Haeresis is a single-player strategy and casual roguelike deckbuilder for PC that draws directly from the solo card game Scoundrel. Players construct runs by deliberately incorporating enemies into their deck while ascending through a dark, ruined cathedral on a religious pilgrimage. The experience centers on repeated rounds of card play that reward careful management of health against accumulating scores, with opportunities to reshape the deck through additions, edits, and removals.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around strategic rounds of Scoundrel, where each decision balances immediate survival with long-term scoring potential. Enemies added to the deck create tension, as they must be handled without draining health too quickly. Trinkets obtained from shops and events modify how cards function, enabling combinations that scale scores dramatically across a run. Deck editing happens between rounds, allowing players to add powerful new cards, remove underperforming ones, or rearrange for better synergy. This process encourages experimentation with different builds, as synergies can compound to produce outsized results in later stages of a cathedral climb.
Health serves as the primary limiter, forcing players to weigh aggressive scoring moves against defensive plays. Trinkets alter card effects in targeted ways, such as boosting damage output or providing utility that fits specific strategies. The roguelike structure means each attempt through the cathedral starts fresh, with the deck and trinkets carrying forward only within a single run. This setup rewards iterative refinement, where early choices influence the viability of later synergies.
Game Modes
Haeresis operates as a single continuous roguelike experience without separate named modes. All play occurs through successive rounds of Scoundrel integrated into the cathedral ascent. The structure emphasizes progression via deck customization rather than distinct variants or competitive formats. Players engage in one primary style of run, focused on surviving rounds while pushing scores higher through collected trinkets and edited decks. Events and shops encountered during the climb provide the variety that keeps individual attempts distinct.
Core Mechanics and Progression
Deck construction forms the central system, with players actively inserting enemies to create high-risk, high-reward scenarios. Trinkets act as modifiers that change how existing cards behave, opening paths to powerful interactions. Shops and random events supply new options, while the ability to add, edit, or remove cards lets players tailor the deck to emerging playstyles. The ruined cathedral serves as the setting for these runs, with each floor presenting new opportunities to acquire items before facing tougher challenges. This combination keeps the focus on strategic adaptation rather than rote repetition.
Is It Worth Playing?
Haeresis suits players who enjoy roguelike deckbuilders with a strong emphasis on deck manipulation and synergy building. The inspiration from Scoundrel provides a familiar yet twisted foundation, where intentionally including enemies shifts the usual risk-reward dynamic. Those who appreciate casual strategy sessions with deep customization potential will find the loop of editing decks and chasing game-breaking scores engaging. As a single-player title with no confirmed multiplayer elements or seasonal content, it targets solo sessions centered on run-to-run improvement. The game remains in a pre-release state with a planned 2026 launch and currently lacks player reviews, so its final reception depends on how the systems perform at launch. Individuals drawn to deliberate card play and iterative build crafting may find it aligns well with their preferences once available.
