A shadowy opponent invites you to a game. You have cards in front of you, the table is surrounded by darkness, and it’s up to the course of the game whether you get out alive.
Inscryption is a roguelike deck-building game and psychological horror with puzzles, escape-room, and adventure elements. The game doesn’t just involve sitting at a table and playing cards; you’ll also get up and look around the room to solve riddles.
If you’re a fan of games in the style of Inscryption, where genres intertwine to create something unique, here are our suggestions for some masterpieces.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Monster Train | 2020-05-21 | Turn-Based | Shiny Shoe |
 | Loop Hero | 2021-03-04 | Indie | Four Quarters |
 | Black Book | 2021-08-10 | Indie | Morteshka |
 | Darkest Dungeon II | 2023-05-08 | Indie | Red Hook Studios |
 | One Step From Eden | 2020-03-26 | Indie | Thomas Moon Kang |
 | Trials Of Fire | 2019-05-07 | Indie | Whatboy Games |
 | Ring Of Pain | 2020-10-15 | Indie | Twice Different |
 | Dicey Dungeons | 2019-08-13 | Indie | Terry Cavanagh |
 | The Hex | 2018-10-16 | Indie | Daniel Mullins Games |
 | Iris And The Giant | 2020-02-27 | Indie | Goblinz Studio |
 | Pawnbarian | 2021-09-24 | Indie | j4nw |
 | Griftlands | 2020-06-14 | Indie | Klei Entertainment |
 | Slay The Spire | 2019-01-23 | Indie | Mega Crit Games |
 | Banners Of Ruin | 2020-07-30 | Deck Builder | MonteBearo |
The Hex
| Release date: | 2018-10-16 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Daniel Mullins Games |
A bartender has received a message that someone is planning a murder, and there are six suspects in the tavern. Now it’s just a matter of revealing the truth by following the secrets of their pasts.
The first meeting with the characters takes place in a bar. You’ll experience the story of each of them in levels that are a mix of different gameplay genres. Short puzzles you solve without switching between controls, each section requires using the standard arrow keys.
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Black Book
| Release date: | 2021-08-10 |
| Genre: | Turn-Based Tactics |
| Developer: | Morteshka |
Vasilisa didn’t want to follow the path of witchcraft and chose her beloved, but after his inexplicable death, she gave darkness a chance.
Based on 19th-century Slavic folklore, the RPG combines magic, dark history, and combat with sinister creatures through cards connected to a demonic Black Book. You’ll explore various locations in the rural countryside by directing the main character through point-and-click movement. The graphics aren’t exaggerated and the mysterious atmosphere is created by folk music.
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Darkest Dungeon II
| Release date: | 2023-05-08 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Red Hook Studios |
The biggest change in this sequel is the stagecoach that the group uses to navigate the evil-controlled world. It’s a base on wheels, which you control in a 3D map.
The game has two perspectives: a 3D world and turn-based combat. Exploring different places, your team will often clash with enemies. To make their attacks effective, you need to take care of relations in the group, in Inn you can lower their stress level and recruit new members.
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Pawnbarian
| Release date: | 2021-09-24 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | j4nw |
Pawnbarian is a turn-based puzzle roguelike game about chess in a slightly more interesting version.
You can choose from six characters with different skills on the battlefield. Your hero will move around the small chessboard according to the choice of a card representing the respective pawn. You have to approach the onslaught monsters strategically, as each also uses different attacks. Unlock all dungeons and upgrade your cards to dominate the board.
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Slay the Spire
| Release date: | 2019-01-23 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Mega Crit Games |
Various enemies and bosses lurk in procedurally generated floors. After choosing one of four characters, you will have to fight your way to the top.
The game is inspired by the roguelike genre with cards in the lead role. Each win against an elite monster will provide an enhanced reward, the ability to heal, or more powerful cards. As you climb up the Spire you’ll have a choice between the safe or more risky paths, and new combinations of card abilities won’t be so obvious.
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Griftlands
| Release date: | 2020-06-14 |
| Genre: | Roguelite |
| Developer: | Klei Entertainment |
Depending on the choice of protagonist, the gameplay will look slightly different. Each character’s story is unique, as are abilities and maps to explore.
You can make friends and enemies in various places according to the course of a conversation. There can be a negotiation or a duel closely related to the storyline, and in both situations, you use cards to dictate your protagonist’s next move. After defeating your opponent, you’ll get a new card to help refine your strategy.
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Banners of Ruin
| Release date: | 2020-07-30 |
| Genre: | Deckbuilder |
| Developer: | MonteBearo |
Banners of Ruin is another game in which you control characters with cards. This time a group of rebels opposes the tyrannical rule of House Ender.
You can recruit up to six members to your team. Each teammate’s cards will define their abilities, and during gameplay, hidden character powers will appear after unlocking talent cards. The turn-based combats are challenging and the enemies are unpredictable, so collect weapons, and test cards.
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Trials of Fire
| Release date: | 2019-05-07 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Whatboy Games |
Compose your group by choosing three of nine charismatic characters and explore the post-apocalyptic, fantasy overworld.
Trials of Fire belongs to the roguelike deck-building genre. The battle will involve your entire team against various enemies and bosses. Each character receives cards with different abilities, and after winning, the experience will increase and translate into more powerful cards. You can also gain new skills by exploring the vast world of Ashe and collecting various items.
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Conclusion
These games are a surprising mix of the atmosphere of various game genres, from card games, roguelikes, and psychological horrors to adventure RPGs with a strong emphasis on storytelling.
Such mixtures are very encouraging, and perhaps any of our suggestions have encouraged you as well?