Into the Restless Ruins [Mini Review]

Our friend Sam posted a review for Into the Restless Ruins. Having never played a game quite like it before, I decided to try it out and offer my own brief review. Into the Restless Ruins, a roguelike deckbuilder from Ant Workshop and Wales Interactive, offers a unique twist by allowing players to construct the dungeons they explore using cards. Its creative aesthetic is noteworthy. As a newcomer to deck-building games, the experience is fresh. The dungeon crawling mechanic is reminiscent of card games like Boss Monster or Zombiecide, where the map is built during gameplay. Players take on the role of a warrior seeking the Maiden's favor and must conquer the dungeon to restore her power.

The gameplay has two primary phases: dungeon construction and dungeon exploration. Initially, players use points to play room and hall cards from their deck, often featuring benefits for exploration. These cards are placed on a dungeon map, connecting exits to form paths to other rooms. Dungeon exploration begins once card placement is complete. Similar to Vampire Survivors and Tem Tem Swarm, combat involves automatic attacks against approaching enemy waves. While not typically a fan of auto battlers like those, Into the Restless Ruins provides a refreshing departure in the roguelike deckbuilder and auto battler genres. This is a game I recommend and intend to continue playing, updating my review with significant game updates.