Three of the game's mercenaries, Nikto, Thasar and Strom, under a red moon.

Ashcrown Gauntlet

A dark-fantasy roguelite of turn-based, three-on-three battles, played out in a living book.

Gameplay trailer

Music: “Ignition” by Alexander Nakarada (creatorchords.com), edited for this trailer. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

How it plays

Full-size screenshot: A duel: Cleo, Cronos and Azrael against Skret, Nomagi and Yesfiel, with three actions queued for the turn.

Three mercenaries, one pool of energy

Each mercenary has four abilities, and all three spend the same energy. Every turn is a bet on order and cost: who strikes first, who shields, what you can afford and what you hold back. No grid, no movement, just the sharpest plan you can make before the enemy answers.

Full-size screenshot: The spoils of a duel: Nerissa recruited in Strom's place, beside abilities and charms that could be taken instead.

Beat them. Recruit one.

Beat a challenger and they're yours for good. Swap them into your team, or teach one of their abilities to a mercenary of your own. Then twist it all with signature items, weapons, charms and treasures.

Full-size screenshot: The Darksteel crown's last challenge: Ascended Hrom, the Thunder King, over a storm, with his health, his abilities and the rules his duel adds.

Climb eleven crowns. Each ends in a boss.

Each crown is a trial of duels against challengers you choose, with wagers that raise the stakes for richer spoils. At the top waits a boss that plays by its own rules.

Full-size screenshot: Preparing a trial: Thasar, Nikto and Strom chosen from a roster of mercenaries' portraits.

Keep every mercenary you earn

Fall, and the trial ends, but every mercenary you've earned stays with you, each with a story of their own. Bring them against a Steam friend: pick your team in secret, or draft in turns.

Coming to Steam

A single-player roguelite for Windows, with matches against Steam friends. Its release date is yet to be announced.

Wishlist on Steam