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❤ Construct a Deck of Environment-Altering Cards

Players start each expedition by constructing a deck of cards that represent various terrain, enemies, and structures. These cards act as the building blocks that populate the randomly generated expedition path. The core gameplay loop revolves around strategically placing these cards along the path, creating a dangerous yet rewarding route for the hero to traverse.

❤ Optimize the Expedition Path

As the hero automatically runs the loop, battling enemies and collecting resources, players focus on carefully arranging the environment around them. Placing beneficial terrain like forests to boost the hero's attack speed, while also introducing high-risk, high-reward hazards like forest monsters, requires constant strategic decision-making. Players must meticulously balance these elements to create an expedition path that is challenging yet survivable.

❤ Weigh Retreat or Completion

A key part of the gameplay loop is deciding whether to complete the current expedition or retreat to the safety of the player's camp. Retreating allows players to keep a portion of the gathered resources, but cutting the run short means missing out on valuable loot and progression opportunities. Weighing the risk-reward trade-offs of each decision is a crucial skill to master.

❤ Expand the Camp Through Upgrades and Unlocks

Between expeditions, players can use the resources they've gathered to upgrade their camp. This unlocks new cards for the deck, new hero classes, and various other permanent improvements. Steadily expanding and enhancing the camp is a rewarding meta-progression system that feeds back into the deck-building and expedition gameplay, driving players to tackle increasingly challenging loops.

❤ Embrace the Minimalist, Streamlined Design

One of the standout aspects of the gameplay is its minimalist, streamlined design. The hero automatically battles enemies and traverses the loop, allowing players to focus on the high-level strategic decisions of card placement and expedition management. This "hands-off" combat, combined with the ability to speed up the game's pace, creates a relaxing, almost meditative experience that players can engage with while multitasking or consuming other media.