Card-en-Ciel is a roguelite card-battling RPG featuring over 300 different cards and 50 unique vocal songs! Play as Neon, the "Gaming Chair Detective" famous for solving net-crimes, as he encounters a strange new case when he dives into an in-development game world.
Unlike traditional deckbuilders where you freely construct your deck, this game forces you to acquire new cards after each enemy encounter. This gradually builds up your deck as you progress through the dungeon, requiring you to adapt and strategize with the cards you're given. The core gameplay loop involves moving and attacking on a grid-based battlefield using your collected cards. Each card has an attack/ability and a movement direction, so you must carefully consider positioning to damage enemies and keep yourself safe.
One standout feature is the Muse system. Certain cards have "Muses" associated with them - powerful ally characters that start singing and performing when specific conditions are met. Activating a Muse provides unique gameplay effects, from boosting your abilities to changing the background music. Managing your Muses and their activation conditions becomes a key part of your strategy, as you try to set up synergies between different Muses for powerful combo effects.
While you can't freely build your deck, the game encourages you to carefully optimize the cards you acquire. Many players cite the ability to create "degenerate" combos by stacking certain card effects. However, the game also rewards efficient and strategic play, incentivizing you to minimize the number of turns spent in battles. This creates an interesting tension between taking the time to set up your ideal combo, or rushing through battles to maximize your score.
Each dungeon has its own unique pool of cards and Muses to collect, leading to very different deck-building constraints and strategies. Some dungeons may focus on defensive or movement-based cards, while others emphasize high-damage combos. This variety ensures that each run feels fresh, as you have to adjust your approach to the dungeon's specific mechanics and challenges. Additionally, the game features optional "Grand Battle Dungeons" that allow you to construct a tailored deck to tackle a specific challenge.