Flatline Studios’ Into the Grid is set to release in Early Access on Steam on November 10, 2025, and it’s shaping up to be the indie cyberpunk roguelike that card game fans and deckbuilding dungeon crawler enthusiasts have been waiting for. Inspired by classic Netrunner mechanics, retro-futuristic style, and classic boardgame sensibilities, the game marries procedural level design, highly tactical turn-based card combat, and satisfying meta-progression within a neon-lit digital universe.
Concept: Hack the Mega-corps, Survive the Grid
The premise will strike a chord with deckbuilder fans: you are a hacker (there will ultimately be five, each from a different faction) diving into the labyrinthine data networks of powerful mega-corporations, fighting to outwit hostile ICE and rival hackers while you steal critical data and secrets. The Early Access launch features two playable hackers—Ursa, a Feral/Grit-focused brawler who already starred in the demo, and Darwin, a discard/augment specialist with twice as many “Commands” and a totally different playstyle.
Your run is a roguelite gauntlet: progress through multiple “layers” of the Grid, which each offer about 40 minutes of content and end with an epic fight against the network’s Core Node. Layers reset some progress to encourage replaying with new builds, decks, and tactics, but meta-upgrades provide persistent bonuses over time. The map structure blends traditional deckbuilder runs with tile-based dungeon crawling, giving players real choices about exploration, resource management, and risk taking.
Deckbuilding and Command System
Deckbuilding, as expected, is at the heart of the game. You start your digital incursion with a small deck and, as you explore, collect new cards with unique passive abilities, attacks, powers, and resource-generating actions. The twist is the “Command” system—a secondary pool of points that you build up by playing nearly any card, then cash in to activate special skills (think “Ultimates” or “Techs”) that often break the rules, fetch cards, reduce randomness, manipulate enemies, or set up synergies across turns and layers.
This means deckbuilding isn’t just about pure damage or defense. It’s about achieving clever card-Command combos and minimizing the frustration of dead draws and dicey luck, while still leaving enough tension and unpredictability to keep every run dangerous and unique. The five planned hacker characters will all use Command points in different ways, leading to endless theorycrafting even at launch. Ursa pushes aggression and resilience, while Darwin uses Scripts, Assists, and on-discard effects for more combo-oriented tactics.
Exploration: Not Just Corridor Crawling
Where Into the Grid stands out compared to pure Slay the Spire-likes is in its map exploration. Every Grid layer is structured like a boardgame map: you choose which nodes to move to, with some directions requiring keys, resources, or extra hacking prowess to unlock. Side rooms, secret rewards, narrative events, shops, and dangerous encounters abound. This blends the freedom of a tabletop RPG with the escalation and pacing of a tight card roguelite. Each time you play, the Grid reshuffles, and your route—not just your deck or build—will determine if you reach the Core Node or flatline before reaching your prize.
Each run is naturally broken into sessions, with players typically spending 40 minutes per layer—ideal for those who want meaningful progress but also need organic pause points. That structure also supports both casual and competitive playstyles, as completionists hunt for secrets and min-maxers optimize their routes.
Community and Visuals
Flatline Studios, a passionate Argentinian outfit with a growing global following, picked up 20,000 wishlists before launch based on their sought-after demo, and recently won EVA Play Argentina’s Best Design award. The game’s visual identity stands out: layered synthwave cities, neon UIs, glitchy effects, and slick animations evoke a blend of indie modern and 16-bit retro-future.
Message boards and Reddit threads consistently highlight Into the Grid’s balance of accessibility and depth. The Command system in particular is being praised for lowering random frustration, while still rewarding creativity and planning. The game’s audio design, including a synth-driven soundtrack, complements its dystopian digital universe and keeps tension high but engaging.
Roadmap for Early Access
At Early Access, you get:
- Two playable hackers: Ursa (demo favorite) and Darwin (devious new archetype)
- Randomized map generation for every run
- Deckbuilding, meta-progression, and evolving Command skills
- Narrative and event encounters that reward risk and resource management
- Runs of 40 minutes per layer with natural pauses, plus leaderboards for hardcore players
Flatline promises three more hacker characters and deeper narrative integration over the coming year of updates. They’re also teasing new enemy types, shopkeepers, mini-bosses, unlockable deck archetypes, card upgrades, and in-run quests. The game’s Early Access will focus on player feedback, with frequent balance tweaks and content drops. No microtransactions, predatory monetization, or live service tricks—just classic deckbuilder “one more run” energy with a cyberpunk twist.
FAQs
When is Into the Grid coming out?
Early Access launches on Steam on November 10, 2025. You can wishlist now to get notified and join the day-one community push.
What kind of game is it?
It’s a cyberpunk, dungeon-crawling roguelike deckbuilder. Think Netrunner’s hacking tension meets Slay the Spire’s card combat, with added tactical exploration, persistent upgrades, and multiple characters/factions with radically different playstyles.
Can I try before I buy?
Yes—there is a free demo available on Steam. It features the first hacker, Ursa, and allows you to explore the basic combat, map, and deck mechanics. The demo will remain up for a limited time after launch.
How long is a typical game session?
Each “layer” (run segment) lasts around 40 minutes. Runs can span multiple layers, but you have clear save/quit points for convenience.
How many characters are available at launch?
Two (Ursa and Darwin). Three more are in active development for full release.
Is Into the Grid single-player only?
At Early Access, yes. The game is built for solo card roguelite play and leaderboard competition.
Will there be microtransactions?
No, Flatline Studios has stated that Into the Grid is a premium experience with no microtransactions or pay-to-win systems.
Who is Flatline Studios?
Flatline is a multinational indie studio with roots in Argentina and collaborators from Europe. The studio is best known for blending retro sensibility with modern roguelites and card games.
Conclusion
Into the Grid could be the next obsession for fans of cyberpunk, card battlers, and dungeon crawlers hungry for a game that respects both player time and intelligence. Flatline Studios is delivering smart deck mechanics, real exploration, stylish presentation, and a “one more run” loop designed to balance challenge and accessibility. With a demo for newcomers and plenty of promised updates for veterans, it’s an Early Access launch worth rooting for. If your dream is to outsmart ICE, hack the system, and survive the maze while building the ultimate rogue deck, it’s finally time to plug in. The Grid awaits.