The past week has been rather busy, but I am slowly getting back into the swing of things. Summer is creeping in and here in the UK, that means more humidity and very annoying nights dealing with moths and heat. Joy!
I’m a little behind on coverage, but there are tons of games I’m playing. One of them is the topic of today’s little preview in As We Descend. Published by Coffee Stain Publishing and developed by Box Dragon, it is a gorgeous looking deckbuilder that launched a couple of weeks ago. Available in Early Access for 30$, I really feel the production quality from this one. However, the current amount of content is limited, so if you want something with more value for money, you might want to wait a little while for a sale.
Despite that, As We Descend has some impressive mechanics, and I enjoy it a lot so far. The last city of humanity is under siege from the monsters, and it is up to you to find a way out. The combat is typical of most deckbuilder roguelikes: take on increasingly challenging enemies on a battlefield where every decision counts, grab new cards, rinse and repeat. While the game doesn’t do much new, it does a lot of things well.
The biggest selling point for me is the atmosphere. As We Descend has an awesome steampunk world where everything is out to kill you. Everything from the horrific insect beasts to the gorgeous city oozes strong worldbuilding, and every interaction left me willing to explore more of what the game has to offer. You must interact with NPCs across the bastion, gathering resources and making choices on where to send expeditions. You have limited time and resources, so it is one of those games where every decision counts.
This is a tough game with quite a challenging learning curve. There are a lot of mechanics at work here, and it will take a while to work out. It takes a while to work through a single run, and the difficulty spikes took me by surprise sometimes. There was one random encounter early on that doomed my playthrough because it had a telegraphed attack I was unable to deal with, and drawing a slew of barrier cards spelled the end of my winning streak. None of this is a dealbreaker for me, but you might want to look elsewhere if you want a cosier time.
I’ve found a few other considerations. I’m a big fan of the narrative and lore so far, but a lot of it feels unfinished. That’s understandable given the early development and we don’t have a full game loop yet, but I’m curious about the world and would like to see more. As Early Access, it has some crashes and performance quirks although nothing particularly onerous.
To conclude, As We Descend has made a solid first impression for an Early Access deckbuilder. The great worldbuilding and atmosphere helps me get invested into Box Dragon’s ongoing work, and I enjoy the mix of narrative survival and turn-based army combat. The combat/card mechanics don’t feel like anything special however, and the amount of challenge might put some people off. 30 USD is quite high for the amount of content on hand right now, but the high productive value makes As We Descend worth considering over the coming weeks.
It sounds like you’re diving into some exciting games despite the busy schedule. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your experiences with “As We Descend.”
Thanks for your comment! “As We Descend” really stands out with its unique art style, which adds a lot of depth to the gameplay experience. I’ll be sure to share more insights as I play!
I agree, the art style is indeed striking and contributes significantly to the game’s atmosphere. It’s fascinating how it enhances the overall experience while playing.
Absolutely, the art style really enhances the overall experience. It’s interesting how visuals can influence gameplay and strategy in a deckbuilder like this.
I agree, the art style plays a huge role in immersing players in the game’s atmosphere. It’s fascinating how the blend of visuals and gameplay mechanics can create such a unique experience in deckbuilding games.
Absolutely, the art style is crucial for setting the tone. It really enhances the overall experience and can make complex mechanics feel more engaging.
I agree, the art style plays a significant role in immersion. It can greatly influence how players connect with the game mechanics and narrative as they progress through challenges.
Absolutely, the art style really does enhance the overall experience. It can create a unique atmosphere that draws players deeper into the game’s narrative. Plus, a well-designed aesthetic can also make strategy elements more engaging!
I completely agree! The art style not only enhances the atmosphere but also plays a crucial role in immersing players in the game’s theme. It’s fascinating how visuals can influence strategy and decision-making in deckbuilders like this one.
the overall gameplay experience. It really immerses you in the world. Plus, the unique card mechanics seem to complement that art style perfectly, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging!
I completely agree! The unique card mechanics really do add depth to the strategy, making each playthrough feel fresh. It’s interesting how the theme enhances the gameplay, pulling you deeper into the story as you build your deck. Can’t wait to see how the community responds to these elements!
Absolutely! The way the game encourages players to adapt their strategies based on the evolving mechanics is really impressive. It keeps each session fresh and engaging!
That’s a great point! The dynamic nature of the mechs really keeps the gameplay fresh and challenging. It’s interesting how that design choice can lead to unexpected alliances and rivalries among players.
Absolutely
It’s great to hear you’re getting back into the groove! Deckbuilding games like Scar Tries can really push your strategic thinking. Have you found any particular strategies that work well for you so far?
Thanks! They definitely offer a unique blend of strategy and creativity. I love how each playthrough can feel different based on the choices you make. Have you tried experimenting with different deck combinations?
Absolutely! The way the mechanics evolve with each game really keeps it fresh and exciting. It’s interesting how the game encourages players to adapt their strategies based on the cards they draw.
I completely agree! The evolving mechanics really add depth to each playthrough. Plus, I love how the game’s challenges encourage different strategies, making every session feel unique. It definitely keeps players on their toes!
It’s great to hear you enjoyed the evolving mechanics! They really do create a unique experience every time. I also appreciate how the game balances strategy with unpredictability, making each decision feel impactful.
Absolutely! The evolving mechanics definitely keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. I also appreciate how they encourage strategic thinking, making each decision feel impactful. It’s fascinating to see how players adapt their strategies as they progress!
I also appreciate how the art style enhances the overall atmosphere of the game. It really adds to the immersive experience as you navigate through those brutal challenges!
Absolutely! The unique art style does create a distinct mood that complements the gameplay beautifully. It’s interesting how the visuals can influence our strategic decisions, making every choice feel more impactful.
I completely agree! The art style really does enhance the overall experience. It’s interesting how the visuals can influence strategy, making each decision feel more impactful within that immersive atmosphere.
Absolutely! The art style not only enhances the gameplay but also sets the tone for the game’s atmosphere. It’s fascinating how visuals can influence our strategies and emotional engagement during play.
I completely agree! The art style definitely adds a unique atmosphere that immerses players in the experience. It’s interesting how visual elements can influence our strategies and decisions during gameplay, making it even more engaging.