Roguebook, A New Game From Magic: The Gathering Creator Richard Garfield, Releases A Week Earlier

Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield's latest project Roguebook, a deckbuilding roguelike game (similar to Dicey Dungeons, Hand of Fate, and Slay the Spire) will be released on June 17, 2021, a week ahead of schedule for PC players.

NACON and Abrakam Entertainment have announced the earlier release date of Roguebook, and they celebrated the news with a new trailer that focues on the game's deckbuilding mechanics.

Developed by Abrakam Entertainment (responsible for the underrated CCG Faeria), and co-designed by Richard Garfield (Magic: The Gathering creator), Roguebook is a digital turn-based deckbuilder PC game that shares the same setting as Faeria, which features the same kind of visual style —part children's fairytale book, part Miyazaki forest.

Here are Roguebook's gameplay details from the press release:

Each hero has a unique set of cards, and players must expertly manage their deck, create synergies between heroes and control their position during fights, such as putting defensive heroes at the front to protect the damage dealer of the team. While exploring, players add cards to their deck, and these cards can be upgraded by adding gems to them or transmute them into new, even more powerful cards. Roguebook also introduces a new philosophy in deckbuilding games: by expanding their deck, players unlock unique talents and skills for their heroes… But in returns, they'll also have to face more unpredictability in handling a towering deck! At the start of each chapter, only a portion of the map is revealed, including the path to the boss. Players are encouraged to explore the map and use the ink system to reveal hidden areas. Many treasures, enemies and events can be found to help make your team as strong as possible for the final fight. As it is a roguelike, defeat means starting all over again… But all is not lost: Roguebook has a permanent upgrade system with new unlockable cards and new abilities for the heroes. And for players who want to uncover all the Roguebook's secrets, there is the Epilogue system, which can be used to add customised challenges and earn bigger rewards. This greatly increases the replay value of Roguebook.

Here are the key features of the game:

Six Hero Pairs – Choose two heroes to start a game. Each hero has a collection of over 50 cards, a personal relic and a unique skill tree.

Maximize Synergies – The hero at the front protects the hero at the back. Switch the positions of your heroes and combine their strengths to unleash powerful combos.

Strategic Battles – Skillfully anticipate and queue up your actions to defeat over 40 bosses and enemies.

Build Your Deck as You Play

Dynamic Deckbuilding – Over 200 cards to cleverly assemble as the game progresses. You will never play with the same deck twice.

Relics with Unique Powers – Upgrade your cards with 30 special gems. Collect 80 relics with extraordinary effects.

More Cards, More Power! – Each hero has a unique skill tree to unlock. Collect cards and select the best skills!

Explore a World That Changes with Each New Brushstroke

The Book Changes Each Time You open It – The map along with its mysteries and dangers are procedurally generated for a brand-new challenge every time.

Paint the World – The Roguebook's pages are composed of hexagonal tiles. Use magic inks that reveal different patterns to fully explore each page.

A Range of Encounters – Merchants, travelers, ruins, quests, etc. Lots of chances to obtain cards and relics… or to fall into a trap!

Each Run Counts in the Quest to Defeat the Roguebook

Hours and Hours of Fun – 20 hours on average to beat the game, hundreds of hours to unlock everything.

Progress at Your Own Pace – Collect pages and use them to buy upgrades. Level up your heroes to unlock new cards.

20 Difficulty Levels – Defeat the final boss to unlock the Epilogue level. Each level grants access to new relics, gems and encounters, but also spawns tougher enemies.

Roguebook is scheduled to release on Steam on June 17; and it will be released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch at a later date.

Related: Roguebook Gameplay Trailer Reveals Combat Mechanics, Chapters, Epilogue System & More