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As We Descend similar games & best alternatives

As We Descend

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2025

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Quick resume

The apocalyptic roguelike deckbuilder with squad sculpting and deep tactics. Recruit the right units and outmaneuver titanic foes on dangerous expeditions. Build up allies and resources in the feudal Vault-City. Can you survive all the perils that await the last bastion of humanity?

Global score

87/100

Genres

Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Early Access, Turn-based strategy (TBS)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and engaging tactical combat
    • Rich dark fantasy atmosphere and art
    • Meaningful deckbuilding and unit customization
    • Strong metaprogression and replayability
    • Active developer support and community engagement

    Cons

    • Limited content and factions in early access
    • Steep difficulty curve and punishing rng
    • Some ui and clarity issues
    • Runs can feel long and pacing uneven
    • City phase lacks impactful choices currently

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have meaningful choices in deck building, character selection, and path progression, allowing control over strategy and playstyle."

      Capsule for Nitro Kid Nitro Kid

      "Players have significant control over deckbuilding, unit selection, and strategic decisions in both city and combat phases, allowing for personal playstyles and choices."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game offers challenging tactical combat requiring skillful positioning, resource management, and deckbuilding mastery."

      Capsule for Trials of Fire Trials of Fire

      "The game offers challenging tactical combat requiring skillful management of stagger mechanics, unit positioning, and deck synergy, rewarding mastery and strategic thinking."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on individual runs and personal progression without explicit player-vs-player or leaderboard competition."

      Capsule for Power Fantasy Power Fantasy

      "Focus is on individual runs and personal progression without explicit player-versus-player or leaderboard competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report addictive gameplay loops and desire to replay for better runs and unlocks, indicating habitual engagement."

      Capsule for The Bleakest Keep The Bleakest Keep

      "Players report engaging gameplay loops and desire to replay multiple runs, indicating strong attachment and habitual play despite some pacing concerns."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay centers on individual decision-making and solo runs with no multiplayer or cooperative modes."

      Capsule for Hadean Tactics Hadean Tactics

      "Gameplay centers on individual decision-making and solo runs; no evidence of multiplayer or cooperative mechanics."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Deck building and ability customization encourage creative experimentation with builds and strategies."

      Capsule for Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot

      "Players customize decks, units, and city strategies with many combinations and synergies, fostering creative experimentation."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No indications of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single player focused."

      Capsule for Blaster Master Zero 2 Blaster Master Zero 2

      "No indications of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single-player focused and balanced."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "The dark fantasy setting, immersive atmosphere, and challenging gameplay provide a strong escape from real life."

      Capsule for HeXen II HeXen II

      "The immersive dark fantasy setting, rich atmosphere, and strategic gameplay provide a strong escape from reality."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no reports of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Lost Castle 2 Lost Castle 2

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no reports of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "The deck system and multiple builds encourage trying new combinations and strategies."

      Capsule for Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot

      "The game encourages trying new unit combinations, deck synergies, and strategies to overcome challenges and discover effective builds."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Players explore new card synergies, pilots, and unlock content, though physical map exploration is limited."

      Capsule for StarVaders StarVaders

      "Players explore different expeditions, city events, and unlock new units and cards, though map exploration is limited and repetitive."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Some character and deck customization exists, but no deep avatar personalization or cosmetic modifications."

      Capsule for SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech

      "Some customization of decks and units exists, but no strong evidence of avatar personalization or cosmetic expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strongly rooted in dark fantasy, mythology, and supernatural themes with imaginative fiction."

      Capsule for Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster

      "Strongly rooted in imaginative dark fantasy fiction with unique lore, monsters, and thematic storytelling."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community gameplay elements; focus is on solo play."

      Capsule for Monster Train 2 Monster Train 2

      "No social or community gameplay elements; focus is on solo play and personal experience."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn mechanics, improve strategies, and unlock new content, supporting personal development and mastery."

      Capsule for Crush the Industry Crush the Industry

      "Players learn complex mechanics, improve strategic skills, and unlock new content, supporting personal development."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Ale & Tale Tavern Ale & Tale Tavern

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Runs require focused attention and strategic planning; not designed for passive or background play."

      Capsule for The Last Flame The Last Flame

      "Runs require focused attention and strategic planning; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to gameplay."

      Capsule for Fida Puti Samurai Fida Puti Samurai

      "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to gameplay."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Players manage and direct their units strategically, though no leadership over other players."

      Capsule for Northend Tower Defense Northend Tower Defense

      "Players manage and direct multiple units and city resources, implying some leadership over in-game entities."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong meta progression with unlocking cards, talents, and difficulty tiers; accumulating upgrades is key."

      Capsule for Roguebook Roguebook

      "Strong metaprogression with unlocking units, cards, and upgrades, though some players note limited depth currently."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      1

      "Gameplay can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but also rewarding and immersive."

      Capsule for Strife: Veteran Edition Strife: Veteran Edition

      "While some find the game immersive and satisfying, others report a steep difficulty curve and occasional frustration."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Unique art, animations, and sound design provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

      Capsule for Sol Cesto Sol Cesto

      "High-quality art, animations, and sound design provide engaging sensory stimulation and emotional feedback."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

      "No social recognition or visibility mechanisms; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

      Capsule for Espresso Tycoon Espresso Tycoon

      "No social recognition or visibility mechanisms; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Narrative flavor and lore enrich the experience, though gameplay is not heavily story-driven."

      Capsule for Solium Infernum Solium Infernum

      "The game features rich lore and atmospheric storytelling, though some players find story elements limited or repetitive."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Deep strategic gameplay with deckbuilding, positioning, and resource management."

      Capsule for Duelists of Eden Duelists of Eden

      "Deep strategic gameplay involving deckbuilding, unit placement, resource management, and tactical combat."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Challenging combat and boss encounters create tension and excitement."

      Capsule for Shank Shank

      "Challenging encounters and punishing difficulty create tension and excitement, though some frustration reported."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially with ongoing updates and content."

      Capsule for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

      "Players generally feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially given ongoing updates and content."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves attacking and defeating enemies with various weapons and abilities; violence is a core gameplay element."

      Capsule for Beneath Oresa Beneath Oresa

      "Combat involves attacking and defeating enemies with various abilities; violence is a core gameplay element."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Players must manage resources, avoid death, and strategically survive difficult encounters."

      Capsule for Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition

      "Players must manage resources, avoid failure, and strategically survive increasingly difficult encounters."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fantasy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fellowship, Domination.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026