Into the Restless Ruins

Into the Restless Ruins is doing a lot of things right, then, but the auto-combat doesn't have the exponential growth of Vampire Survivors to keep it interesting, and whatever story is present is easy to forget. However, again, the game's interesting structure is more than enough to make it well worth a look for roguelike fans.

The game’s simple premise guarantees fun; the deckbuilding and dungeon exploration, creating your own dungeons, is a pleasant surprise, proving that it’s possible to combine distinct ideas and deliver a cohesive experience.

The roguelike, deck-based dungeon builder Into the Restless Ruins may not be a big budget spectacle, but strategy game fans will find it a solid addition to their game library.

Into the Restless Ruins stands out for the way it guides the adventure, placing the responsibility on the player to forge their own path through the dungeons. Strategically planning the optimal route is an enjoyable challenge and showcases an idea with strong potential for further development in future titles. Unfortunately, the combat system falls short due to its lack of originality, which detracts somewhat from the overall experience. Still, despite its shortcomings, the game remains inventive and is a great recommendation for those looking for something different.

The peculiar gameplay of Into The Restless Ruins combines familiar but only seemingly incompatible game elements. Dungeon crawling, deck-building and roguelike blend to perfection in Ant Workshop's title, which rewards skill as much as daring and curiosity. Longevity is not its strong suit, but the experience is undoubtedly worth it.

What makes Into the Restless Ruins work is that I’m in total control of my destiny. Sure, I’m at the mercy of the draw when it comes to what cards I get to build my labyrinth—but ultimately, it’s up to me to decide how I lay out each run. The game loop just clicks. There are six dungeons to explore—each one more challenging than the last. If you’re a fan of Vampire Survivors or Blue Prince, this should absolutely be on your radar.

Into the Restless Ruins is a smart, atmospheric roguelike that reshapes the deckbuilder formula. Instead of stacking buffs or just fighting monsters, you architect your own dungeon and try to survive it — without a map, in the dark, with time and corruption closing in. Its few rough edges don’t outweigh the satisfaction of outwitting your own creation. With strong replay value, rich lore, and a unique approach to both exploration and combat, this is a standout indie gem for players who enjoy thinking several moves ahead.

A pretty unique mix of strategy, deckbuilding, and relatively light dungeon-crawling action help this to feel distinctive

Blue Prince meets Vampire Survivors: that's the best way to describe Into The Restless Ruins, a roguelike deckbuilding game with a twist. You place cards to build your dungeon, then explore it to gain experience. It's perhaps not as challenging as it could be, but it's a great deal of fun nonetheless.

I absolutely loved my time with Into the Restless Ruins' sim and survival mix and would love to see more indies boldly experiment like this. 🏛️