The popularity of roguelike deckbuilder games has been soaring. In these games, you begin with a set of cards which you enhance over time to create strategies and synergies for unstoppable momentum. They involve a lot of deaths, however, each new randomized run unlocks more options for the future.
Currently, there are 2,599 games tagged as “deckbuilding” and 861 labeled “roguelike deckbuilder” on the gaming platform, Steam. A recent Deckbuilders Fest was well-fed by this abundance of games, leading to laments that every new indie game seems to be either a cozy farming simulator or a roguelike deckbuilder.
However, the question arises, why are single-player card games created for screens so appealing to developers and players? The answer may lie in staying lean, refining strategies, and every card and upgrade working towards unstoppable momentum.
Arguably, it was Slay the Spire that ushered in the era of modern, single-player roguelike deckbuilder video games. The 2019 game was the first to create a big audience by blending combat-oriented deckbuilding with procedural generation and die/improve/repeat nature of roguelikes. It also revived enthusiasm for single-player card games on computers, pushing it beyond the realm of Solitaire.
Multiple developers cite Slay the Spire as their inspiration. Despite its humble beginnings, with dwindling sales initially, its story is a telling example of a well-tuned game’s ability to attract and retain the genre’s fans.
Vocabulary List:
- Popularity (noun): The state or condition of being likedadmiredor supported by many people.
- Synergies (noun): The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizationssubstancesor other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
- Unstoppable (adjective): Impossible to stop or prevent.
- Abundance (noun): A very large quantity of something.
- Laments (verb): To express sorrowregretor unhappiness about something.
- Enthusiasm (noun): Intense and eager enjoymentinterestor approval.
