Did you grow up playing rock-paper-scissors? Have you ever wondered what it would be like in a video game? Well, wonder no longer, as the new game from the developer 58BLADES, Handmancers, has now officially been released into early access, allowing players to take part in a completely unique form of combat as they explore a fantasy world, meeting new characters and fighting them in one of the most bizarre ways possible.
Handmancers Brings Rock-Paper-Scissors Into a Whole New Perspective With its Roguelite Deckbuilding Gameplay
Handmancers is a unique rock-paper-scissors roguelite deckbuilder that brings together all of these different genres into a game we never knew we needed until now. Within Handmancers, the player is able to select various characters, as shown within the trailer, allowing them to pick a character that will work with their playstyle.
What makes each of these characters interesting is that not only is their overall design unique, but they also have unique skill sets and bonuses that help the player throughout their journey while also aiding the player in focusing their decks into a specific path that will allow them to take on enemies as they please.
Whether you choose to play as rock, the more defensive type of playstyle; scissors, the more offensive playstyle; or paper, the buff playstyle, there are plenty of options for players to choose from that can suit their playstyle, or these playstyles can be adapted to make them more unique, creating a blend of the two, but that will likely prove to be its own challenge.
Along with being able to select their character, the player is also able to design their own decks throughout their adventure, allowing them to fine-tune their experience and even upgrade certain aspects of these cards to ensure the most bang for their buck as they duke it out with the incredibly well-designed enemies that are on display during the trailer.
However, building your deck doesn’t look to be that simple, as there are also roguelite components within Handmancers, causing the player to rely on RNG in order to keep their designed decks in a powerful state, but all in all, the rock-paper-scissors roguelite deck-building combat looks to be a fun experience that players will easily find powerful combinations over time.
Finally, from what we can see within the trailer, there are also elements of exploration/story within the game that task the player with following a map through combat encounters, as well as a skill tree system that will likely allow for more consistent upgrades, but sadly, both of these features only had small glances, so we can only wait and see what comes of it.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out our review of Drop Duchy, or check out our article talking about the recent trailer for the upcoming Alien Isolation sequel.
Liam is a Senior Editor, Writer, and Critic for Thumb Wars and has been working with the team since day one. Liam is a big fan of all things gaming, as you will catch him playing all of the new releases from every genre you can imagine. Whether you find Liam gaming just for fun or spending his free time streaming, you will always find a smile on his face when it comes to all things gaming.
