Shards of Order Throws Out Traditional Deckbuilding Rules

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Launching on Steam on July 28, Awaken Realms and Fardust’s upcoming dark fantasy RPG Shards of Order replaces traditional combat systems with a unique mechanic built entirely around time. Every enemy has a visible countdown showing exactly when they will act, and every card you play changes those timers. Push an enemy’s attack further away, speed up an ally, or miscalculate entirely and watch your plans fall apart.

Outside of battles, Shards of Order also leans heavily into RPG mechanics. You control three distinct heroes, each with their own progression paths, abilities, and personal stories. Equipment plays a major role as well, since weapons and armor add new cards directly into the party’s shared deck, making every gear choice a strategic decision.

Unlike many modern deckbuilders, the game isn’t structured as a roguelike. Instead, you will explore handcrafted regions, make story decisions, complete skill checks, and confront powerful bosses while attempting to restore the broken Laws that once governed reality.