Shardkeep

Shardkeep is a run-based roguelike where each battle takes place on a gem board. Matching gems produces different effects: skulls attack, shields defend, and mana powers spells from the player’s spellbook. Matching four or more gems allows the player to keep the turn. Enemies show their intended actions in advance and can alter the board, using effects such as frost that locks gems, rocks that block lines, and hexes that reduce the value of matches.

A run is split into three acts, set in the Vault, the Molten Undercroft and the Facet Crown’s crystal court, each ending with a boss. Instead of a deck of cards, players assemble a spellbook from 24 spells across three schools of mana. Spells can be improved at campfires, and the spellbook is limited to eight spells. Players begin as one of three Callings: the Bladebound, the Wardkeeper or the Gildhand, each with different strengths.

Other features include 20 relics that change how the board behaves, such as doubling cascades, gold that cuts, frost immunity and a second life. Flasks are consumables that can be used without spending an action. Battles are deterministic, with all enemy intents visible and cascades resulting directly from the player’s moves. After a first victory, Ascension unlocks ten levels of increased difficulty. The game also has hand-painted art, ten achievements, cloud saves and text in 14 languages.