Banners of Ruin is a strategy indie RPG that blends roguelike progression with deckbuilding combat on PC. Players lead a party of anthropomorphic animal characters through a fantasy city, constructing and refining a deck of abilities to overcome encounters while managing limited resources across multiple runs.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on building and iterating a deck during runs through the city of Dawn's Point. Each run begins with a modest selection of cards, and successful battles allow the addition of new ones to strengthen the collection over time. Combat unfolds on a 4x3 grid divided into ranks and lanes, where positioning matters alongside card selection. A party of characters shares a hand of cards each turn, with players assigning actions to specific members. Cards carry stamina costs that refresh every turn and will costs that do not, creating tension around resource allocation. A ruining mechanic can transform cards either permanently during a campaign or temporarily within a single encounter, altering their effects for the remainder of that combat or run.
Progression involves navigating a series of choices presented as cards, which may lead to combat, upgrades, or other events. Party composition influences available strategies, and later updates introduced options for configuring starting characters before each attempt. The single-player focus emphasizes experimentation with different card synergies and party pairings to reach the hideout before city guards intervene.
Game Modes
The main experience unfolds through campaign runs that string together encounters in a structured path across the city. These runs incorporate roguelike elements such as deck evolution and risk-reward decisions at each step. Procedural elements appear in extended play, allowing repeated attempts with varying card draws and event outcomes. Updates have expanded starting flexibility through party configuration tools that let players select different character combinations for fresh campaigns.
Supporter Pack Details
The Banners of Ruin Supporter Pack exists as an optional bundle for dedicated players seeking additional content tied to the game. It includes the full soundtrack featuring nine tracks that total around 52 minutes, composed by Dan Farley. High-resolution wallpaper artworks and standalone images of characters and passive icons are also provided. Timelapse videos of the painting process for in-game artwork round out the offerings. The game features a fully dynamic soundtrack, meaning some in-game variations may differ from the bundled tracks, though the pack aims to capture a broad selection of the material.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player reception stands at mostly positive based on thousands of reviews, with praise directed at the thematic presentation, visual style, and music that distinguish it among similar titles. The game suits those who enjoy methodical deckbuilding combined with grid-based tactics in a single-player roguelike format. Its release in 2021 brought a complete package with ongoing minor updates that refined systems like unlocks and party options. The supporter pack adds value for enthusiasts wanting the soundtrack and art assets to extend their connection to the experience beyond play sessions. Those drawn to strategy RPGs with animal-themed characters and iterative combat will find consistent depth in the core systems, while the modest price point and focused scope make it accessible for targeted playthroughs.
