Underplayed Gems

Deckbuilders you can lose an evening to

One more run. You know how this goes. Card games where the deck gets built while you play and a single bad draw ends the whole thing, which somehow turns out to be the appealing part.

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. They work from the whole catalog, not just this list.

Look around the 3D catalog

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Kabuto Park (2025)

5.0 of 5 from 4,384 players · Windows, macOS, Linux

A peaceful, gentle bug-catching adventure with light strategy battles, evoking lazy summer days.

Players say: Players call it a short, cozy bug-catching game with simple turn-based battles and a charming hand-drawn style. Many finish it in 2–4 hours and wish there was more content, but praise the relaxing summer atmosphere and cute animations, including the ability to pet bugs.

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Balatro (2024)

4.9 of 5 from 194,903 players · Windows, macOS

A poker roguelike that feels like a strategic puzzle of building joker synergies to outscore increasingly tough blinds.

Players say: Players call this a brilliantly addictive poker-like roguelike where you build a scoring engine with jokers and deck manipulation. It is accessible even to those who do not know poker, though some reviews note that the highest difficulty feels too reliant on restarting for good luck.

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Clock Rogue (2024)

5.0 of 5 from 114 players · Windows

You play as a cute cell in a hedgehog's body, carefully timing attacks on a clock to fight viruses in a lighthearted, strategic action game.

Players say: Players love the unique timing mechanic, where internal clock skill determines success. It feels like a rhythm game, rewarding when you nail a precise shot but punishing when you miss. People compare it to Dicey Dungeon but driven by timing instead of RNG. There's some disagreement on depth: some say strategy is limited, others find satisfying builds.

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Slay the Spire (2019)

4.9 of 5 from 216,234 players · Windows, macOS, Linux

A tense, strategic card-battler that demands careful deck-building and risk-reward decisions across procedurally generated runs.

Players say: Players agree it sets the standard for roguelike deckbuilders, calling it deeply addictive and endlessly replayable. The four characters play so differently the game feels like four games in one, but some find runs too luck-dependent and the ascension grind lacking motivation.

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Nubby's Number Factory (2025)

4.9 of 5 from 18,987 players · Windows

A surreal, compulsive numbers game that blends deckbuilding and rogue-like tension with a darkly satirical factory atmosphere.

Players say: Players describe Nubby's Number Factory as an addictive roguelike that blends Peggle with Balatro, though some find the bounce physics too random and the game heavily reliant on RNG. The challenge is steep at first, but players who stick with it discover deep synergies, and many praise the developer for generous community outreach.

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StarVaders (2025)

4.9 of 5 from 4,231 players · Windows, macOS

A bright, retro-styled turn-based card battler where piloting a mech against alien invaders feels tactical and challenging.

Players say: Players praise the addictive mix of deckbuilding and grid tactics, calling it a fresh take on the genre. They appreciate distinct mechs and pilots, though some find the difficulty on the lower side and the art direction bland. A split exists on replayability: many enjoy it, while others cite slow progression and repeated losses as frustrating.

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スペルトナエル (2024)

4.9 of 5 from 360 players · Windows

A frantic keyboard-bashing roguelike where you dodge enemy barrages while frantically typing spells to build a custom magic arsenal.

Players say: Players praise the unique spell-casting system where you trace characters on a grid, but note its steep learning curve and high difficulty. The cute visuals hide a deep strategy game with deck building and multiple endings, though initial runs can be confusing. Players split on whether the story is engaging or generic.

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Emberward (2024)

4.8 of 5 from 3,766 players · Windows

A colorful, tactical tower-defense game where you carefully plan maze layouts and tower placements using block cards and runes before each battle.

Players say: Players praise the mix of Tetris-style block placement and tower defense, calling it one of the best in the genre with frequent updates and strong replayability. They note you cannot pause to build or restart a level, and some find the dice tower RNG frustrating.

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Skogdal (2025)

4.9 of 5 from 131 players · Windows

A deliberately paced, turn-based card battler where each decision carries weight in a hand-drawn dungeon.

Players say: Players love Skogdal's absurd humor and its black-metal-meets-90s-Norway style, with a soundtrack that makes even bad draws enjoyable. The deckbuilding is solid and lets you break the game with combos, though a few note the early game feels repetitive before harder modes unlock.

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ON&OFF (2026)

4.9 of 5 from 127 players · free · Windows

A methodical, cerebral puzzle-strategy experience where you carefully place cards to route signals through a grid.

Players say: Players praise the unique on/off toggle and loop chaining as the core fun, often comparing it to Balatro for its satisfying combos and one-more-run pull. Some note it is short at three acts, while others find the loop gimmick one-note or the difficulty steep. A few criticize undisclosed AI assets and a lack of shop rerolls.

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Flan's BN (2026)

4.9 of 5 from 125 players · Windows

A strategic deckbuilding JRPG prequel that plays methodically as you explore a personal story of self-discovery.

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Inscryption (2021)

4.8 of 5 from 146,835 players

Playing Inscryption feels like being trapped in a dark, surreal game of cards where the line between game and reality keeps dissolving around you.

Players say: Players call Inscryption a genre-blending card game best experienced without spoilers. They praise Act 1's atmosphere and tight gameplay, but opinions split on Acts 2 and 3. Many appreciate the Kaycee's Mod for extra challenge. The game blends psychological horror with meta elements, comparing it to games like Outer Wilds and Dredge.

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MistsBook (2024)

5.0 of 5 from 58 players · Windows

You casually build and auto-play decks in a surreal, mysterious bar setting with a calm and strategic feel.

Players say: Players compare MistsBook to Balatro and Lucky Hunter, praising its unique card positioning and deck synergy mechanics. However, many find the rules obtuse and the tutorial too long, with a steep learning curve that demands careful calculation. Fans enjoy the satisfying dopamine of building huge scores, but some note bugs and a need for better in-game explanations.

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Yamafuda! 2nd station (2021)

4.9 of 5 from 264 players · Windows, macOS

A gentle, card-driven hiking simulation where you casually build decks and gear while enjoying serene mountain scenery.

Players say: Players call this a cute and relaxing card game that is easy to pick up, with lightweight deckbuilding and forgiving difficulty that lets them clear the main mountain on the first try.

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Command Deck (2025)

4.9 of 5 from 81 players · Windows, macOS

You methodically pilot a starship through hostile space, balancing resources and card plays in turn-based tactical combat.

Players say: Players praise the polished presentation and addictive gameplay, but nearly all say runs are too short and more content is needed. Many compare it favorably to Slay the Spire. Players also mention difficulty spikes and the desire for different ships.

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Bearnard (2024)

4.9 of 5 from 165 players · Windows

a clever, turn-based puzzle adventure where you strategize with cards and physics, with a lighthearted tone and a fair challenge.

Players say: Players praise the unique blend of platformer exploration with turn-based combat that requires manual aim like Worms, using consumable cards rather than building a deck. The game is short but satisfying, though some note limited power progression and a few frustrating mechanics like restricted inventory swaps.

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I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (2022)

4.8 of 5 from 4,726 players · Windows, macOS, Linux

A narrative-heavy life sim where every decision shapes your character’s relationships, skills, and the colony’s fate, blending discovery with emotional stakes.

Players say: Players praise the story and replayability, saying each playthrough reveals new layers and choices genuinely matter. The card mechanic is simple enough for visual novel fans but some find it repetitive across multiple runs. Reviews split on the endings: some love the emotional depth, others feel certain resolutions, especially those involving the alien AI, are mishandled.

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Disillusion ST (2024)

4.8 of 5 from 529 players · Windows

A dreamlike, slow-paced journey through a colorful but melancholy labyrinth, focused on gathering lost memories through exploration and optional light puzzle-solving.

Players say: Players describe Disillusion ST as a deeply strange, dreamlike experience that is initially confusing and relies heavily on luck. They praise its unique visuals and memorable characters, but warn that the first few hours are disorienting and note tracking is required.

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Die in the Dungeon: Origins (2023)

4.8 of 5 from 3,472 players · free

A casual, turn-based roguelite where you build a deck of dice and plan tactical moves in procedurally generated dungeons.

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Monster Tavern (2026)

5.0 of 5 from 46 players · Windows

A casual roguelike deckbuilder where you manage a monster bar with light strategic planning.

Players say: Players praise the charming art, humor, and creative premise of serving drinks to monsters instead of fighting them. The deckbuilding is compared to Slay the Spire and Hearthstone, and the difficulty is described as challenging but not unfair. Early access means limited content, but the developer is responsive to feedback.

This list is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. You can also browse the whole catalog, or look around it in 3D and ask the Catbot there.