It’s not that often that a previously unknown game from a previously unknown developer can release a demo to a whopping 1,445 Very Positive Steam reviews. But that’s the impressive accolade already achieved by Guildrun, a hefty demo version of a (deep breath) PvE autobattler roguelite real-time strategy deckbuilder. This extraordinary combination of genres turns out to work extraordinarily well, and given what’s here in the free preview already feels like a satisfying experience, it’s well worth your time.
Guildrun‘s demo begins (following some nice comic book intros) with a choice of one of three randomly selected hero types. On the game I just started, those three are Karsu, a Frost-based Duelist; Scorn, a Poison and Stall-gifted Tank; and Ratna, a Crit-powered Mage. Whoever I chose will significantly define the sort of team I go on to build, thanks to the way Guildrun‘s synergies work. So let’s go with Scorn, since I’ve not led with a Tank before. He’s then thrown straight into his first battle, and nice easy fight with a demonic turtle, but before I begin I need to choose where to start him on a hex grid. I then hit “FIGHT” and the rest is taken care of for me. It’s an auto-battler after all.
The turtle defeated, I’m taken to the store screen which offers a huge range of options. First and foremost (and at this stage rather essentially) I can choose another character to join Scorn. Aria is a Frost/Burn Mage, Gustav is a Frost/Shield Mystic, and Nyx is a Rush-based Duelist. But I can also choose to buy Items, equipment that adds attack, defense or special skills to the hero I equip them to (three a piece), and indeed Relics that apply abilities across the whole team (and you can add as many as you wish). I definitely want to get Scorn an Enlarging Vest, since it adds 200 HP and recovers 10 HP a second, plus works with his Stall ability in gaining him even more HP and increasing his size.
But I need another team member, and the choice isn’t obvious. Here’s where tactics really dig in, because you want variety for a healthy approach to battles, but you also want similarities so the Relics you buy best aid as many of your team as possible. But given there’s no overlap here, and I only have 15 shards left to spend, I’ll go with Aria. Money spent, you then choose between as many as three possible directions, but in the first instance there’s just the one, to pick up your starter kit. Here you can choose between extra Shards, Items or Stat boosts. I went with an item and picked up an Accuracy Contract, which usefully improves Aria’s magic, but would be more useful on a Crit-based hero. Then we’re off to another battle, this time with two enemies, one a Mushroom Archer, one a Mushroom Tank.
It’s a tougher fight, but Scorn’s healing abilities prove very useful as Aria keeps her distance and lobs in spells. After winning, and adding a Stall-based Duelist (Irini) to my team, I then head to an Abandoned Camp where a Slay the Spire-style dialog lets me pick between two magic rings and a Shield Accumulator Relic. This obviously boosts shields, but also comes with its own mini-quest: apply 1250 shields and I’ll gain a bonus 15 Shards. So yes please. And then on to the next fight! And it’s at that point I remember I don’t have any Shield users.
Heroes are graded C and higher, and if one you’ve already got on your team appears on the shop it becomes an upgrade instead. Or you can spend more to get a better graded companion. And here Grace, graded B, makes sense. She’s a Shield/Stall/Backup Mystic, so fits in very well. The only issue is you can only have three Heroes on your team at any point. But, rather pleasingly, Guildrun lets you swap in your team after you see who you’ll be facing in a fight, including letting you juggle around Items. I pick a tougher battle choice for better rewards, and sorry Irini, you’re sitting out to give Grace a chance. But it’s a grim mess. Grace is no match for one of the two Mushroom Tanks, and once fallen that means it’s two against one on Scorn, with Aria unable to prevent the ranged attacks from two other enemies, and we all fall.
However, this is where the Emergency Rewind kicks in, and you get a second (and final) chance, with a boost in Shards to try to regather your team. I pick up Rowan, a Stall-forward Vanguard Tank, hoping he’ll pair better for this tougher fight, with Aria left in range, and boost her with a second Quiver to increase her attack speed. This proves far more effective, and this time we win, and because of the difficulty get to pick a mighty reward. I pick a Relic that increases the size and defense of my Tanks, and that feels good.
And on and on we go. There’s so much here in the demo that it feels closer to an Early Access release. This feels like it has very strong Next Big Thing energy, and given how much is already in place, it’s very exciting to see how much more is planned for the full release. You can pick up the free demo right now on Steam.
