Designing Dungeons: More Thrilling Than Exploring Them

“Into the Restless Ruins” is a roguelike deckbuilder game that may initially sound like it belongs to a crowded category. But before you dismiss it as just another entry in the ever-expanding indie game universe, let’s dive into what makes it stand out.

Yes, it’s true that “roguelike” and “deckbuilder” are buzzwords that have dominated the indie scene, especially following standout titles like “Slay the Spire” and “Balatro.” Into the Restless Ruins, which is available as a demo during the Steam Next Fest, might not be trying too hard to break away from these conventions with its classic pixel art and dungeon-crawling theme. But it introduces a fresh concept that’s truly intriguing.

In this game, the cards you hold aren’t just for attacking or defending; they actually represent rooms in the dungeon. Each day, you construct part of the dungeon by playing these cards, and by night, you navigate through the corridors you’ve designed. It’s a clever dual role: one part puzzle architect and one part daring adventurer. This creates a dynamic interplay between two distinctly different phases. First, you plan and build a labyrinth that makes sense. Then, you navigate through those very ruins, experiencing a fast-paced, auto-attacking dungeon crawl reminiscent of “Vampire Survivors.”

Hailing from Edinburgh, the developers at Ant Workshop have skillfully embedded Scottish myths and legends within the game, giving it a rich, folkloric atmosphere. Your character, guided by the enigmatic Maiden, must gather Glimour from mystical creatures and conquer the Warden of each zone.Collecting Glimour boosts your standing with the Maiden, earning you Favours in the form of new cards. However, beware: as time passes and with each defeat, Curses accumulate, increasing the danger lurking within the ruins.

During the building phase, you’ve got a set amount of Build Points to deploy cards from your hand, strategically placing rooms in your dungeon. Your ultimate aim? To reach the Warden’s lair. Along the way, you’ll need to connect with mysterious, fog-covered rooms that hold the keys to new areas and Relics that enhance your cards. While basic rooms—those crossroads and corridors—are easier to lay out logically due to their size and connectivity, they lack special effects. In contrast, other rooms might pose a challenge to place but can dispel fog, boost health, or grant other vital bonuses.

Time during your nighttime explorations is represented by a dwindling torchlight, which shrinks as the night progresses. The challenge? Return to the exit before your torch goes out. The catch here is you can’t check the map while exploring, which makes the nightly Harvest a tense race against time, particularly if your dungeon isn’t as straightforward as you’d hoped. This is all complicated by the randomness of the card draw.

Into the Restless Ruins thrives on the delicate balance of unpredictable card draws, strategic puzzle-solving during the layout phase, and the high-speed urgency of the Harvest phase. Each part feeds into the next, and when everything comes together, the game shines. It seems the love for deckbuilding roguelikes isn’t fading anytime soon.