Gordian Quest, which leaves Steam early access on June 23, is a card-based RPG inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and games like Ultima. With turn-based strategy combat reminiscent of SRPGs like Fire Emblem, Gordian Quest is a prime example of mixing multiple genres with effective results. It's also easy to learn, which means it should appeal to a wide audience.
A curse has caused the dead to rise, and a band of heroes heed the call of adventure. The dire state of the world also means bandits and other outlaws are taking advantage, and monsters are getting braver and moving closer to cities. Players may choose any hero they wish - and they can recruit additional party members as the story goes on. The characters themselves are based on easily recognizable and iconic Dungeons & Dragons classes like Cleric or Bard. Equipment blocks and stats are likewise inspired by D&D, as are the various abilities a character can use.
While there is a story in Gordian Quest, the main gameplay loop consists of combat stages, returning to the hub town - called the Garrison - to heal and get gear upgrades, and then heading back out to take on monsters, wolves, the undead, and anything else that poses a threat to law-abiding citizens. Players can choose which difficulty they want, and they can also choose to make the game more (or less) roguelike if they wish - for example, whether characters can visit the Garrison between stages or if they must complete the full stage set first. Still, the main gameplay loop remains the same and relies mostly on combat rather than storytelling or character interactions.
The gameplay loop is arguably the only downside to Gordian Quest. It can get repetitive after a while, and some of the battles lack variety. For anyone who spends time doing side quests - which are great for leveling up before continuing with the main story - it's even more of an issue. Quite a bit of it just feels too similar for its own good. People who are used to playing D&D with friends may find the adventure a bit lonely - there's no one to laugh or commiserate with if a D20 lands on a natural 1, no one to celebrate with when it lands perfectly on 20. At various points, characters will have to perform skill checks; passing or failing checks can be a source of hilarity or tragedy in Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, but as a single-player game, Gordian Quest can feel a bit lonely in this respect.
Despite these minor issues, Gordian Quest is a lot of fun and it's easy to spend hours fighting through enemies, upgrading characters, and getting loot. Depending on difficulty settings, side quests, and which roguelike options players choose, each act can take anywhere from a handful of hours to a dozen hours to complete, meaning there's plenty to do. While there's a lot of optional content, at least a bit of it will be necessary for leveling up and getting better gear.
The combat in Gordian Quest is a highlight, wonderfully blending card-based battles with D&D mechanics. With a roll of D20s, the playing order is decided (like rolling initiative in D&D) and combat begins. Because characters can only use abilities from cards in their "hand," even more strategy is often required. As additional waves of enemies appear, choosing an overpowered move to wipe out a minor mob can be a fatal mistake. All characters are on a grid, which means moving around is equally important. There's a lot going on, but it never feels overwhelming - and Gordian Quest does a good job of guiding players through these concepts during Act 1.
There's also the art style of Gordian Quest, which makes it one of the more charming hand-drawn video games out there. It's both reminiscent of the classic '80s D&D cartoon and also Critical Role's Vox Machina. The animations, though basic, are fluid; the character designs are interesting, and the undead enemies are a nostalgic reminder of anyone who played Dragon's Lair. In many ways, Gordian Quest feels like playing through a Don Bluth movie set in a high fantasy world - and it's wonderful.
Even people new to D&D or card-based RPGs like SteamWorld Quest should have no problem learning the ropes quickly. While it could've benefited from more character interactions and a stronger story, the combat and core gameplay loop are so engaging that many players probably won't even notice. Gordian Quest is a rare gem of an RPG that somehow manages to blend multiple genres into one game without making anything feel unwieldy.
A code for Gordian Quest was provided to Screen Rant for the purpose of this review.