Across the Obelisk: The Sunken Temple is a strategy RPG expansion that adds a new dungeon area to the base roguelike deck-building game Across the Obelisk. Players assemble a party of four heroes and navigate procedurally influenced maps filled with combat encounters, story events, and resource decisions. The expansion introduces a dedicated two-floor dungeon beneath Aquarfall that ties into the existing progression systems while expanding the available encounters and rewards.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on building and refining decks for each hero in the party. Cards determine attacks, defenses, and special abilities during turn-based battles against enemies. Exploration occurs on a node-based map where players choose paths that lead to fights, events, or rest points. Choices in events can alter future encounters, grant items, or introduce complications that carry forward through the run.
Combat emphasizes synergy between party members, as abilities from one hero can support or combo with others. Resource management plays a key role, with limited healing and upgrades available between fights. The new dungeon integrates directly into this structure by presenting a linear yet branching path with its own set of enemies, altars, and hidden passages that reward careful path selection.
Party composition remains flexible, allowing different hero combinations to tackle the same content through varied strategies. The expansion adds new story events that reveal background on an ancient civilization, along with a new companion pet that provides ongoing support during runs.
Game Modes
Play focuses on single-player campaigns or cooperative sessions where up to four participants control the party together. Runs follow a roguelike structure with permadeath, requiring players to restart after failure while carrying forward unlocks and meta-progression from previous attempts. The Sunken Temple content appears as an optional but integrated path within the larger Aquarfall region, accessible after certain prerequisites in the main map.
No separate competitive or versus modes exist. All activity stays within the cooperative adventure format, where success depends on adapting decks and party tactics to the shifting challenges of each run. The expansion's variable final guardian encourages multiple playthroughs to experience different outcomes and rewards based on prior choices.
The Sunken Temple Dungeon
This new area consists of two floors packed with amphibious-themed enemies, vengeful spirits, and larger monstrosities. Navigation involves sunken altars and forgotten passageways that conceal both useful relics and additional dangers. Fifteen or more new events expand the narrative around the lost civilization, offering branches that can lead to extra treasure or heightened risk.
The final guardian changes according to decisions made earlier in the dungeon and in connected areas, resulting in multiple distinct boss encounters. Each variation provides unique rewards that integrate into the existing item and upgrade systems. A new pet joins the roster as a sturdy companion that assists throughout the journey.
Is It Worth Playing?
The expansion suits players who already enjoy the base game's blend of deck construction, party management, and roguelike risk-reward decisions. It extends the campaign with fresh content that fits seamlessly into existing runs without requiring a separate mode or restart. Those seeking additional variety in events and a changeable end boss will find repeated playthroughs more engaging.
Support continues through periodic updates that add further heroes, dungeons, and balance adjustments. Availability on PC makes it accessible for both solo adventurers and groups looking for cooperative strategy sessions. The content rewards experimentation with different party builds and path choices, making it a solid addition for fans of the core experience.
