As We Descend similar games & best alternatives

As We Descend

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2025

Should you play it?

The apocalyptic roguelike deckbuilder with squad sculpting and deep tactics. Recruit the right units and outmaneuver titanic foes on dangerous expeditions. Build up allies and resources in the feudal Vault-City. Can you survive all the perils that await the last bastion of humanity?

What works
  • Deep and engaging tactical combat
  • Rich dark fantasy atmosphere and art
  • Meaningful deckbuilding and unit customization
  • Strong metaprogression and replayability
  • Active developer support and community engagement
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited content and factions in early access
  • Steep difficulty curve and punishing rng
  • Some ui and clarity issues
  • Runs can feel long and pacing uneven
  • City phase lacks impactful choices currently

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Dream Engines: Nomad Cities

  • Trials of Fire

  • Deadly Days

  • Heroes of Science and Fiction

  • Master of Magic

  • Banner of the Maid

  • Dimensionals

  • Ironcast

  • Epic Battle Fantasy 4
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Dimensionals

  • Caves of Lore

  • Dice With Death
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Fantasy

    Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster
  • Strategy

    Duelists of Eden
  • Autonomy

    Nitro Kid

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

As We Descend: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Fantasy, Strategy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have meaningful choices in deck building, character selection, and path progression, allowing control over strategy and playstyle."

    Capsule for Nitro Kid Nitro Kid

    "Players have significant control over deckbuilding, unit selection, and strategic decisions in both city and combat phases, allowing for personal playstyles and choices."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging tactical combat requiring skillful positioning, resource management, and deckbuilding mastery."

    Capsule for Trials of Fire Trials of Fire

    "The game offers challenging tactical combat requiring skillful management of stagger mechanics, unit positioning, and deck synergy, rewarding mastery and strategic thinking."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on individual runs and personal progression without explicit player-vs-player or leaderboard competition."

    Capsule for Power Fantasy Power Fantasy

    "Focus is on individual runs and personal progression without explicit player-versus-player or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report addictive gameplay loops and desire to replay for better runs and unlocks, indicating habitual engagement."

    Capsule for The Bleakest Keep The Bleakest Keep

    "Players report engaging gameplay loops and desire to replay multiple runs, indicating strong attachment and habitual play despite some pacing concerns."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay centers on individual decision-making and solo runs with no multiplayer or cooperative modes."

    Capsule for Hadean Tactics Hadean Tactics

    "Gameplay centers on individual decision-making and solo runs; no evidence of multiplayer or cooperative mechanics."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Deck building and ability customization encourage creative experimentation with builds and strategies."

    Capsule for Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot

    "Players customize decks, units, and city strategies with many combinations and synergies, fostering creative experimentation."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No indications of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single player focused."

    Capsule for Blaster Master Zero 2 Blaster Master Zero 2

    "No indications of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single-player focused and balanced."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "The dark fantasy setting, immersive atmosphere, and challenging gameplay provide a strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for HeXen II HeXen II

    "The immersive dark fantasy setting, rich atmosphere, and strategic gameplay provide a strong escape from reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no reports of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Lost Castle 2 Lost Castle 2

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no reports of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "The deck system and multiple builds encourage trying new combinations and strategies."

    Capsule for Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot

    "The game encourages trying new unit combinations, deck synergies, and strategies to overcome challenges and discover effective builds."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore new card synergies, pilots, and unlock content, though physical map exploration is limited."

    Capsule for StarVaders StarVaders

    "Players explore different expeditions, city events, and unlock new units and cards, though map exploration is limited and repetitive."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character and deck customization exists, but no deep avatar personalization or cosmetic modifications."

    Capsule for SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech

    "Some customization of decks and units exists, but no strong evidence of avatar personalization or cosmetic expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strongly rooted in dark fantasy, mythology, and supernatural themes with imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster

    "Strongly rooted in imaginative dark fantasy fiction with unique lore, monsters, and thematic storytelling."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community gameplay elements; focus is on solo play."

    Capsule for Monster Train 2 Monster Train 2

    "No social or community gameplay elements; focus is on solo play and personal experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn mechanics, improve strategies, and unlock new content, supporting personal development and mastery."

    Capsule for Crush the Industry Crush the Industry

    "Players learn complex mechanics, improve strategic skills, and unlock new content, supporting personal development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    Capsule for Two Point Museum Two Point Museum

    "Game is sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Runs require focused attention and strategic planning; not designed for passive or background play."

    Capsule for The Last Flame The Last Flame

    "Runs require focused attention and strategic planning; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to gameplay."

    Capsule for Dungeons of Aether Dungeons of Aether

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to gameplay."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players manage units and base building, implying some leadership roles in gameplay."

    Capsule for Village Feud Village Feud

    "Players manage and direct multiple units and city resources, implying some leadership over in-game entities."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong meta progression with unlocking cards, talents, and difficulty tiers; accumulating upgrades is key."

    Capsule for Roguebook Roguebook

    "Strong metaprogression with unlocking units, cards, and upgrades, though some players note limited depth currently."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Gameplay can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, but also rewarding and immersive."

    Capsule for Strife: Veteran Edition Strife: Veteran Edition

    "While some find the game immersive and satisfying, others report a steep difficulty curve and occasional frustration."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Unique art, animations, and sound design provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Sol Cesto Sol Cesto

    "High-quality art, animations, and sound design provide engaging sensory stimulation and emotional feedback."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or visibility mechanisms; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

    Capsule for Espresso Tycoon Espresso Tycoon

    "No social recognition or visibility mechanisms; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative flavor and lore enrich the experience, though gameplay is not heavily story-driven."

    Capsule for Solium Infernum Solium Infernum

    "The game features rich lore and atmospheric storytelling, though some players find story elements limited or repetitive."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Deep strategic gameplay with deckbuilding, positioning, and resource management."

    Capsule for Duelists of Eden Duelists of Eden

    "Deep strategic gameplay involving deckbuilding, unit placement, resource management, and tactical combat."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Challenging combat and boss encounters create tension and excitement."

    Capsule for Shank Shank

    "Challenging encounters and punishing difficulty create tension and excitement, though some frustration reported."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially with ongoing updates and content."

    Capsule for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially given ongoing updates and content."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves attacking and defeating enemies with various weapons and abilities; violence is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Beneath Oresa Beneath Oresa

    "Combat involves attacking and defeating enemies with various abilities; violence is a core gameplay element."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    4

    "Players must manage resources, avoid failure, and survive challenging encounters."

    Capsule for The Temple of Elemental Evil The Temple of Elemental Evil

    "Players must manage resources, avoid failure, and strategically survive increasingly difficult encounters."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026