Steam's Hidden Deckbuilding Gems: 10 Underrated Indies

While games like Slay the Spire and Monster Train rightfully dominate deckbuilding discussions, Steam's vast library contains numerous hidden gems that deserve recognition. These indie titles push creative boundaries, experiment with innovative mechanics, and offer unique experiences that stand apart from mainstream releases. Let's explore ten exceptional deckbuilders that have flown under the radar but deliver experiences worthy of any card game enthusiast's attention.

What Makes a Hidden Gem?

Hidden deckbuilding gems share certain characteristics: they often lack the marketing budget of major releases, experiment with unconventional mechanics, or combine deckbuilding with other genres in unexpected ways. These games frequently offer incredible value and innovative design but struggle to find their audience in Steam's crowded marketplace.

The best hidden gems provide something unique—whether it's a fresh take on familiar mechanics, exceptional artistic direction, or experimental gameplay that pushes genre boundaries. They reward players willing to look beyond the most popular titles with experiences that can't be found elsewhere.

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1. Iris and the Giant - Emotional Deckbuilding Journey

Developer: Louis Rigaud | Price: $12.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (89%)

Iris and the Giant tackles mental health themes through a touching deckbuilding adventure where cards represent memories, fears, and personal growth. Players guide Iris through her subconscious, collecting memory cards that unlock new abilities while confronting psychological challenges represented by various monsters.

What sets this game apart is its emotional resonance—every card has narrative significance, and the progression system mirrors personal development. The art style is beautifully hand-drawn, and the soundtrack complements the introspective journey perfectly. While mechanically simpler than some deckbuilders, the meaningful integration of theme and gameplay creates an unforgettable experience.

Why it's hidden: The game's focus on mental health themes may not appeal to all audiences, and its gentler difficulty curve doesn't provide the brutal challenge some deckbuilder fans expect.

2. Nowhere Prophet - Post-Apocalyptic Convoy Management

Developer: Sharkbomb Studios | Price: $24.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (85%)

Nowhere Prophet combines deckbuilding with convoy management in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where your followers are your cards. Each convoy member is both a person with needs and emotions and a playable card in combat encounters. When followers die in battle, they're gone forever, creating genuine emotional investment in card-based characters.

The convoy management layer adds strategic depth—you must balance convoy morale, food supplies, and equipment while making difficult moral choices about who to risk in dangerous encounters. The pixel art is exceptional, and the world-building creates a believable post-apocalyptic setting.

Why it's hidden: The game's complexity can be overwhelming for newcomers, and the permanent loss of follower-cards creates a punishing experience that some players find too stressful.

3. Card Shark - Historical Card Manipulation

Developer: Nerial | Price: $19.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (91%)

Card Shark offers a unique take on card games by focusing on cheating and deception in 18th-century France. Instead of traditional deckbuilding, players learn increasingly complex card manipulation techniques to swindle aristocrats and change the course of history. The game teaches real card tricks through interactive tutorials.

The historical setting is meticulously researched, and the story involves political intrigue, revolution, and personal growth. The rotoscoped animation creates a distinctive visual style that brings the period to life. Each new card trick feels like learning a genuine skill.

Why it's hidden: It's not a traditional deckbuilder, which may disappoint players expecting conventional mechanics. The historical setting and slower pacing appeal to niche audiences.

4. Die in the Dungeon ORIGIN - Pixel Perfect Design

Developer: Tombcat Studio | Price: $9.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (93%)

Die in the Dungeon ORIGIN strips deckbuilding to its essentials while adding unique mechanics like dice-based card effects and equipment durability. The pixel art is gorgeous, and the game feels perfectly balanced between accessibility and depth. Combat involves playing cards and rolling dice for additional effects, creating exciting variance in familiar mechanics.

The equipment system adds another layer—weapons and armor degrade with use, forcing players to adapt strategies as gear breaks. The difficulty is challenging but fair, and the progression system rewards both successful and failed runs.

Why it's hidden: The simple pixel art style may not appeal to players expecting elaborate graphics, and the dice mechanics introduce randomness that some strategic players dislike.

5. Black Book - Slavic Folklore Deckbuilder

Developer: Morteshka | Price: $24.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (88%)

Black Book draws from Slavic folklore to create a deckbuilding RPG where spells are pages in an ancient tome. Players control Vasilisa, a young sorceress seeking to resurrect her beloved by mastering dark magic. The spell system requires combining sin and virtue cards to cast powerful effects.

The game features extensive voice acting in Russian (with subtitles), creating an authentic cultural experience. The art style perfectly captures Slavic folklore aesthetics, and the story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and moral complexity. Side quests involve helping villagers with problems ranging from mundane to supernatural.

Why it's hidden: The cultural specificity may not resonate with all players, and the RPG elements can overwhelm those seeking pure deckbuilding mechanics.

6. Dicey Dungeons - Roguelike Dice Deckbuilding

Developer: Distractionware Limited | Price: $14.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (96%)

Created by Terry Cavanagh (Super Hexagon, VVVVVV), Dicey Dungeons combines deckbuilding with dice-based combat where equipment cards require specific dice rolls to activate. Six character classes each offer completely different gameplay experiences, from the Warrior's straightforward combat to the Witch's complex spell combinations.

The game's charm comes from its personality—characters are literally dice trapped in a game show hosted by Lady Luck. The soundtrack by Chipzel is exceptional, and the difficulty episodes add creative constraints that keep gameplay fresh across hundreds of runs.

Why it's hidden: The dice mechanics can frustrate players who prefer deterministic strategies, and the cartoon aesthetic might not appeal to those seeking serious strategic gaming.

7. Rounds - Multiplayer Physics Deckbuilding

Developer: Landfall Games | Price: $9.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (92%)

Rounds revolutionizes deckbuilding by applying it to multiplayer physics-based combat. Players draft cards between rounds that modify their character's abilities, weapons, and physics properties. The result is chaotic multiplayer battles where creative card combinations lead to hilarious and unexpected outcomes.

The card system enables incredible variety—players might gain bouncing bullets, increased jump height, explosive ammunition, or time manipulation abilities. The modular maps and physics engine create emergent gameplay moments that feel fresh every match.

Why it's hidden: The multiplayer focus limits single-player appeal, and the physics-based combat may not satisfy players seeking traditional deckbuilding strategy.

8. Tainted Grail: Conquest - Dark Fantasy RPG Deckbuilder

Developer: Awaken Realms Digital | Price: $24.99 | Reviews: Mixed (69%)

Based on the acclaimed board game, Tainted Grail: Conquest combines deckbuilding with dark Arthurian fantasy and RPG progression. Players explore a corrupted realm where traditional heroes have failed, using various classes that each offer unique deckbuilding approaches and storylines.

The game features extensive narrative content, beautiful art, and complex character progression systems. Each class feels distinctly different, and the world-building creates a compelling dark fantasy atmosphere that sets it apart from lighter deckbuilders.

Why it's hidden: Mixed reviews due to complexity and balancing issues have hurt its reputation, though recent updates have addressed many concerns.

9. Chromatic Souls - Indie Studio's Passion Project

Developer: Indie Studio | Price: $14.99 | Reviews: Positive (78%)

Chromatic Souls experiments with color-based deckbuilding where card combinations create different effects based on chromatic relationships. The art style uses vibrant colors that directly relate to gameplay mechanics, and the puzzle-like combat requires careful color management.

The game's unique hook is its synesthetic approach—colors have mechanical significance, and successful players learn to "see" optimal combinations through color relationships. The difficulty curve is perfect for players who enjoy puzzle-based strategy.

Why it's hidden: The color-based mechanics can be challenging for colorblind players, and the abstract nature may not appeal to those preferring concrete themes.

10. Alina of the Arena - Gladiator Deckbuilding

Developer: PINIX | Price: $14.99 | Reviews: Very Positive (87%)

Alina of the Arena combines deckbuilding with gladiatorial combat and injury management. Players must balance aggressive strategies with long-term health consequences, as injuries persist between fights and can permanently affect performance. The gladiator theme is perfectly integrated with mechanical systems.

The injury system creates unique strategic considerations—powerful attacks might win immediate fights but cause lasting damage that affects future performance. The progression system rewards both successful victories and smart long-term planning.

Why it's hidden: The injury mechanics can be frustrating for players expecting traditional roguelike "clean slate" runs, and the gladiator theme may not appeal to all audiences.

Supporting Indie Deckbuilder Developers

Why Hidden Gems Matter

Supporting hidden gem developers encourages innovation and experimentation in the deckbuilding genre. These smaller studios often take creative risks that larger developers avoid, leading to unique mechanical innovations and artistic achievements that enrich the entire genre.

How to Discover More Hidden Gems

Use Steam's recommendation system, follow indie game curators, and participate in community discussions about deckbuilders. Demo events like Steam Next Fest provide opportunities to try upcoming indie titles before they release.

The Future of Indie Deckbuilding

Independent developers continue pushing deckbuilding boundaries through creative mechanics, unique themes, and experimental designs. The success of hidden gems proves that innovation and creativity can compete with big-budget productions when developers focus on what makes their games special.

Upcoming indie deckbuilders promise even more innovation, with developers exploring VR implementations, asymmetric multiplayer, and cross-genre experiments that expand what deckbuilding games can be.

Building Your Hidden Gems Collection

Discovering hidden gems requires patience and willingness to try games outside your comfort zone. Start with highly-rated smaller titles, read user reviews carefully, and don't hesitate to try demos when available. Many hidden gems offer exceptional value for their price point.

Consider supporting developers through positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations. Independent studios rely heavily on community support to reach their audience and continue creating innovative games.

Conclusion: Treasures Waiting to Be Found

Steam's hidden deckbuilding gems prove that innovation and creativity thrive in the independent development scene. These games offer experiences you won't find in mainstream releases—unique themes, experimental mechanics, and artistic visions that push genre boundaries.

Each hidden gem represents a developer's passion project, created by teams willing to take risks for the sake of creating something special. By supporting these games, players encourage continued innovation and help ensure the deckbuilding genre remains vibrant and diverse.

The next hidden gem might be closer than you think. Gunslinger's Revenge aims to join this prestigious list by combining Wild West themes with innovative deckbuilding mechanics that you won't find anywhere else. Join our newsletter to be among the first to discover what makes our game special, and help us become the next indie success story!