Indies' Lies is a roguelike deck-building RPG that builds on the familiar cycle of collecting cards, fighting increasingly dangerous enemies, and adapting a strategy to whatever opportunities appear during a run. Developed by Fun Square Games and published by Erabit, it distinguishes itself through a strong emphasis on party building, character development, Talents, Runes, equipment, and an unusually large selection of cards. The result is a game that feels approachable at the beginning but gradually reveals considerable strategic depth.
Combat is turn-based and driven almost entirely by the deck you assemble. Every encounter becomes a question of resource management, card order, defensive planning, and deciding when to commit to an aggressive play. Enemy behavior encourages players to pay attention rather than simply use the strongest card available. Some turns are about dealing as much damage as possible, while others are better spent protecting the party, preparing effects, or establishing combinations that become powerful later. This makes battles feel like tactical puzzles, especially once more complicated enemies and character mechanics enter the equation.
One of the strongest features is the party system. Instead of restricting every adventure to a single isolated hero, the game allows additional characters to become part of the team. These partners contribute abilities and cards that can dramatically alter how a deck functions. Selecting companions therefore becomes an important strategic decision. A character capable of covering a weakness in the primary hero's deck can be more valuable than one who simply provides additional damage. When the right heroes, cards, and effects come together, the combat system produces some highly satisfying combinations.
There are 12 playable characters divided among four classes, providing plenty of room to experiment with different approaches. Their individual mechanics help prevent subsequent runs from feeling like minor variations of the same strategy. A large card pool of more than 700 cards further increases the number of possible builds. However, quantity alone is not what makes the system interesting. The real appeal comes from learning which cards work together and knowing when to reject an attractive reward because it would make the deck less consistent.
Runes add another useful layer of customization by modifying cards and allowing players to reshape their effectiveness. Combined with the ability to replace cards, this provides greater control over deck development than simply accepting whatever rewards appear. Talents deepen character progression further, with roughly 160 available possibilities and procedurally generated Talent trees. Since the available progression can change, players are encouraged to adapt rather than repeat exactly the same upgrade sequence during every attempt.
Exploration follows the randomized structure expected from a roguelike. Routes present battles, events, quests, mini-games, and other opportunities that can influence the direction of a run. Decisions about where to travel can be almost as important as decisions made during combat because rewards and risks affect the long-term strength of the party. With around 90 enemy types and numerous items to discover, there is enough variety to keep the journey unpredictable for a substantial amount of time.
The world of Mekaa also gives the game more personality than a purely mechanical card battler. Its setting mixes dark fantasy with elements of an emerging industrial era, creating a civilization caught between older traditions and technological change. Adventure content gradually provides information about this world, while individual character stories explore the backgrounds of the playable cast. Narrative is not the dominant attraction, but it gives context to the characters and helps make progression feel like more than a sequence of disconnected card battles.
Presentation is functional and attractive, with illustrated characters and cards carrying much of the visual identity. Information is generally presented clearly, which is important when several effects, cards, status conditions, and enemy actions need to be understood quickly. Players coming from more visually elaborate RPGs may find the presentation relatively modest, but the artwork suits the fantasy atmosphere and keeps attention focused on strategy.
The main weakness is that its many interconnected mechanics can occasionally become overwhelming. Cards, companions, Runes, Talents, equipment, events, and randomized rewards all need to be considered, particularly during more demanding runs. Randomness can also produce situations where a planned strategy never receives the pieces needed to reach its full potential. Experienced roguelike players will recognize this as part of the genre, although anyone who prefers completely predictable progression may find it frustrating.
Steam Deck compatibility is currently listed as Playable rather than fully Verified. The game can therefore be enjoyed on Steam Deck, although players may encounter minor usability considerations compared with a title specifically optimized to meet every Verified requirement. Its turn-based structure is nevertheless naturally suited to portable sessions because there is no pressure to make rapid real-time inputs.
Indies' Lies ultimately succeeds by offering considerably more than a straightforward succession of card battles. Party construction, hundreds of cards, extensive Talents, Rune customization, randomized encounters, equipment, multiple heroes, and character stories create a flexible framework with substantial replay value. Not every run will produce an ideal combination, but discovering unexpected synergies is precisely where much of the enjoyment comes from. For players who appreciate tactical deckbuilders and enjoy experimenting with increasingly specialized builds, it is an engaging and content-rich choice.
Rating: 7/10
