Novus Orbis – A Challenging and Innovative Roguelike Deckbuilder

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• Developer: Seizo Games
• Publisher: 2 Left Thumbs
• Platforms: PC
• Genre: Roguelike / Deckbuilder
• Release Date: February 10, 2025
• Initial Price: 9.75€
• Reviewed Version: PC

Novus Orbis is a roguelike deckbuilder that stands out in a crowded genre thanks to its unique combo system and strategic depth. Developed with a clear love for card games, it brings a fresh approach to deckbuilding by introducing mechanics that encourage careful planning and synergy. While the game is challenging and rewarding, it also has certain drawbacks that may not appeal to everyone.

Your task is to explore the last remnants of a broken world, fight enemies, and uncover secrets to restore order. The narrative serves only as a backdrop, but it provides just enough context to keep you engaged, without overemphasizing the story relative to the card battles. The game’s focus is on its mechanics and replayability, and in that segment, it offers plenty of content to explore.

Unique Blessing and Relic System

One of my favorite aspects of the game is the Blessing and Relic system. Blessings and relics are powerful upgrades that can significantly enhance your character, and they are obtained from bosses, in special rooms, and through secret interactions. On the other hand, pets provide additional support—they can attack, heal, or strengthen you with every turn. Once you understand how blessings work, it becomes clear that they are worth collecting first. For example, choosing a blessing that grants +2 evasion can significantly ease the fight against the second and third bosses.

Novus Orbis also relies heavily on status effects. The more strength or defense boosts you accumulate, the better your chances of winning. The game is full of hidden card interactions and events, which gives it extra depth and charm, but can also be frustrating. Some interactions are not clearly explained, and the consequences of your decisions sometimes feel random. I’m not a big fan of rooms that randomly heal you or deal damage. Although the game occasionally hints at whether enemies will be stronger or weaker, you never truly know what awaits you when you enter a new area.

The best strategy, at least for me, is to defeat as many mini-bosses and main bosses as possible. I particularly enjoyed the fight against the Mimic, and as I mentioned earlier, the stronger your status effects are, the easier it is to win. This led me to reflect on the importance of the cards themselves, as they seem to significantly change the course of the game, likely because they are well-balanced.

What definitely bothers me is the progression system, specifically how you unlock cards. To unlock new cards, you must complete achievements, or specific challenges. While this system is interesting, unlocking new things seems too difficult. After 10 hours of playing, I only completed 30% of what I should have, which shows that the game does not reward your effort. It might be a good idea to slightly ease or speed up this process, as not everyone has the time to complete every single achievement.

Unique Blessing and Relic System

One of my favorite aspects of the game is the Blessing and Relic system. Blessings and relics are powerful upgrades that can significantly improve your character, and they are obtained from bosses, in special rooms, and through secret interactions. On the other hand, pets provide additional support—they can attack, heal, or strengthen you with every turn. Once you understand how blessings work, it becomes clear that they are worth collecting first. For example, choosing a blessing that grants +2 Evasion can significantly ease the fight against the second and third bosses.

Novus Orbis also relies heavily on status effects. The more strength or defense buffs you stack, the higher your chances of winning. The game is full of hidden card interactions and events, which gives it extra depth and charm, but can also be frustrating. Some interactions are not clearly explained, and the consequences of your decisions sometimes feel random. I’m not a big fan of rooms that randomly heal you or deal damage. Although the game occasionally hints at whether enemies will be stronger or weaker, you never truly know what awaits you when you enter a new area.

The best strategy, at least for me, is to defeat as many mini-bosses and main bosses as possible. I particularly enjoyed the fight against the Mimic, and as I mentioned earlier, the stronger your status effects are, the easier it is to win. This led me to reflect on the importance of the cards themselves, as they seem to significantly change the course of the game, likely because they are well-balanced.

What definitely bothers me is the progression system, specifically how you unlock cards. To unlock new cards, you must complete achievements, or certain challenges. While this system is interesting, unlocking new things seems too difficult. After 10 hours of playing, I only completed 30% of what I should have, which shows that the game doesn’t reward your effort. It might be a good idea to slightly ease or speed up this process, as not everyone has the time to complete every single achievement.

Final Thoughts

Visually, Novus Orbis is clean and functional, with a minimalist art style that keeps the focus on the gameplay. The card design is clear and easy to read, and the animations are smooth. The environments are simple but effective, with a dark, atmospheric aesthetic that suits the theme of a broken world. The music is pleasant and complements the game well, although it can become repetitive during longer play sessions. The sound effects, especially during combat, contribute to the overall experience.

For fans of deckbuilding games who love a challenge, Novus Orbis is an easy recommendation. Its unique mechanics and high replayability make it a standout title in the genre. However, if you prefer simpler gameplay or are deterred by trial-and-error mechanics, you might find it less appealing. All in all, Novus Orbis is a carefully crafted game that pushes the boundaries of what a deckbuilder can be and is worth trying if you are looking for a fresh and challenging experience.

Review copy provided by the publisher