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Shardpunk

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2023

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Quick resume

The war is lost, the Capitol lies in ruins, and you’re on the run! Shardpunk mixes turn-based tactical strategy with RPG, survival, and resource management as you gather your team, scavenge for resources, fight enemy hordes, and seek shelter to live another day.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Challenging and satisfying tactical combat
    • Strong replayability with unlockables and randomized maps
    • Engaging pixel art and atmospheric sound design
    • Well-balanced difficulty curve
    • Active developer support and free dlcs

    Cons

    • Minimal story and character depth
    • Limited enemy and map variety
    • Some ui and control quirks
    • Lack of multiplayer or social features
    • Runs can be long and repetitive for some players

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players choose characters, weapons, upgrades, and tactical approaches freely; multiple paths and strategies available."

    • Competence
      4

      "Challenging tactical combat requiring skillful positioning, resource management, and decision-making."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on personal progress and survival rather than direct competition or leaderboards."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players engage in long runs with high replay value due to unlockables and varied characters."

    • Cooperation
      -2

      "Gameplay centers on managing own squad; no multiplayer or cooperative play mentioned."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Weapon upgrades and character builds allow some customization, though within predefined frameworks."

    • Domination
      -4

      "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is single-player and cooperative within squad."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Provides immersive tactical experience and atmosphere that distracts from real life."

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players try different characters, builds, and tactics; maps and enemy spawns are randomized."

    • Exploration
      2

      "Randomized maps and branching paths encourage some discovery, though within limited map variety."

    • Expression
      2

      "Character and weapon customization allow some self-expression, though limited by pixel art style."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Set in a steampunk world with rat-like enemies and fictional lore, providing imaginative fiction."

    • Fellowship
      -3

      "Single-player experience with minimal social interaction or community focus."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills, unlock characters, and improve weapons over time."

    • Health
      -4

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires constant attention and strategic focus during combat and management phases."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "No evidence of close social relationships; character interactions are minimal and scripted."

    • Leadership
      3

      "Players lead and manage a squad, making strategic decisions and directing actions."

    • Progression
      4

      "Strong emphasis on unlocking characters, upgrading weapons, and gaining skills."

    • Relaxation
      -2

      "Tense and challenging gameplay with pressure from enemy swarms and resource scarcity."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Engaging pixel art, sound design, and music create stimulating sensory experience."

    • Status
      -4

      "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual gameplay."

    • Story
      1

      "Minimal narrative and lore; story serves as backdrop rather than deep immersion."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around tactical planning, positioning, and resource management."

    • Thrill
      4

      "High tension from managing limited resources and surviving overwhelming enemy waves."

    • Value
      4

      "Players report good value for price with satisfying gameplay and replayability."

    • Violence
      4

      "Combat involves killing rat enemies with weapons and abilities; violence is central."

    • Survival
      5

      "Strong survival elements with resource management, avoiding death, and strategic defense."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026