Hacking the System: A Fresh Spin on Deck-Builders
If you’ve ever played a deck-building roguelike, you know the formula: draw cards, play cards, fight monsters, repeat. It’s a great formula, but it’s also a crowded one. Now, a new indie game called ‘NET.CRAWL’ is here to flip the script. Developed by Everyone Is Solid, this game takes the strategic heart of a deck-builder and throws out the deck entirely. Instead, your ‘cards’ are the spaces on a hexagonal grid, and your ‘hand’ is the path you choose to walk.
The game has been described as feeling like the iconic hacking mini-game from ‘Deus Ex,’ but expanded into a full, rich experience. It’s a puzzle-roguelike set in a quirky, post-human cyberspace where you play as a character called the White Rabbit, lost in the digital world. It’s a unique concept that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
How It Works: Movement Is Your Weapon
In ‘NET.CRAWL’, you don’t play cards from a hand. Instead, you navigate a hexagonal grid. Every node on the grid has an effect, and moving onto a node activates it. This could mean collecting data (the game’s main resource), triggering a firewall, or unlocking special abilities. The entire game is about spatial awareness and planning your moves to create powerful combos. It’s a deck-builder where you literally build the deck on the board in front of you.
This ‘grid-building’ mechanic turns every run into a dynamic puzzle. You’re not just reacting to the hand you’re dealt; you’re actively creating your own opportunities and navigating the consequences of each step. The goal is to collect enough data to satisfy the level’s objective before you run out of health, all while dealing with unique mini-bosses called Cores.
Boss Fights That Are Puzzles, Not Brawls
The boss encounters, or ‘Cores,’ are another area where ‘NET.CRAWL’ shines. These aren’t just damage sponges you have to beat down. Each Core has a distinct victory condition that turns the fight into a unique puzzle. You might have to trap a Core, lure it into a specific position, or survive its attacks for a certain number of turns. This focus on tailored strategies for each boss means you can’t just rely on one powerful combo. You have to be flexible and think on your feet, making each run feel different from the last.
Conclusion
‘NET.CRAWL’ is an incredibly clever and innovative take on the roguelike genre. It successfully blends the strategic depth of a deck-builder with the satisfaction of a good puzzle game. The short, replayable runs are perfect for quick sessions, but the deep mechanics will keep you coming back to experiment with new combos and strategies. If you’re looking for a game that will challenge your brain and reward your creativity, you should absolutely check out the open playtest available now on Steam. It’s a brilliant twist on a familiar formula that feels like a breath of fresh digital air.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘NET.CRAWL’?
‘NET.CRAWL’ is a grid-based, deck-building puzzle roguelike set in a whimsical, post-human cyberspace. You play as the White Rabbit, navigating a hex grid to collect data and defeat unique bosses.
How is ‘NET.CRAWL’ different from other deck-builders?
It doesn’t use a traditional deck of cards. Instead, gameplay revolves around moving on a hexagonal grid, where each node you step on is activated. This makes movement and positioning the core strategic element.
Who is the developer?
The game is being developed by an indie studio called Everyone Is Solid.
What is the main objective in the game?
In each level, you need to collect a certain amount of ‘Data’ by activating nodes on the grid. You do this while navigating around obstacles and dealing with ‘Core’ mini-bosses, each with its own unique puzzle-like victory condition.
Is the game available to play now?
Yes, there is an open playtest and a free demo available on Steam that you can download and try right now.
What is the setting of the game?
The game is set in a quirky, surreal ‘cyber-fantasy’ world, a whimsical digital playground rather than a dark, gritty cyberpunk dystopia.