Griftlands is a deck-building roguelite where you negotiate, fight, steal or otherwise persuade others to get your way. Every decision is important, be it the jobs you take, the friends you make, or the cards you collect.
Players must build and manage two separate decks - one focused on physical combat and one on verbal negotiation. The combat deck features attack, defense, and special ability cards, while the negotiation deck utilizes cards that construct "arguments" to sway opponents. This dual-deck system encourages players to consider both violent and non-violent approaches when overcoming obstacles.
The negotiation system presents a turn-based argument mechanic, where players play cards to build up their position and weaken their opponent's. Successful negotiations can lead to avoiding combat, gaining advantages in future fights, or obtaining additional rewards. This system adds an engaging layer of strategy and roleplaying, as players must carefully consider the social dynamics at play.
While negotiation is viable, combat remains a core pillar. The combat deck offers a variety of offensive and defensive options. Interestingly, many enemies can be defeated non-lethally by reducing their health to a specific threshold, allowing players to either spare them or finish them off. This moral choice adds depth to combat encounters.
Players' decisions impact their relationships with various factions and NPCs, granting buffs or debuffs based on the character's opinion. Alienating the wrong faction can make future encounters significantly more challenging, incentivizing players to carefully consider the ramifications of their actions.
As players progress, they can upgrade their cards by playing them enough times, unlocking enhancements such as increased damage or improved effects. This card progression system supports gradual customization and optimization of the player's decks, fostering a sense of character growth and replayability.