Iris and the Giant similar games & best alternatives
Iris and the Giant
2020
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Quick resume
Iris and The Giant is a fusion of the CCG, RPG and roguelike genres. You play as Iris, who must brave her fears in her imaginary world. Dive into a melancholic and gripping adventure, filled with cute monsters and buried memories. Ready to face your inner demons?
Global score
88/100
Genres
Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Card & Board Game, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical, Puzzle, Adventure
Pros
- Unique and engaging deckbuilding mechanics
- Emotional and touching narrative
- Beautiful minimalist art style
- Challenging and strategic gameplay
- Good value for price especially on sale
Cons
- Some bugs and technical issues
- Limited replayability after main story
- Lack of detailed tutorials and explanations
- Fixed level layouts reduce variety
- Some frustrating difficulty spikes and rng dependence
Motivations
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Autonomy3
"Players have meaningful choices in card play, path selection, and upgrades, allowing control over strategy despite some fixed level layouts."
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Competence4
"The game offers challenging tactical combat requiring skillful deck and resource management, with a learning curve and strategic depth praised by players."
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Competition-3
"Focus is on personal progression and strategy rather than direct competition or leaderboards; players set their own goals and pace."
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Continuation1
"Some players report replayability through unlocks and achievements, but others find limited long-term engagement after completing main content."
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Cooperation-5
"Single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."
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Creativity2
"Players customize their deck and choose upgrades, but the game uses mostly predefined cards and fixed level designs."
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Domination-5
"No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and non-competitive."
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Escapism4
"The game’s narrative and atmosphere provide emotional immersion and a way to explore inner struggles, serving as an escape from real life."
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Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."
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Experimenting3
"Players experiment with different card combinations, strategies, and upgrade paths to overcome challenges."
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Exploration1
"Some exploration of secret paths and hidden elements exists, but main levels are mostly static and linear."
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Expression-2
"Limited customization mostly tied to deck and upgrade choices; no avatar or environment personalization."
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Fantasy4
"Strong fantasy elements with mythical creatures and imaginative narrative representing inner emotional struggles."
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Fellowship-5
"No social or community gameplay elements; experience is solitary."
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Growth4
"Players develop skills and knowledge through repeated runs, unlocking new cards, powers, and strategies."
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Health-5
"No physical activity or health-related gameplay aspects."
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Idle-3
"Requires focused attention and strategic planning; not suited for casual or background play."
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Intimacy-5
"No close social interactions or relationship-building features."
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Leadership-5
"No leadership or group management mechanics present."
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Progression4
"Strong progression through unlocking cards, memories, imaginary friends, and upgrades across runs."
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Relaxation3
"Generally described as relaxing with a balanced challenge, though some frustration reported at difficulty spikes."
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Sensation2
"Enjoyable art, music, and sound design provide pleasant sensory experience, though not highly intense."
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Status-5
"No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."
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Story4
"Narrative is a key component, emotionally engaging and integrated into gameplay, though some find it simplistic."
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Strategy4
"Requires tactical thinking, planning card usage and enemy prioritization; praised for strategic depth."
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Thrill2
"Some tension and challenge in combat, but overall experience is more contemplative than adrenaline-fueled."
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Value3
"Generally considered good value especially on sale, with many hours of engaging gameplay for the price."
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Violence2
"Combat involves defeating enemies with cards, but violence is stylized and symbolic rather than graphic."
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Survival3
"Players must manage resources and avoid failure by careful planning and card management."
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Last update: 06/03/2026