Union of Gnomes

Union of Gnomes is one of the most unexpected treats I’ve had the pleasure of playing this year. It came onto my radar out of nowhere, and while it won’t replace Monster Train 2 as my primary deckbuilder, it’s got enough creativity and replayability that it’s something I’m confident will remain in my rotation for the foreseeable future at least. While it may not be the most visually appealing experience, and its leveling curve could use a little fine-tuning, its robust deckbuilding and focus on resource management in the form of weiners is strong enough to overcome those shortcomings overall. If you’re tired of the heavyweights of the genre and want something a little quirky that really understands the fundamentals of the genre, Union of Gnomes is a worthy addition to any deckbuilding fan’s collection.

Union of Gnomes takes the now-familiar terrain of deckbuilder roguelites and adds some neat twists that turn the usual card management system into supply management. With a slick, colorful art style and quick gameplay that handles well on Steam Deck, it’s great for quick sessions, but benefits more from strapping in and figuring out the game’s various quirks if you truly want to delve into everything the game has to offer. Unique and cheeky, it’s a great addition to a genre that’s both overstuffed and yet lacking real headliners beyond its most famous brand ambassador, Slay the Spire.