WuLin Showdown

The gameplay revolves around connecting randomized actions across a 4x5 grid each turn. You need to connect at least five tiles, although they do not all have to contain an action. Every empty space on the grid gives your opponent an attack or another benefit, which is displayed along the edges of the grid. If you decide to end your turn without connecting five tiles, every remaining connection is filled with an enemy action. The type of actions that appear on the grid depends on one of four selected characters. However, you can only choose one character at the beginning, with the others becoming available after completing challenges that involve several enemies. Each action clearly displays its effect when you hover over it with the mouse, and the same applies to the enemy actions shown along the edges. Every turn presents a new grid with randomized tiles and effects. Most rows and columns have some kind of enemy action along their edges, adding an interesting strategic element to deciding how you want to end your turn. Taking damage is often unavoidable, but shield tiles can reduce the amount you receive. Shields are particularly useful because they stack and carry over between…

WuLin Showdown takes the familiar foundations of turn-based deck building and gives them a martial arts identity inspired by Wuxia fiction. Developed and published by Team QiLin, it revolves around becoming an increasingly accomplished fighter by learning techniques, challenging martial arts masters, collecting useful rewards, and refining a personalized combat deck. The premise is straightforward, but the thematic presentation helps distinguish it from card battlers built around conventional medieval fantasy. Instead of cards feeling like disconnected numerical commands, they represent techniques belonging to a developing martial artist, which makes progression feel more closely connected to the character's journey. The combat system is the main attraction. Battles are turn-based, allowing players to examine their available techniques and determine the best response to an opponent. An important element is counterplay, with success depending on more than simply selecting whichever card produces the largest amount of damage. Reading an opponent's intentions, responding with suitable techniques, and knowing when to attack or protect yourself gives encounters a more deliberate rhythm…

A good roguelike, clearly inspired by games like Slay the Spire, but with its own combat gimmick that gives you a good variety of combos. However, it lacks a bit of impact and a progression reward. The combat uses a 5x4 grid, where all of your cards are played on the grid and a certain number of columns/rows are marked. If you select a card that is on one of the marked cells, the enemy performs whatever action is indicated on that cell. However, you can only select 5 cells on the grid, and those 5 cells have to be next to each other, which forces you to think strategically. Your best card is often surrounded by bad cards or is positioned exactly where the enemy is going to perform its most dangerous attack. It’s a very interesting system with a lot of variety, especially when combined with the different cards each of the 4 characters has. Each character has a completely different deck from the others. For example, one character revolves around giving each card a type, and when you use different types in sequence, they gain bonuses and energy to improve the cards. Another character focuses on applying poison and destroying cards, causing their effects to activate when they are des…