Slay The Spire and Animal Crossing Fans Have The Perfect Game to Check Out

Over the past few years, the roguelike deckbuilder genre has undergone significant development, transforming from the RPG-style gameplay of Slay the Spire to Balatro’s poker-inspired format with an amusing twist. At first glance, these deckbuilding games might seem straightforward, but they demand careful consideration and strategic thinking to create robust decks capable of overcoming powerful adversaries using the minimum number of moves possible.

A captivating roguelike deckbuilding game that’s been garnering interest among gamers is none other than Dog Witch. Its combat system bears a resemblance to Slay the Spire, while its characters are adorably reminiscent of Animal Crossing. Created by Heckmouse and published by Mystic Forge, this enchanting game will task players with memorizing more than 150 magical items and their combinations to aid the main character, the Dog Witch, in her journey.

Dog Witch Takes Players on a Magical Adventure

  • Release date: Not listed yet, but can already be wishlisted on Steam

In the story of “Dog Witch”, our protagonist undergoes a transformation into a bipedal dog and embarks on an adventure. Their objective is to amass magical artifacts and allies, eventually confronting and vanquishing their previous master, the Mad Master Wizard. This odyssey won’t be straightforward; adversaries like vindictive cat ladies and armed matryoshka dolls will attempt to thwart the Dog Witch at every turn. The gameplay shares similarities with “Slay the Spire”, as players must strategically select cards for each turn in order to conquer their foes. Additionally, a die-roll mechanism adds an element of unpredictability, prompting players to think ahead and make thoughtful decisions about their moves.

Similar to games like “Slay the Spire” and other deckbuilder roguelikes, “Dog Witch” offers approximately 150 cards with diverse capabilities. These cards enable players to collect magical artifacts, their corrupted versions, summon companions, and much more. Each dice roll serves to amplify Dog Witch’s spells and activate item effects. The rounds are typically quick, yet there is ample time for players to uncover numerous combinations and synergies that can aid them in their journey.

Gearing Up the Dog Witch Avatar For Battle

In the game known as “Dog Witch,” one standout aspect is the ability for players to personalize their characters. They can pick out the coat color, bark sound, hat design, and even the size or “chonkiness” of their character before diving into the game. This element reminds us a lot of “Animal Crossing,” where players can tailor their human villagers. Interestingly, several characters in Dog Witch look similar to the animal villagers found in Animal Crossing, thanks to their adorable and peculiar designs.

As players successfully finish levels, they’ll unveil various Dog Witch hats, each offering distinct abilities and obstacles. Every hat is known for bringing its own unique elements, making them a challenge to conquer with clever tactics. This system resembles the Fleeces in Cult of the Lamb, enhancing the character’s skills while also causing additional effects such as taking double damage upon being hit.

Dog Witch’s Replay Value is a Flex

As a devoted fan, I’ve found that despite its reputation for rapid-fire rounds, Dog Witch surprisingly offers a rich replay value. This allows players to refine their magical combos and synergies, as well as unlocking upgrades that aid in their adventure. It’s not uncommon for roguelike games like Dog Witch to have this kind of replayability because they provide opportunities for leveling up and learning more about the game lore when resting at base. Strategy games such as Dog Witch are all about exploring creative builds and rapidly adapting one’s skills on the fly.

Among the numerous games that roguelike deckbuilding enthusiasts can anticipate in either 2025 or 2026, “Dog Witch” is one of them. The game’s adorable visual style makes it an attractive option to play, particularly if it’s released before “Slay the Spire 2” hits early access this year.

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2025-05-29 02:35