Obolus is a single-player strategy indie RPG that blends roguelike deckbuilding with party-based decision making on PC. Players control three heroes at once, each with an independent deck, hand, and resource pool of obols that must be spent each turn. The core loop revolves around choosing which hero acts, which cards to play, and in what sequence, creating layered tactical choices that go beyond standard single-deck builders.
Gameplay
Each turn presents three active hands drawn from separate decks. Spending an obol from one hero can enable a powerful move from another, such as using a healer's spare resource to fuel a brawler's finishing strike or positioning a gambler's setup for a knight's attack. Heroes include distinct archetypes like a bell-ringer building charged sequences, a painter replicating observed enemy actions, a smith crafting equipment during combat, and a symbiote spreading decay across enemy groups. The system emphasizes coordination across the trio rather than optimizing a single shared deck.
Progression occurs across six distinct worlds connected by a coachman named Sorel. The path forward is determined by cards dealt three at a time, forcing an immediate choice among options such as combat encounters, merchant visits, or shortcuts. Selecting one discards the alternatives permanently, and routes do not loop back. Encounters and vendors introduce trade-offs through blessings that grant power in exchange for drawbacks, relic reforging at an anvil, or a gambling minigame called Eighteen that can yield rewards or penalties.
Game Modes
The primary experience is a roguelike run through the six worlds with permadeath elements. Hardcore mode removes potions and save points entirely, requiring a single continuous attempt where any fallen hero remains unavailable for the rest of the run. This variant heightens the stakes of every resource decision and party composition choice. Standard runs allow more flexibility with recovery options, while the core three-hero mechanics remain consistent across both approaches.
Characters and Content
Twenty-two unique playable characters populate the roster, each designed with non-overlapping mechanics that alter how the three-hero party functions. A total of 787 cards support these heroes, paired with 71 enemy types including standard foes, elites, and bosses distributed across the six worlds. Optional underground encounters function as high-risk puzzles rather than mandatory fights, rewarding specialized party builds with unique armor pieces when completed successfully.
Controller support extends to Steam Deck, and the game includes full English and Italian localization for interface, audio, and subtitles.
Is It Worth Playing?
Obolus targets players who enjoy intricate deckbuilding systems and resource management puzzles in a single-player format. The simultaneous three-deck structure creates consistent decision depth without relying on multiplayer elements or live-service updates. As an unreleased title scheduled for September 2026, it currently has no player reviews or post-launch patches available. Those drawn to roguelike runs with meaningful party coordination and branching path choices may find the mechanics rewarding once it launches, particularly if they prefer deliberate tactical planning over faster-paced action. The absence of confirmed ongoing seasons or expansions means the experience will stand on its initial content of six worlds and the listed character and card counts.
