Instinct War - Card Game (2022)

Developer: Old School Vibes, Motion Game Studio
Publisher: Old School Vibes
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Adventure
Rating: 4.7 of 5, 35 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 36 minutes
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 deliberate, hand-drawn card battler where each turn's three-way choice can swiftly end your run, pushing you to carefully manage items and abilities for just one more try.

hand-drawnturn-basedrogue-litepunishingstrategicchoice-driventacticalcasual

What players say

Players describe Instinct War as a very short, simple card game for its low price, often comparing it to a phone time-waster. Reviews are split on the art and sound: some find the hand-drawn style and repeated "Amazing!" voice charm, others call them amateurish. The gameplay is a straightforward path of cards with hero special moves, and unlocking everything takes about 30 minutes.

Screenshots

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More by Old School Vibes

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.