Top 5 deck builder games to try out in 2023

Deck builder games have quickly become a staple of the tabletop gaming community as the popularity of board games overall has skyrocketed. Players of these titles construct their own decks of cards as the game progresses, making for a more strategic and engaging experience. The steady stream of new video games might make it difficult to choose which ones are worth your time.

Of course, there are many great deck builder games, such as Hearthstone, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, and Pokemon TCG Online, to name a few. However, these titles are already well-established and have helped inspire many developers to come up with their own deck builder games.

Listed below are some lesser-known deck builder games to try in 2023.

Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer

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Monster Train and four other deck builder games to try out in 2023

5) Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire (Image via Mega Crit Games)

Slay the Spire is a video game that mixes rogue-like and card game mechanics. The title was developed by Mega Crit Games and launched back in 2019.

Slay the Spire is a deck builder game where players begin with a basic deck and explore a procedurally generated maze. As the player advances, they will be able to construct a more potent deck with which to do battle with foes and bosses.

The title features a wide cast of characters, each with its own playstyle, deck of cards, and special abilities. Multiple game modes, such as a story mode and daily challenges, are also included.

The mechanics, difficulty, and replay value of Slay the Spire have all been praised by critics. Many gamers have come to love its combination of deck-building and strategic gameplay.

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4) Monster Train

Monster Train (Image via Shiny Shoe)

Monster Train combines two classic game types: the deck-building strategy game and the tower defense game. You take on the role of a powerful demon who must protect the last of his people aboard a train as it makes its way through the underworld. The three pyres on the train must be kept burning in the face of hostile forces.

This can be done by assembling a defensive deck of cards consisting of several spells, monsters, and artifacts. There are approximately 200 cards in Monster Train, each with its own special skills and strengths that may be combined in different ways to form potent tactics.

You may strengthen your deck by unlocking new cards and upgrading current ones as you continue through the game. The title offers many modes, challenges, and difficulty settings, including an online multiplayer mode.

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3) Roguebook

Roguebook (Image via Abrakam Entertainment)

Roguebook is a deck builder and rogue-like game developed by Abrakam Entertainment and published by Nacon. The title was launched back in June 2021 for Microsoft Windows and later on for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

In the game, players explore a mystical book called the Roguebook as two heroes in search of mythical creatures and treasures. They must move their characters around a grid-based gaming board in order to gather cards, fight foes, and level up their decks. There is also a story-driven campaign mode, where players can gain access to additional heroes, cards, and artifacts.

Additionally, the title features a two-player cooperative option, allowing for an in-depth exploration of the Roguebook with a friend.

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2) Griftlands

Griftlands (Image via Klei Entertainment)

Griftlands is a science fiction, rogue-like deck builder game developed by Klei Entertainment, the same studio behind popular titles such as Don't Starve and Oxygen Not. It was released in June 2021 for Microsoft Windows and later for Nintendo Switch.

In Griftlands, you play the part of a mercenary who, in a lawless society, must rely on negotiation, fighting, and cunning to make a living. The game is experienced from an overhead viewpoint, and players are tasked with traversing numerous environments, completing objectives, and fighting a wide cast of adversaries.

Griftlands succeeds where other games fail because it successfully merges the deck-building mechanic with a deep, story-driven setting. Its novel gameplay mechanisms, interesting story, and stunning visuals have been praised by both critics and players.

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1) One Step From Eden

One Step From Eden (Image via Thomas Moon Kang)

Retro-inspired visuals and a frenetic tempo make One Step From Eden an intriguing and challenging title that mixes deck-building with action game elements. Its high complexity, rich strategic depth, and entertaining gameplay have all garnered praise from reviewers and players.

One Step From Eden's central mechanic is the use of a deck of cards to represent various magical powers and skills in combat. Many different card types, such as attacks, spells, and support abilities, are available in the game and can be combined in various ways to produce devastating effects.

Real-time combat requires quick reactions and careful planning as players try to avoid and land hits on their opponents. Different enemies in the game have varied attack patterns and special abilities, so players will need to change their approach frequently.

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Because of its ability to cater to a large audience with its innovative blend of strategy, resource management, and personalization, deck-building games have become a mainstay of the board gaming business. Due to the genre's recent surge in popularity, there are now a plethora of deck builder games out there, each with its own set of rules and aesthetics.

These top five deck builder games from 2023 are a great starting point if you're trying to expand your gaming horizons. Every game has its own unique gameplay that will keep you interested and entertained.