Hellcard is a unique cooperative deck builder rogue-like game. Descend into the paper dungeons on your own, recruit computer-controlled companions or join other players' lobbies in fast-paced tactical card battles against the armies of darkness and the Archdemon himself!
Players can team up with up to two friends to tackle the game's challenges together. Coordinating deck-building strategies and card plays is essential to overcoming the hordes of enemies. This cooperative aspect adds depth and excitement, as players must communicate and work in tandem to succeed.
Enemies do not sit still, but rather move around the isometric playing field, occupying different zones (melee, ranged, etc.). This forces players to carefully consider the positioning of their cards and abilities, as certain effects will only impact enemies within specific zones. Managing enemy movement and positioning adds a tactical, spatial element to the gameplay.
Players can assemble and upgrade their decks as they progress. The game encourages the development of synergistic card combinations, as players can leverage the unique abilities and strengths of their companions' decks to create powerful combos. This promotes experimentation and rewards players for discovering creative deck-building strategies.
During battles, all players and enemies take their turns simultaneously, acting out their card plays in real-time. This simultaneous system creates a sense of urgency and coordination, as players must react quickly to their opponents' moves and find opportunities to maximize the effectiveness of their own cards.
The game features a "Torment" system, which allows players to select various modifiers to increase the challenge of their runs. These modifiers can affect enemy stats, card availability, and other gameplay elements, enabling players to fine-tune the difficulty to match their desired level of challenge and strategy.