HELLCARD Reviews

Fun Deck builder, if you got two others definitely a game worth trying.

fun multiplayer strategic roguelike, love that they're already promoting mods, I'd love if the community got more involved in making custom classes

Refreshing mechanic of game board position, AOE placement and range dimensions buff this deck building roguelike above the pack, and worth a look. You can have up to three characters and battle your way down the levels to the final boss. Card mechanics are the usual attack, defence and buff type tactical variations. Sometimes you can feel swamped by all the enemies, but the AI only activates them partially so that you have a puzzle like way of working your way out of disaster. The enemies often have special abilities, and it’s a bit of pain hovering over all of them and remembering all the special skills and ways to thwart your well laid out plan. I’m not a fan of the paper themed art style, but I do like the map, animations and other graphics, and no bugs during my 25 hours so far over multiple runs. Recommended!

I enjoyed the game. However, I bought it at 50% off and over paid. There isn't much game here. Got too easy too fast. My biggest gripe is there are only 5 classes and one is paid DLC.

Either the game is too easy or I was just very lucky. I beat it on my second run and this is how. First run, I pick mage. I picked a mixture of single target and AOE spells and I struggled to beat the first boss but I realizes something on that run. If you just armor up or kill the couple enemies that are attacking you in the first round or two, eventually all the enemies will group in the circle you are in. Once I realizes that, I knew I need high damage AOE spells so I start the second run. Right away I get an artifact that says " if you are under 50% health, all damage you do is doubled. From the there, I just picked teammates that had AOE as well as picking/upgrading my own AOE spell. Once spell in particular does 10 damage ( 20 with the artifact ) in a large circle around my mage and it doesn't exhaust. Once I got that, the game was a wrap. The final boss was a little tricky cause I didn't know he spawned eggs so initially I was focusing on the adds but then I realizes the boss had to go down. It was a close one and I barely pulled it off but that's how I beat this game in only two runs. I'm gonna keep playing so I can try the other classes. It is an intersting game the devs just need to fix the enemy AI so they all dont come charging in.

Not bad game, but it's looks very cheap when you enter endless mode bcs your cards doesn't scale to "late". A.e. - after 12, 24, 36... and other 12-circle stage you still see those values on your cards, what u see on beginning.

Iam on the Fence if i like it or not. The gameplay itself is pretty cool. Finishing your first run feels good. But the process of getting there feels a little bit like chewing gum. Had todo i think 4 runs until i finished my first and every run took me over 2 hours. thats a little too slow for my taste. If the gamepace was 2x speed or even 3x I'd see myself playing this game for longer.

I was suggested by my friend as we are both love Rogue-like game. ITwas not on discount (TBH u should grab this at full price to support the dev, my bad), so i waited till it goes sale and immediately bought it. I highly recommend this game because this is a very addicting game. Each run wont be the same as u can choose 5 character then choose artifact and can be partied with randoms or friends. There is some element called FORCED COOPERATION which varies based on your character. Meta progression is straightforward, by winning the battle with your character, u will be rewarded with exp (scales with torment) and unlock new artifact (total 10 per character), which can be chosen up to 3 artifact that will change or provide different way to play. DONT FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!

HELLCARD is a refreshing twist on the deckbuilding roguelike genre, combining strategic card-based combat with a dynamic battlefield system and optional cooperative multiplayer. Developed by Thing Trunk, the creators of Book of Demons, HELLCARD is set in the same papercraft-inspired universe, delivering a familiar aesthetic with entirely new mechanics. It successfully bridges traditional card game structure with turn-based dungeon-crawling, creating a thoughtful, layered experience that rewards planning, adaptability, and teamwork. The core gameplay loop of HELLCARD revolves around tactical battles fought using a deck of cards representing attacks, defenses, buffs, and special abilities. Players begin with a basic deck tailored to their chosen class—Warrior, Mage, or Rogue—and gradually expand it by acquiring new cards between combat encounters. What distinguishes HELLCARD from other deckbuilders is its battlefield grid. Enemies are positioned in specific ranges and formations, which directly affects what cards can target them and how they retaliate. Managing enemy placement and movement becomes just as important as managing your deck, creating a hybrid experience that blends spatial tactics with deck strategy. Each run takes place in a multi-level dungeon filled with enemy encounters, random events, treasure rooms, and choices that influence your build. The risk-reward balance is ever-present—choosing when to heal, upgrade a card, or take a harder path can mean the difference between a successful run and an early defeat. Combat feels weighty and impactful, with enemy types and behaviors forcing players to constantly adjust their strategy. The escalating challenge ensures that even when you're overpowered, you're never invincible, maintaining tension throughout each session. The inclusion of multiplayer is a standout feature that elevates HELLCARD beyond many of its genre peers. Up to three players can team up online, each choosing a class and working together to conquer increasingly difficult battles. The synergy between different roles adds a layer of cooperative depth that’s rare in card-based games. Whether it’s the Warrior shielding allies from damage, the Mage blasting enemies in the back row, or the Rogue exploiting positioning for high burst damage, teamwork and coordination are vital. Communication is key, especially when pooling resources or planning moves several turns in advance. Visually, HELLCARD leans into the stylized papercraft aesthetic seen in Book of Demons, using a mix of 2D and 3D art that gives characters and environments a unique pop-up book feel. The animations are fluid, and the visual clarity helps during battles when positioning and targeting are crucial. The UI is generally clean and easy to navigate, though things can get slightly cluttered during chaotic encounters with numerous enemies on screen. The sound design and soundtrack are serviceable, if not particularly memorable, providing suitable atmosphere without overwhelming the thoughtful pace of gameplay. Progression in HELLCARD includes meta-unlocks and character upgrades that persist between runs, offering incentives to keep playing even after a failed dungeon attempt. Each class has its own unlockable cards and passive bonuses, allowing for deeper experimentation in future playthroughs. While the rogue-lite structure is familiar, the game maintains freshness through varied enemy designs, unpredictable dungeon layouts, and randomized card choices, encouraging replayability and build diversity. There are, however, a few rough edges. Balancing between certain card synergies and class abilities can sometimes feel uneven, and runs can occasionally be skewed by bad RNG in card or event selection. Additionally, while multiplayer adds significant value, connection issues or lack of matchmaking partners can impact the experience for those seeking quick co-op games. These issues are not game-breaking, but they highlight areas that could benefit from ongoing updates or refinement. In conclusion, HELLCARD is a deeply satisfying tactical card game that offers far more than initially meets the eye. Its unique grid-based combat, class variety, and cooperative multiplayer mode bring fresh energy to the deckbuilding roguelike space. The strategic depth, engaging progression system, and atmospheric world make each run through the dungeon feel meaningful and distinct. For fans of thoughtful turn-based games and creative card combat, HELLCARD is a worthy and rewarding challenge that successfully builds on its genre’s foundations while carving out its own unique identity. Rating: 8/10

I don't usually write reviews, but one of my friends who I have played quite a few runs of this game with told me I should. So here you go. TLDR: Awesome game. Would recommend. Love the whole thing. So it starts out feeling like any other roguelike. Your cards suck. You can't do anything interesting. You are getting devastated most encounters. Then you finish your run and your character gets some experience and unlocks new cards and some artifacts (artifacts grant a buff for the duration of a run). I didn't think anything of it at the time, until my second run after unlocking an artifact. I discovered that I now had access to starting artifacts. Each starting artifact has a different effect varying from awesome to niche. Some unlock specific builds, making them function much earlier in a run. Then I found out that when you "cap" a character, you unlock 2 starting artifacts that allow you to fully randomize your starting deck, instead of using the starter deck. This also completely changes the game. At this point, I've unlocked all 10 starting artifacts for each character and I still find myself wanting to play some of my preferred builds again and again, simply because they're fun. Each character feels distinct. I personally love the Tinkerer and the Bruja. The Tinkerer sets up "contraptions" which then do something, usually damage. They have to deal with additional resources, but its a lot of fun and gets some truly crazy builds later in the game. The Bruja spends life to do damage, giving you a yo-yo effect on your health. Lots of give and take. Or you can build Redemption, and just destroy everything. There are 3 other classes, and none are bad, they're just more simple. The warrior focuses on Swords or Block, usually, but has other niche builds as well. The Mage has at least 3 builds, but I've actually never gotten the Rune one to work the way I wanted it to work Bolts and draw support are excellent in multiplayer. The Rogue shoots arrows or quarrels, moves things around, and has a lot of stuff to stun enemies and move enemies. I would highly recommend the game if you have a friend to play with once in a while.