Deckbuilders: love them or hate them; they promise strategy, progression, and the thrill of unleashing your inner mastermind. But just when you think you’ve seen it all, Deck of Haunts redefines the genre and leaves you wondering – can a house steal the spotlight as a main character?
Developed by Mantis Games, Deck of Haunts answers the question, “What if The Sims had a goth phase and got really into Magic: The Gathering?” This innovative deckbuilder puts you in the spectral shoes of a sentient haunted house with a grudge against humanity, and the demo delivers one of the strangest—yet most intriguing—deckbuilding experiences in recent memory.
Set in 1970s America, you play as a bitter, abandoned 1920s art deco mansion turned malevolent. At its core lies a pulsating, stone heart—a literal manifestation of the house’s hatred. Your mission? Lure unsuspecting humans inside, terrify them into madness, or… eliminate them entirely. It’s your choice, and the dark humour makes it as engaging as it is sinister.
By day, you’re an interior decorator of doom, building rooms and upgrading your haunted house to maximise its fear factor. By night, you unleash a deck of haunt cards to torment anyone brave—or foolish—enough to enter. Think Hearthstone meets Luigi’s Mansion, but instead of Luigi, you’re the mansion itself.
The gameplay loop is both twisted and satisfying. Customise your mansion’s layout, adding traps and themed rooms to turn your house into a labyrinth of terror. Install a bell tower to summon a spectral witch or crush intruders with the bell itself.
When night falls, humans with varying levels of bravery wander into your lair. Use haunt cards to chip away at their sanity and health. Cards like “Shifting Hallways” transport them to random rooms, while others, like “Phantom Raking,” involve an invisible hand scratching at their flesh.
The endgame? Harvesting their essence. It’s as sinister as it sounds, but it’s essential for growing your mansion’s power and attracting even more daring—or reckless—visitors. Challenges escalate with adversaries like priests and law enforcement, adding delightful tension.
While short, the demo is bursting with personality. The art style is an eerie yet whimsical mix that perfectly complements the gameplay, and the sound design immerses you in the mansion’s malevolent world. The tone is intentionally strange—but in a way that feels like a playful wink from the developers rather than an accident.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you’ve ever wanted to be the villain in a survival horror game, Deck of Haunts is your dream come true. Its clever mechanics, dark humour, and atmospheric charm make it a standout indie title. The demo’s unique blend of fear and strategy has left me eagerly anticipating the full release. Whether you’re a deckbuilding enthusiast or just tired of being the scaredy-cat in horror games, this demo is a must-play.