The Best Co-Op Deck Builders

Highlights

Hexarchy
offers a quick 4X strategy fix for co-op gamers who don’t have days to commit to a single playthrough like
Civilization
.
Azoove
blends deck building with resource management for a challenging co-op experience perfect for groups who enjoy a tough strategy game.
HELLCARD
takes the deck-building Roguelike genre to a multiplayer level by adding tactical RPG mechanics and unique class abilities.

As someone who’s spent countless hours honing my strategic skills in the realm of digital card games and tabletop RPGs, let me tell you that these two titles are absolute gems for those seeking a richly layered gaming experience.

Building decks in games is an enjoyable yet often overlooked genre, especially when it comes to cooperative gaming experiences. While there are numerous choices for solo players who prefer deck-building games with a Roguelike twist, the options for those who wish to play cooperatively are more scarce, unless they’re open to using mods.

As a gamer hankering for a cooperative gaming experience, I’m thrilled to discover there are some top-tier masterpieces on offer, albeit in limited numbers! These games skillfully blend the classic deck-building mechanics that fans of this genre adore with a dash of teamwork and a sprinkle of unexpected twists. Some of these twists are comfortably familiar, like building decks, while others take us on an exciting journey through managing civilizations – not your everyday deck-builder!

5 Hexarchy

4X Strategy With Deck Building

1–10 Players
Online Multiplayer Only
Developed by Main Tank Software
Available On Steam

As a devoted admirer, I must say that Hexarchy bears a striking resemblance to the beloved Civilization series when it comes to the layout, gameplay mechanics, and underlying themes. What truly sets Hexarchy apart as an exceptional multiplayer game is its speed, particularly in contrast to games like Civilization, which can stretch over days for a single session (at best). Not everyone is looking for games that last forever. With Hexarchy, you can dive into a game within the hour, yet still savor all the strategic depth and mechanics you’d find in a typical 4X strategy game.

As a card game creator, Hexarchy stands firm on its foundation. The game exhibits a commendable balance and is intuitive enough to play without the need for a tutorial – a trait that sets it apart from many 4X games. Despite this user-friendly approach, it offers strategic depth that allows players to fine-tune their decks extensively. However, remember that like many 4X games, CPU turns must be simulated, making Hexarchy not a cooperative game designed for low-end PCs.

4 Azoove

Story Oriented Resource Management Roguelike

1-4 Player Co-Op
Online Multiplayer Only
Developed by Timeless Toucan
Available On Steam

“Azoove” is a game centered around desert expedition resource management, mirroring the challenging nature of such a journey. This game was primarily designed for cooperative play and excels at it, introducing unexpected elements that surpass expectations, not just in the realm of cooperative games but also among top-tier deck builders, roguelikes, and dungeon crawlers. “Azoove” masterfully combines various genres to create a unique and captivating experience.

Azoove is an exceptional choice for cooperative gaming groups who appreciate deck building and crave a challenging experience that combines strategy, survival, and resource management. The narrative isn’t just good; it’s well-crafted, and the developers have managed to capture the essence of the game beautifully through its atmosphere and unique aspects.

3 Aeon’s End

Wizard Based Board Game Adaptation

1-4 Player Co-Op
Local Multiplayer Only
Developed by Handelabra Games Inc.
Available On Steam

The video game “Aeon’s End” is derived from a board game with the same title, and its gameplay has been seamlessly adapted into a digital format. What makes “Aeon’s End” an exceptional cooperative game is that it demands substantial teamwork and strategy for a mission to be victorious. Essentially, players find themselves battling against an unnamed adversary in defense of their town. Overcoming this adversary requires strategic planning, a requirement familiar to both tabletop gamers and virtual card-building enthusiasts alike due to its prevalence in top-tier deck builders.

A standout feature that sets Aeon’s End apart from other deck builders is its innovative approach to randomization. Unlike traditional methods, cards are not reshuffled but instead are redrawn in the sequence they were discarded. Moreover, the turn order is randomly determined, ensuring unpredictability and keeping players guessing about their position in the cycle. This results in a situation where a player could be moving eight times consecutively before the nemesis strikes, or the nemesis might get two turns in a row, causing significant chaos. Consequently, cooperation among players becomes vital, and strategic thinking is crucial as each move can have far-reaching effects on the game’s outcome.

2 HELLCARD

Slay The Spire With Tactical RPG Mechanics

1-4 Player Co-Op
Online Multiplayer Only
Developed by Thing Trunk
Available On Steam

HELLCARD excels in satisfying the craving that Slay the Spire left unfulfilled for many gamers. Similar to other cooperative dungeon crawlers, HELLCARD is designed for multiplayer. In this game, players pick their class and venture into a dungeon to gather loot and vanquish enemies floor by floor. Contrary to its name, HELLCARD isn’t a cooperative horror game; instead, it’s fantasy-based and the classes are familiar from role-playing games (rogue, warrior, mage).

While HELLCARD doesn’t necessitate a mod for multiplayer, unlike Slay the Spire, it doesn’t simply mimic Slay the Spire in being a deck-building roguelike. Instead, it incorporates tactical RPG elements, where enemy positioning becomes significant. Players can employ cards that inflict area-of-effect damage, deal more harm to enemies at greater distances, and so forth. This additional layer enhances cooperative gameplay, making it an excellent choice for groups fond of games such as For The King, but with the added deck-building aspect. The game offers a vast array of cards, ensuring each class plays uniquely.

1 Across The Obelisk

Dungeons And Dragons In A Deck Builder

Venturing Through the Obelisk draws significant influence from games like Slay the Spire, yet it significantly expands on every facet of the genre, earning it a place among the greatest cooperative or solo PvE deck builders. Journeying across a map filled with various encounters, side quests, bosses, and more in The Obelisk, players collect XP, acquire and unlock cards, and collaborate to defeat adversaries in combat. What sets Across The Obelisk apart as an exceptional deck builder is the wide array of characters/classes available, each offering unique and viable builds for endless experimentation.

Playing Across the Obelisk cooperatively is highly recommended because a single player would struggle managing and constructing four distinct characters during a game due to the intricacy of each character’s build. In cooperative mode, players can collaborate strategically in battles by defeating enemies in an optimal sequence, keeping each other alive, boosting one another, and so forth. Moreover, cooperation extends beyond combat as players can combine their deck-building efforts to create decks that complement and enhance one another’s playstyles!

2024-08-09 07:34