Deck of Souls Review Summary

Fun deckbuilding and charming art are undermined by poorly explained mechanics, card effects that contradict their descriptions, and bugged achievements.

Gameplay is fun and enjoyable: Players consistently report that the game is fun, enjoyable, and engaging, with many noting it exceeds expectations. This is the most frequently mentioned positive aspect.

Deckbuilding mechanics are fun: The deckbuilding aspect is highlighted as fun, especially for fans of the genre, and is considered a novel entry in deck-builders. It appeals to both roguelike and deckbuilding enthusiasts.

Art style is appreciated: Players like the art, finding it nice, interesting, and distinctive. The art style contributes positively to the overall experience.

Graphics and visuals praised: The graphics are described as good, simple yet nice, beautiful, and appealing. Visual presentation is a strong positive point for many players.

Atmosphere and story are good: The story and atmosphere are praised, with players noting a good story atmosphere and overall positive visual and atmospheric qualities. The story is also described as interesting and engaging.

Poorly explained mechanics: The game does a poor job of explaining its mechanics, including set bonuses and card-building strategies, leaving players confused and unable to fully engage with the systems. This is a common complaint across multiple clusters.

Card effects contradict descriptions: Multiple players note that card effects do not match their stated wording, particularly poison cards which behave differently than described. This leads to confusion and distrust of the game's mechanics.

Achievements are bugged: Achievements frequently fail to trigger even after meeting the required conditions, and some remain stuck despite extensive playtime. This frustrates completionists and undermines the game's reward system.

Slow and tedious pacing: Players consistently report that the game feels painfully slow, with battles and overall pacing being sluggish and tedious. This affects the overall enjoyment and flow of the game.

Balance issues in early stages: The game suffers from balance problems, particularly in the early stages, with the first boss being notably difficult and causing frustration. This creates an uneven difficulty curve that can deter new players.

Roguelike deck-builder genre: Players consistently identify the game as a roguelike or roguelite deck-builder, often with turn-based combat and pixel art. This core genre definition appears across many reviews.

Gear and upgrade systems: The game includes gear, upgrades, stat boosts, and a leveling system. Players note the presence of progression mechanics tied to equipment and character growth.

Card tags and keywords: Cards feature tags such as instant, rush, redeem, zap, and wise, which affect gameplay. These keywords are frequently mentioned as a key mechanic.

Strategy and deck building: Gameplay combines strategic planning with deck construction, emphasizing tactical decisions. Players appreciate the blend of card-based combat and strategic depth.

Dark Souls inspiration: Many reviews compare the game's atmosphere and mechanics to Dark Souls, citing a dark fantasy tone and souls-like elements. This influence is a notable selling point.

Game responsiveness needs improvement: Some players find the game sluggish to respond at times, indicating general performance concerns. This is a common but somewhat vague complaint.

UI bug causes soft lock: A UI bug on Steam Deck can cause a soft lock, preventing progress. This is a specific and impactful issue for players on that platform.

Recommended for roguelite card fans: Multiple reviews recommend this game to fans of roguelite card games, deck-builders, and rogue-likes. The game seems to fit well within these genres.

Highly recommended overall: Several reviews give a strong thumbs up, with phrases like 'highly recommend' and 'definitely worth a try'. This indicates overall positive sentiment.

Enjoyable for methodical players: Some reviewers highlight that the game is suited for players who enjoy slower, more methodical experiences. This suggests a deliberate pacing that may not appeal to everyone.

Mixed recommendations for card enthusiasts: While many recommend it to card game fans, one review explicitly does not recommend it for card game enthusiasts. This suggests a divisive reception among hardcore card players.

Not for fast-paced seekers: A few reviews warn that the game is not for players seeking a fast-paced, dynamic roguelike card game. The slower pace is a notable characteristic.

Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00.

Game completion: 15.0h.

Story completion: 12.0h.

Session length: 2.0h.

The game starts with notable friction from slow pacing, unclear mechanics, and a weak tutorial, but several players report it becomes a decent roguelike once they push past the early game. Enjoyment is conditional on tolerance for methodical pacing and willingness to adapt.

Friction: slow pacing; tedious battles; lack of clarity; scant tutorial; slow meta progression.

Unlock drivers: getting rolling; getting past the early game.

Roguelike Deckbuilder Veterans: Plays strategically, expects fast-paced decision-making, and optimizes builds across runs. Motivation: Enjoying the core roguelike deckbuilding loop and seeking deep, replayable content. Stance: buy.

Early Access Skeptics: Tests the game thoroughly, evaluates content completeness, and looks for bugs or rough edges. Motivation: Wanting a polished, complete experience before fully endorsing the game. Stance: no buy.

Strategic Depth Enthusiasts: Thinks ahead, manages resources carefully, and explores strategic options like forgiving enemies or choosing debuffs. Motivation: Appreciating tactical resource management and meaningful choices that reward foresight. Stance: buy.

Early access status concerns: Reviewers note the game feels more like early access than most early access titles, with some saying it is in early access, beta, or not yet at version 1.0. This suggests the game is incomplete and still in development.

Frequent comparisons to Slay the Spire: Many reviewers compare the game to Slay the Spire and other deckbuilders like Monster Train and Gwent, noting it sticks close to the formula. Some see potential to rival Slay the Spire 2, while others prefer the originals.

Soulslike elements and comparisons: The game is frequently compared to Dark Souls and other Souls games, with reviewers noting its backgrounds, character design, and boss difficulty are inspired by those titles. It combines deckbuilding with soulslike elements.

Game has potential: Reviewers repeatedly mention the game has a ton of potential and could become better with updates. They hope developers will support and add content, keeping the same spirit until 1.0.

Reasonable price and value: Several reviewers state the game is worth the asking price, with the price being reasonable and fair. It is considered a worthwhile purchase despite its current state.