A small indie team just released something that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it before: a pausable auto-battler. Seer’s Gambit, developed by Unleash The Giraffe, is a strategic hero-drafting roguelite RPG that takes inspiration from games like Teamfight Tactics and Hearthstone Battlegrounds, but adds something both of those games desperately need—the ability to pause mid-combat. For busy players, parents, and anyone who doesn’t want to miss a crucial decision because they got distracted, this is genuinely revolutionary.
The Pause Button Nobody Knew They Needed
Let’s get straight to it: the reason Unleash The Giraffe created Seer’s Gambit was frustration with existing auto-battlers. The developers are parents who loved TFT and Hearthstone Battlegrounds but found themselves unable to play because one wrong move during a chaotic fight could cost the entire game. You can’t pause in those games. Real life doesn’t respect your battle timings. So instead of complaining, they built an alternative that solves the problem directly.
The pause mechanic transforms auto-battlers from twitchy reflex tests into genuine tactical experiences. You can analyze the battlefield, consider multiple strategies, think through positioning implications, and execute your plan at your own pace. This doesn’t make the game easier. It just makes it fairer. Suddenly, winning requires skill and understanding rather than reflexes and tolerance for stress.
Hero Synergies That Actually Matter
Seer’s Gambit’s core gameplay loop revolves around discovering powerful synergies. Every character in the game can shine when combined with the right teammates. You’re not just collecting random heroes. You’re building a team where each member amplifies the others’ strengths. A mage might synergize with an enchanter that grants spell power. A warrior might pair perfectly with a rogue that sets up crowds-controlled targets. The satisfaction comes from discovering these combinations and watching your team execute the strategy perfectly.
Positioning matters enormously. Unlike some auto-battlers where unit placement is secondary, Seer’s Gambit makes tactical positioning the foundation of success. Positioning your fragile mages in the back line while your tanks soak damage in front is essential. Some abilities have range requirements. Others benefit from being adjacent to specific unit types. The depth of positioning creates layers of strategic consideration that reward thoughtful planning.
An Explorable Overworld As Your Skill Tree
Beyond battles, Seer’s Gambit features an explorable overworld that acts simultaneously as your adventure and your meta-progression system. You have 7 “days” before a final boss fight. Each location you visit “costs” a day, forcing meaningful decisions. Do you travel north to recruit that powerful mage? East to find gear upgrades? South to eliminate an enemy lieutenant that weakens the final boss? Every choice has consequences that ripple through your run.
This design creates genuine tension. You can’t visit every location. You can’t collect every hero or upgrade. You have to prioritize and commit to specific paths. Some runs, you’ll lean heavily into offense and aggressive items. Other runs, you’ll build defensively and focus on survivability. The overworld exploration is what gives Seer’s Gambit its roguelite identity, transforming it from just a series of battles into a complete adventure.
Campaign and Endless Mode
Seer’s Gambit launched in November 2024 with an Adventure Mode focused on story and exploration. More recently, the team added Endless Mode, one of the most highly requested features by the community. In Endless Mode, after defeating the main story’s villain, players face an unending assault of increasingly powerful enemies. Each day you survive, The Seer grants you a powerful boon. How long can you last against the relentless onslaught?
This dual-mode approach gives players multiple ways to enjoy Seer’s Gambit. Adventure Mode offers narrative structure, exploration rewards, and a satisfying storyline. Endless Mode provides a pure endgame experience focused on building the strongest team possible and seeing how far you can push your skills. Both modes feel like complete games on their own.
Made For Busy Players and Engaged Audiences
What makes Seer’s Gambit special is its philosophy: a game that’s easy to pick up and put down but offers depth for thousands of hours. Individual rounds take roughly 30 minutes. You can complete a run during a lunch break. But if you want to optimize team compositions, discover every hero, and master Endless Mode, there’s easily 100+ hours of engaging content. This is gaming designed for actual modern life, not gaming designed for gaming as a full-time job.
The developers actively collaborate with the community. Since launch, they’ve balanced gameplay, incorporated feedback, and introduced new content based on player requests. This approach builds genuine goodwill and ensures the game evolves to serve its audience rather than remaining static.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seer’s Gambit?
Seer’s Gambit is a strategic hero-drafting roguelite RPG by Unleash The Giraffe. It’s inspired by auto-battlers like TFT and Hearthstone Battlegrounds but features pausable combat, exploration-based progression, and deep team synergies.
When did Seer’s Gambit release?
Seer’s Gambit released on November 18, 2024 on Steam. Nintendo Switch version released March 31, 2025. The game is fully released, not in early access.
How much does Seer’s Gambit cost?
Seer’s Gambit costs $14.99 on Steam. The Nintendo Switch version is also $14.99. Regular sales and discounts occur periodically.
What makes Seer’s Gambit different from TFT?
Seer’s Gambit features pausable combat, single-player focused gameplay, exploration-based progression through an overworld, and a focus on team synergies rather than economy management. There’s no multiplayer or battle pass grind.
Can I pause mid-battle?
Yes! That’s one of the core features. You can pause at any time during combat to assess the battlefield, plan positioning, and execute strategies at your own pace.
How long does a single run take?
A typical run takes approximately 30 minutes. However, runs can vary based on player skill and decision speed. Endless Mode has no time limit.
What game modes are available?
Seer’s Gambit features Adventure Mode (story and exploration focused) and Endless Mode (survival and pure endgame gameplay). Both offer distinct experiences and rewards.
How many heroes are in the game?
The full roster includes dozens of heroes, each with unique abilities and synergies. New heroes unlock as you progress and explore, encouraging replaying to discover complete rosters.
Does Seer’s Gambit have multiplayer?
No. Seer’s Gambit is purely single-player. There’s no competitive multiplayer or seasonal ladder like traditional auto-battlers.
Is there a demo I can try?
Yes. A demo is available on itch.io at unleash-the-giraffe.itch.io/seersgambit. The demo provides a slice of the full experience to help you decide if it’s right for you.
Conclusion
Seer’s Gambit proves that sometimes the best innovation is solving a genuine problem that players have been enduring silently. A pausable auto-battler isn’t revolutionary in concept, but it’s genuinely game-changing in execution. By adding pause functionality, exploration, and deep progression systems, Unleash The Giraffe created something that feels like the natural evolution of auto-battlers toward single-player experiences. The game respects your time, rewards your strategy, and offers engaging gameplay in bite-sized sessions or extended marathons. If you’ve ever loved TFT or Hearthstone Battlegrounds but felt frustrated by their multiplayer stress or found yourself unable to play because of life responsibilities, Seer’s Gambit is calling. Download the demo, experience the pause button in action, and discover why a tiny two-person indie team built something that makes you wonder why major publishers haven’t copied this approach yet. For $14.99, you get a complete, polished game with dozens of hours of engaging content. That’s an absolute bargain for strategy fans. The Giraffe team has earned your attention and likely your money.