Oaken, a turn-based tactical roguelike set in the spirit inhabited world. Explore the Great Oak, gather allies and trinkets, learn to use the positioning for your advantage, choose how to upgrade your cards. Wake the spirits and save the Oak!
The core gameplay revolves around tactical battles on a hexagonal grid. Players must carefully position and orient their spirit allies to take advantage of their unique abilities and attack patterns. Facing direction is crucial, as units can only attack and counterattack from certain sides. Maneuvering to surround and flank enemies is a key strategic element.
This tactical combat is combined with deck-building mechanics. Players construct a deck of cards that summon allies and cast spells. Each card has a limited number of uses per battle, so players must judiciously manage their resources. Upgrading and synergizing these cards is crucial to building a powerful deck.
Like other roguelites, each run is randomized, with players encountering different battles, events, and upgrades. Between battles, players can improve their units, acquire new cards, and unlock permanent progression bonuses. Losing a run means starting over, but with the ability to carry over some progress.
The tactical nature of the battles rewards skillful positioning and decision-making. Players must consider the facing directions of their units, the terrain effects, and the abilities of both their own and the enemy's forces to outmaneuver and outplay their opponents. This creates a high skill ceiling and satisfying sense of mastery as players improve.
The game offers a substantial amount of variety in its units, spells, and progression systems. The different playable characters and unlockable "guides" each provide unique playstyles and strategic considerations. The random nature of each run also ensures that no two experiences are exactly the same, encouraging experimentation and repeated playthroughs.
The game is noted for its challenging difficulty, especially as players progress. However, this difficulty is often praised as it encourages careful planning, thoughtful decision-making, and a sense of accomplishment when overcoming tough challenges. The optional objectives and secondary goals add an extra layer of depth and replayability.