Manacaster (2025)

Developer: Manacaster Games
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Indie, Strategy, Early Access
Rating: 3.8 of 5, 8 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 3.7 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A methodical turn-based strategy game with a raw, early-access feel.

strategictacticalearly accessindiemethodicalunpolished

What players say

Players praise the generous model that unlocks 900 cards with no microtransactions, and the mana side deck that eliminates mana screw. The single-player RPG mode and simplified MTG-like design appeal to newcomers, though the UI is called barebones and some card art looks AI-generated. Opinions conflict on the AI difficulty and control scheme, but most agree the content is solid for early access.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.