Say Hello To The Next Big Deck-Building Games

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Deckbuilding games have become incredibly popular recently, thanks to hits like Balatro and Slay the Spire. While these games vary – some are fast-paced with quick restarts, and others are slower and require careful planning – they all share a rewarding feeling. That feeling comes from gradually building a powerful deck of cards and then successfully using a well-thought-out strategy to achieve a high score or defeat a challenging opponent.

The deckbuilding game genre has seen a surge of innovative titles recently, redefining what players expect. And the future looks promising, with a wave of new games on the horizon. We’re seeing sequels to popular games that are evolving established franchises, fresh takes on familiar gameplay, and even some truly groundbreaking ideas. While 2025 was a strong year for deckbuilding fans, 2026 is poised to be even better thanks to these exciting upcoming releases.

Net Raiders

Surviving Cyberspace With Nothing But Cards

  • Merge cards for powerful combos.
  • Each run is filled with random events.

Net Raiders feels remarkably similar to a card game based on the world of Cyberpunk 2077. It blends deckbuilding with RPG elements, immersing players in a chaotic virtual world where combat is essential for survival. A core part of the gameplay is the ‘merge’ mechanic, which lets you combine matching cards to activate one of three special abilities. ‘Enhance’ lets you improve a card’s power or change what it does, helping you adapt to different enemies. ‘Supply Merge’ lets you draw a new card from the spot where you merged, replenishing your hand and giving you more choices.

Transform is likely the most powerful ability, letting you change cards into others already in your hand – which can lead to amazing combinations and complex strategies. Each card transforms in a unique way, and also has special effects that trigger under certain conditions. For example, if your hand is full of attack cards, you might get a cost reduction on one, adding another layer of strategy. What really makes the game exciting is how different each playthrough feels. You’ll face random events and unpredictable enemies, each with their own unique challenges. Because you can’t really prepare for what’s coming, you’ll need to constantly adapt and improvise throughout the entire game.

Slay The Spire 2

Crazy Combos Right From The Start

  • New and returning characters and cards.
  • Requires constant adaptation the further you get into a run.

When people talk about deckbuilding games like Slay the Spire, it’s often the first title mentioned. The highly anticipated sequel promises to be even more unpredictable and exciting. Players start a new game by navigating a maze of rooms filled with dangerous enemies and secrets. As they progress, they’ll find new cards and abilities to strengthen their deck, turning it into a powerful strategic tool. Gameplay is constantly changing, and even experienced players will need to adapt their strategies as they climb higher, facing fresh challenges with each attempt.

The original game was popular because it was easy to pick up, but also allowed for surprisingly powerful and creative combinations. The sequel aims to capture that same feeling, starting players with a simple deck and gradually introducing more complex characters and strategies. With increased difficulty levels, players will need to really master the game to succeed. If it’s even half as enjoyable as the first, Slay the Spire 2 is on track to be a top deckbuilding game in 2026.

Hungry Horrors

Folklore Becomes Reality

  • A blend of deckbuilding and cooking mechanics.
  • Feed monsters to progress further.

Hungry Horrors is a unique fantasy game that blends strategic deckbuilding with the art of cooking. Instead of battling monsters, you’ll create complex recipes and feed them to the creatures you encounter. The game’s challenge comes from combining ingredients to create flavorful dishes – inspired by British cuisine – that will satisfy even the most terrifying of monsters.

The game also features roguelite elements, allowing players to return to their base to improve recipes and unlock new skills, helping them get closer to understanding the source of the kingdom’s hunger. Beyond simply getting stronger, players will learn how different flavors – like salty, sweet, and sour – combine to create powerful effects that can quickly change the course of a “battle”. Since each monster has unique tastes, players need to remember which dishes to make ahead of time to satisfy them, or they might become the next meal!

OPERATIVE: Revolve

Making Deckbuilding A Cinematic Experience

  • Different card types that can be chained together.
  • Interactions between different characters and enemies.

OPERATIVES: revolve is a unique deckbuilding game with roguelike elements, presented in a cinematic style. Players use cards representing machines to battle enemies and protect the world government. Like other deckbuilders, each card has special abilities, but OPERATIVES: revolve stands out because you can add components to cards, dramatically changing your strategy with each choice. What’s more, cards can be damaged or destroyed during combat, meaning you’ll need to carefully manage your deck and adapt to the challenges of each fight.

The enemies in this game make fights feel exciting and unpredictable, as their actions change with each playthrough, requiring constant focus. Battles come at you from all sides, so where you play your cards is just as important as what they do, creating a sense of pressure and making enemies truly threatening. The game’s strong visuals make every enemy and every fight look fantastic, transforming simple card game battles into a captivating experience that puts you right in the middle of the action.

Insider Trading

Balatro Meets The Stock Market

  • Use both peaks and dips to maintain profit.
  • Employ calculated gambles that can either be successful or catastrophic failures.

Insider Trading transforms the often-unpredictable stock market into a surprisingly addictive game. Players can influence stock prices and combine special abilities to profit from market fluctuations, carefully managing risk to avoid financial ruin. While clearly inspired by games like Balatro, Insider Trading carves out its own unique space with compelling visuals and satisfying audio cues. Every successful trade feels rewarding, and even losing can be strangely captivating.

While playing, players can visit a shop to purchase items and new cards that influence how the in-game market changes. As goals become more challenging, players need to consider the long-term performance of each stock, using cards to either boost or lower their value based on their previous choices. Insider Trading offers a fun and engaging take on the stock market, letting players quickly build virtual fortunes without any real financial risk.

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2025-12-26 04:05