Union of Gnomes - Deluxe Edition is a strategy indie RPG adventure game built around roguelike deckbuilding and tactical combat on PC. Players lead a gnome uprising against fairy-tale oppressors in a quirky, turn-based experience that blends squad management with resource decisions.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on assembling a squad of eleven gnomes for each run. One serves as the hero with unique traits and abilities, while the other ten come from a growing collection of cards. Combat unfolds in turns where the hero spends mana to play cards from the deck. Green cards focus on buffs and healing for the squad, while red cards deliver damage or apply effects like poison, weakening, or blinding to enemies. Positioning matters because foes occupy specific spots on the battlefield, and certain abilities exploit that layout for extra impact.
Supplies called wieners add another layer of management. Players must balance aggressive plays with careful resource tracking to keep the squad effective across multiple encounters. Between runs, heroes can receive permanent enhancements that carry forward, encouraging experimentation with synergies among the 130 available cards and their 24 distinct effects. The game draws from twisted fairy-tale themes, pitting gnomes against bosses inspired by stories like Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and Pinocchio.
Game Modes
Story mode structures the experience across six acts filled with quests, hidden details, and progressive challenges. Each act advances the narrative of the gnome revolution while introducing new enemies and bosses. Runs emphasize careful deck construction and adaptation to random elements typical of roguelikes.
Endless mode removes the story constraints for ongoing play. It focuses on surviving as many encounters as possible through refined builds and repeated attempts at high scores or personal bests. Both modes share the same underlying systems but differ in pacing and objectives.
Key Mechanics and Features
Three distinct gnome heroes offer varied starting decks and playstyles, each with special abilities that shape early decisions. Freeing additional gnomes expands the card pool and unlocks new combinations. The 19 bosses and numerous regular enemies require players to adapt tactics, often relying on humorous or unconventional effects to gain advantages.
Resource decisions extend beyond mana to include supply management that influences long-term viability. This approach turns standard deckbuilding into a supply-focused puzzle where every choice affects the next battle. The game supports quick sessions on portable hardware while rewarding deeper analysis of synergies during longer play.
Is It Worth Playing?
Union of Gnomes delivers a challenging deckbuilding roguelite that stands out through its supply management twist and asymmetrical combat. Reviews describe it as one of the stronger entries in the genre for players who enjoy difficulty spikes and experimentation. The Very Positive rating reflects consistent praise for its humor, art direction, and replay value in both story and endless formats.
It suits fans of tactical strategy and roguelike progression who appreciate quirky themes over conventional fantasy. Those seeking straightforward deckbuilders may find the resource layer and positioning demands more demanding than expected. The game remains actively supported with its full feature set available at launch, making it a solid choice for repeated playthroughs focused on optimization and discovery.
