Not Your Keys is a strategy roguelike deckbuilder for PC that places players in a Bitcoin mempool setting. The core premise revolves around surviving a chain of challenges while collecting keys to secure bitcoin, with the warning that losing them ends the run. Three distinct runners Hash Lightning, Cryogenic Exchanger, and Immutable Ledger each bring unique stats, caches, and playstyles to the 21-block journey through junk coins, frozen exchanges, wrench attackers, and encounters with the Federal Reserve, culminating in a key-gated finale at The Final Block.
Gameplay
Combat operates on two separate economies. Hash powers NFT cards drawn from a deck of 26 cards, each with an evolved form obtained by combining duplicates. Moves handle the runner's direct attacks and defenses, with 18 total options split into Attack, Defend, and Ability categories. Players draft cards after fights and visit shops to upgrade Moves. The DEX offers off-chain opportunities for greater rewards during the run.
Bugs introduce deck corruption mid-run through Short Circuit, Buffer Overflow, and Memory Leak. These can be fixed, played around, or allowed to derail progress. A guided tutorial covers the basics, while run records track performance for each runner. The 21-block Main-net structure includes combat encounters, shops, the DEX gauntlet, the Halving event, Chain Splits, and Difficulty Drops and Spikes that alter conditions along the path.
Nineteen hidden Easter eggs appear as boons that stack across a single run. Block Templates editor allows creation of custom block paths for testing. All elements remain strictly Bitcoin-themed with no real cryptocurrency, wallets, or transactions involved.
Game Modes
The primary experience follows the 21-block Main-net run, where players navigate sequential blocks filled with the listed threats and events before reaching The Final Block. This mode emphasizes careful resource management across the dual economies and adaptation to shifting difficulties.
Endless Mode extends play through six-block Epochs, with per-runner Block Height records serving as benchmarks for repeated attempts. The mode supports ongoing progression without the fixed endpoint of the main run.
Core Systems and Progression
Card drafting and evolution form the backbone of deck building. Combining duplicates strengthens individual cards, while Move upgrades at shops provide consistent power growth. The three runners encourage different approaches based on their starting caches and stats. Shops and the DEX provide branching choices that influence survival odds and reward potential.
Events like the Halving and Chain Splits add variety to each block traversal. Difficulty spikes and drops require real-time adjustments to card play and Move usage. Easter eggs reward exploration and can compound advantages when collected strategically.
Is It Worth Playing?
Not Your Keys suits players who enjoy roguelike deckbuilders that layer multiple systems together. The dual-economy combat, card evolution, and bug management create decision points that reward planning and adaptation. The Bitcoin mempool theme provides a consistent backdrop without requiring external knowledge of cryptocurrency mechanics.
Those seeking singleplayer strategy experiences with procedural runs and custom path options will find the structure engaging. The presence of a tutorial, achievement support, and distinct runner playstyles broadens accessibility for newcomers to the genre while offering depth for repeated play. The game stands as a self-contained title focused on its core loop of survival and optimization.
