Handmancers is the first FPS roguelite deckbuilder – and it’s cute!

thesixthaxis.com:

Trailers, trailers, trailers. I know it’s been a long week for people that like to know what games are coming out in the next two years, but bear with me. I’ve got one more for you to watch, and it’s a good one! Handmancers is a roguelite deckbuilder, which isn’t all that unusual at this point, but this one does two things that make it stand out: first, it’s from a first-person perspective, so you can look your deckbuilding foes in the eye(s), and secondly, it looks absolutely lovely. This is a good thing.

Coming from developer 58Blades, and published by Skystone Games, Handmancers plays on the fact that you’re using your hands to cast cards and spells, and that you can see them. You’ve got to craft your deck, level up your cards, and think about the strategy you’re going to employ to take down your enemies. There’s also powerful artefacts to equip – I’m guessing that these will grant you particular boons, or special attacks – so you’ll really have to think about your loadout and how your playstyle, deck and artefacts work together. There’s a trio of card types: Parchment, Stone and Blades, and I’m thinking that they’ll function like Fire Emblems weapon triangle. I could, of course, be entirely wrong. I’m more certain that being a roguelite, you can probably expect to lose fairly regularly too. It sounds great, and if you’re a fan of strategising and planning out your tactics then Handmancers could be a winner.

It also looks absolutely fantastic. The enemies and central characters look characterful and memorable, and there’s a vibrant, cartoonish strand to the art design. If the tactical gameplay stands up to the delightful visuals we’re going to be in for a treat.

If this all sounds like the perfect mix, 58Blades have released a brand new demo for you get a flavour of it all for yourself.