Griftlands

Overview

Griftlands is a science-fiction deck-building roguelite from Klei Entertainment, set in Havaria, a harsh world shaped by rival factions and uneasy relationships. Its turn-based choices reach beyond combat: jobs, allies, and the cards you collect can all affect how a run unfolds. You can fight, negotiate, steal, or persuade to pursue your aims, but there are consequences to how you treat people. Killing an opponent can make their associates hostile; leaving them alive can preserve a threat.

The game offers three character campaigns, each with its own setting, map, abilities, and specialized decks. Sal is driven by profit and revenge; Rook is an aging spy pursuing his own agenda; Smith is a loafer who may end up saving the world. Their separate stories provide distinct contexts for exploring Havaria and dealing with its factions.

Combat and negotiation use separate decks, with cards drafted for each character. Items can come from defeated foes or rewards, while mercenaries and pets can help with goals. Encounters include bosses with distinctive attacks and mechanics. Death can come quickly, and new runs bring different situations and strategies to explore.

Key features

• Three campaigns: Play as Sal, Rook, or Smith, each with a distinct story, environment, abilities, and map.
• Combat and negotiation decks: Draft cards for both kinds of confrontation, and collect item cards from foes or rewards.
• Consequential choices: Jobs, friendships, and decisions about enemies can change who stands in your way later.
• Allies and companions: Hire mercenaries, find pets, or enlist friends to help accomplish goals.
• Challenging bosses: Face powerful opponents with unique mechanics and attacks.
• Repeatable runs: Quick deaths and shifting situations invite trying different strategies on later attempts.

Platforms

Griftlands is listed for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its Steam features include single-player, Steam Workshop, partial controller support, Steam Cloud, Remote Play on Tablet, and Family Sharing. Steam Workshop is relevant for players interested in community-created content, while Steam Cloud supports keeping game data synchronized through Steam. No dedicated server or multiplayer feature is listed; the game is presented as single-player.

Who it's for

Griftlands suits players who enjoy building decks around different situations and weighing social consequences alongside tactical fights. The three character campaigns offer different stories and environments, while the split between combat and negotiation decks gives choices a role outside direct battles. Its single-player focus makes it a poor fit for communities seeking a shared server experience, but Steam Workshop may interest players looking for community-made additions.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Three character-led campaigns; separate combat and negotiation decks; choices can affect relationships and later encounters; Steam Workshop support.
• Cons: Single-player only, with no listed multiplayer or dedicated server support; death comes quickly, which may not suit players seeking a more forgiving run structure.

Alternatives

For other games from the same developer, see Games by Klei Entertainment. Klei's catalog includes Oxygen Not Included, Don't Starve Together, Invisible, Inc., Don't Starve, Mark of the Ninja, Shank 2, and Shank. Hot Lava is another listed alternative.

Verdict

Griftlands brings deck construction, negotiation, and combat together in a single-player roguelite built around three distinct protagonists. Its defining hook is that choices about allies and enemies matter alongside card picks, making social dealings part of the strategy rather than a break from it. The Windows, macOS, and Linux release includes Steam Workshop and cloud support, though it offers no listed multiplayer or server-play angle for groups that want to play together.