards, and the cards are divided into six types: attack, skill, equipment, item, special, and affliction.
“Two years ago I decided to go on a journey to see if I could make this game myself. Novus Orbis has a similar gameplay style to Slay the Spire, inspired by the challenges and secrets of The Binding of Isaac,” said developer Seizo Games.
Also, a Kickstarter campaign has been launched for this game, so you can support it by clicking on this link.
Escaping Atlantis
Escaping Atlantis is a unique card battler game in which you have to escape from the sinking island of Atlantis while monsters from the deep stand in your way. So you'll have to recruit a team of eccentric Atlanteans, discover their stories and lead them in tactical turn-based battles while riding a turtle.
You must protect your turtle, because its ability to manipulate time is your only chance for survival. Even with her powers, you'll need to train your team and search for powerful artifacts to defeat the large number of enemies on this hostile island.
You may not defeat every enemy or be able to help all your friends on the first try, so you need to get to know your team and soon you will understand how to play the cards correctly. It is interesting that you can get to know the characters better through various events, gain their friendship through conversations and unlock new abilities.
Escaping Atlantis doesn't have a specific release date, but it releases for PC via Steam.
Harvest Hunt
In the game, players will use stealth elements as they sneak through the cornfields of Luna Nova, meeting a colorful cast of characters, each with their own stories and personalities, who together uncover the truth about the curse of this village through a fragment of its past.
Players will also need to survive the terrors of the night, sacrificing health for useful tools, face a hostile environment and collect important resources for their village, all while trying to fight a monster much stronger than them. As a rouge-like title, Harvest Hunt will provide 10-15 minutes of gameplay tailored to the player's own deck of cards.
Harvest Hunt is coming out this May and you can still play its demo on Steam.
Crawlyard
Crawlyard is a hybrid of roguelite deckbuilder and action RPG that allows you to combine long-term strategic decisions with real-time combat. Build your puppets, upgrade your skills, choose your allies and uncover the house's secrets by exploring the deepest layers of its backstory.
Syncing cards is key; learn how active abilities, passive effects, and special mechanics interact. Your dolls can use different ability cards, further enhanced by a system of privileges. The game also comes with three basic toy archetypes – knight, thief and mage, which can be further customized. Every time you defeat bosses, you can upgrade your characters.
During your journey, you will come across special events and make decisions that can affect the outcome, i.e. bring unexpected rewards or increase the difficulty. Get to know other characters and encourage them to open up to you, learn about their traumas and flaws, and influence their future - maybe even in a romantic way.
Crawlyard releases very soon for PC via Steam</ a.
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