Games like Griftlands

The Squirrel's verdictChrono Ark builds its story from fragments uncovered across multiple runs, rewarding repeated playthroughs with new context rather than repetition. Reviewers consistently cite deep build variety across multiple party members and call out its narrative as a standout in the genre. At $24.99, the 60-hour median playtime reflects a loop that sustains across many runs. Card combat centers on party synergies rather than a split negotiation/combat system.

Not for you if you want a negotiation-versus-combat dual-deck structure, or dislike anime-style presentation.

The Squirrel's verdictTainted Grail: Conquest also fuses deckbuilding with RPG choices and permanent consequences, but leans harder into character creation, class variety, and NPC memory: dialogue choices can lock you out of questlines permanently across runs. Enemy intents are clearly signaled, and card play centers on energy and passives. Suits players who wanted Griftlands' RPG layer to matter more and cost more.

Not for you if you want quests to reset between runs or dislike randomized objectives that make finding NPCs a chore.

The Squirrel's verdictGordian Quest pairs deckbuilding with an RPG campaign the same way Griftlands does, but drops the roguelike run structure for one long continuous story with a full party instead of solo runs. Difficulty options range from permadeath to no-death casual. Median playtime runs 35 hours, and reviewers report combat decks settling into repetitive patterns well before the campaign ends.

Not for you if you want short repeatable runs rather than a single long campaign, or builds that keep changing past the early game.

The Squirrel's verdictTrials of Fire swaps Griftlands' single-hero narrative decks for party-based tactics: you field three of nine classes on a hex-grid map, with positioning and ranged kiting driving combat instead of dialogue-locked encounters. Where Griftlands leans on story beats you replay repeatedly, this leans on squad-building and terrain. Suits players who wanted Griftlands' card battles but more tactical depth and less repeated dialogue.

Not for you if you dislike slow, positioning-heavy kiting combat or want narrative choices to matter as much as card synergies.

The Squirrel's verdictCard fusion is Zet Zillions' defining mechanic: combining cards mid-run changes what your deck does, layered over a Slay the Spire-style combat structure with FTL-style map progression. Reviewers highlight strong presentation — voiced characters, story, and visual style — alongside a tight, shorter loop at $3.99 and a median playtime near 19 hours. Reviewers also note the number of viable fusion combinations per run is smaller than the premise suggests.

Not for you if you want deep build variety — reviewers note fusion combos are limited and only three decks and companions exist to unlock.

The Squirrel's verdictKnock on the Coffin Lid is built around an overworld map of unknown encounters that players explore one at a time, with card synergies and build discovery driving each run. Three playable characters each carry distinct combat decks, and the 34-hour median playtime reflects a loop centered on finding and refining combinations. Reviewers note one dominant optimal path tends to crowd out other choices, and the base game has no ending without paid DLC.

Not for you if you want multiple viable paths to victory rather than one optimal route, or expect the base game to include an ending.

The Squirrel's verdictMenace from the Deep is a Lovecraftian roguelike deckbuilder where survival, exploration, and resource management shape each run alongside turn-based card combat. A travel deck system determines which encounters appear, and card upgrades lean toward defensive stalling. Reviewers describe strong atmosphere and concept but find combat — which occupies most of the playtime — the least engaging element, with characters that play similarly across runs.

Not for you if you prioritize combat depth and distinct character builds over atmosphere and exploration.

The Squirrel's verdictBanners of Ruin drops the twin-deck negotiation/combat split for a single party-based card system where each character brings their own deck, talents, and equipment. No branching story runs, no dialogue repetition to worry about. Suits players who wanted Griftlands' card mechanics without the RPG scaffolding, though reviews note thin content after the final boss and grindy combat pacing.

Not for you if you want the dual-deck negotiation/combat split or a story-driven run rather than straight party deckbuilding.