Abalon is a roguelike game set in a tabletop-inspired world full of mystery and adventure. It combines turn-based tactical combat with deck-building elements, allowing players to battle monstrous hordes and formidable bosses. As players progress, they gather treasures, recruit allies, and cast powerful spells, with the ultimate goal of becoming a legendary dungeon crawler. The game offers a richly crafted environment filled with lore, humor, and various biomes such as forests, deserts, mountains, and dangerous dungeons to explore.
The gameplay features a top-down command system that puts players in the role of a deity guiding their characters in battle. Commands are intuitive—players can drag cards to cast spells, direct warriors to attack, or heal injured allies—all in quick, fluid encounters that last a few minutes. The game’s mechanics are designed for fluidity, allowing players to undo actions during combat and experiment with different tactics, providing endless tactical possibilities to outsmart opponents. Positioning, terrain, and facing play crucial roles in gaining the upper hand during fights.
One of Abalon's core features is its deep deck-building system. Players assemble decks of 20 cards from over 500 available, including characters, spells, and abilities. These characters range from quirky druids and evil lich kings to inventive steampunk rats and psychic lizard wizards, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Unlike typical role-playing games, Abalon forgoes grindy leveling in favor of fixed character stats and interchangeable gear, encouraging experimentation and strategic customization. Players can combine units and spells to create powerful synergies and unique strategies, discovering new combinations with each playthrough.
Additionally, the game offers engaging exploration across a dynamic fantasy world filled with diverse environments and lively lore. Players roll D20 dice to determine the outcomes of encounters, making each adventure unpredictable. There is also a collection aspect, with free gameplay complemented by paid expansions that add new cards, game modes, and challenges—without intrusive monetization methods like randomized booster packs. Abalon supports cross-platform play, allowing users to enjoy the game on various devices both online and offline. Developed by D20 Studios, the game emphasizes creativity, community, and long-term support with a vision for continuous growth over many years.