Deck-building games have become a popular choice among players due to the exciting mechanic of creating their own deck of cards for a unique gaming experience. Combining this with RPGs has led to the creation of some amazing titles that seamlessly blend these two concepts into one cohesive and highly enjoyable game.
Players are captivated by these games, which offer clever and fast-paced gameplay, along with interesting narratives and memorable characters. So, which deck-building RPGs stand out from the rest? Let's explore the top 10 games that have made their mark.
10 Mega Man Battle Network 2
Metacritic Score: 81
Mega Man Battle Network 2 takes players on an adventure as they control Lan Hikari and a computer avatar version of Mega Man to combat the NetMafia Gospel and their plans for world destruction. The game allows players to customize Mega Man’s attacks by choosing various chips and placing them in a folder, similar to creating a deck of cards.
9 Loop Hero
Metacritic Score: 82
Loop Hero surprises players with its deck-building mechanics disguised within its gameplay. While not traditionally a card-based game, players strategically use location pieces to aid the hero in defeating enemies and progressing through the game's randomly-generated path.
8 One Step From Eden
Metacritic Score: 82
One Step From Eden, considered a spiritual successor to the Mega Man Battle Network games, invites players to journey through a desolate future world towards the last city of Eden. This game seamlessly blends deck-building with tactical real-time strategy, roguelike elements, and bullet hell mechanics to keep players engaged.
7 Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Metacritic Score: 83
Marvel’s Midnight Suns breaks away from the traditional superhero game mold by offering a turn-based, deck-building, tactical role-playing strategy experience. Players can command a team of iconic Marvel heroes with their own deck of powerful attacks and spells, challenging them to strategize efficiently during encounters.
6 Griftlands
Metacritic Score: 84
Griftlands intertwines deck-building and RPG mechanics by offering players a variety of characters and decks for both combat and non-combat encounters. This game provides a diverse and engaging experience as players navigate through the overworld map and engage in various encounters, be it combat or dialogue.
5 Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles
Metacritic Score: 85
Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles takes a unique approach to deck-building RPGs by incorporating dice instead of traditional cards in its gameplay. Players explore the game with six playable characters, each with their own abilities and skills represented by different dice, offering a fresh and intriguing gaming experience.
4 Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
Metacritic Score: 85
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales immerses players in a unique narrative-driven deck-building RPG that delves into the world of The Witcher. Players control Queen Meve as she embarks on a journey to reclaim the Northern territories, navigating through intricate card-based battles, and solving puzzles to progress through the game.
3 Inscryption
Metacritic Score: 85
Inscryption provides a thrilling and eerie deck-building RPG experience, challenging players to engage in matches with a variety of unusual opponents. The game's unique mechanics and compelling narrative make it a standout title in the genre.
2 Monster Train
Metacritic Score: 86
Monster Train offers a captivating narrative where players command a band of demons in their quest to reignite the fires of Hell. The game's unique blend of roguelike and deck-building mechanics presents a challenging and exhilarating gaming experience.
1 Slay The Spire
Metacritic Score: 89
Slay the Spire stands as a pinnacle in the realm of deck-building RPGs, offering a captivating journey as players ascend a challenging spire. With its customizable decks and strategic gameplay, Slay the Spire has secured its place as a top-notch title in the genre.