For enthusiasts who reveled in the mysterious and strategic Inscryption approach, the quest for similar games can be difficult and frustrating.  That’s why the great games we discuss here have the best elements of Inscryption, offering a fusion of deck-building prowess and narrative intrigue.

They combine genre-defining mechanics with a compelling storyline while also providing roguelike elements that promise to deliver experiences filled with secrets inscribed in every card and choice.

Let’s rock!

• Release Date: May 21, 2020.

• Developer: Shiny Shoe.

• Publisher: Good Shepherd Entertainment.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming.

• Metascore: 85.

Monster Train is an engaging deck-building game about picking the right cards and using them in battles.

This card game has five different groups of monsters, each with their own special ways to play. You can control several creatures at once and mix two groups of monsters for each game, resulting in many different strategies available.

In Monster Train, each faction has a strong identity in both its visuals and mechanics. My personal favorite is the Melting Remnant faction, formed by a group of wax monsters that use graveyard recursion to regenerate and come back stronger.

Monster Train features:

• Craft unique decks from five monster clans, each with its own abilities.

• Strategically position your units and plan attacks over three floors across four vertical levels.

• A Rich art style that mixes bright and dark designs.

• Face increasing difficulty after each victory, testing your strategy.

Monster Train Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Mar 4, 2021.

• Developer: Four Quarters.

• Publisher: Devolver Digital.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Linux.

• Metascore: 82.

Loop Hero is a unique card game that mixes RPG elements with a deckbuilding roguelike style.

In this game, you are a hero who walks around a looped path in a dark, forgotten world. As you fight monsters like slimes and vampires, you collect unique cards that help you remember and rebuild the world around you, like adding forests and mountains. But be careful because every new piece you add to the map can bring new enemies.

In Loop Hero, every journey is different. You can't control your hero in battle, so you must rely on the gear you find and the cards you play to survive.

In my experience, battling the Lich boss was an intense highlight, where careful deck-building and strategic gear choices paid off. The fight tested my planning, and defeating him felt like a real victory of strategy over strength, leaving me eager for the next loop's challenges.

Loop Hero features:

• Mysterious story set in a dark, apocalyptic world.

• Extensive gear and loot system for hero customization.

• Auto-battler mechanics with passive combat engagement.

• Synergistic card interactions that impact the game's dungeon environment.

Loop Hero Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Oct 18, 2022.

• Developer: Second Dinner.

• Publisher: Nuverse.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android, MacOS.

• Metascore: 85.

This title is a fast-paced card game that lets you create your superhero team and battle it in turn-based combat. Marvel Snap lets you play cards from a deck you built yourself, featuring all your favorite Marvel characters.

The gameplay revolves around making smart choices about where to play your cards and when to use your hero's powers. Each match is a quick, six-round clash where you try to outsmart your opponent.

Marvel Snap is also about finding a play style that works for you. The best superhero combination for me was Hulk's brute force, Black Widow's tactical edge, and Spider-Man's flexibility. Together, they formed an unstoppable team that made every match a strategic and exciting win.

With card collecting at its core, the game offers an unforgettable gaming experience that's easy to pick up but hard to put down.

Marvel Snap features:

• Build your deck to match your own play style.

• Each card and superhero features unique abilities to spice up the gameplay.

• Regular updates add new heroes and skills to keep the game fresh.

• Engage with the global community of gamers in events and online matches.

Marvel Snap is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date: Aug 10, 2021.

• Developer: Morteshka.

• Publisher: HypeTrain Digital.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.

• Metascore: 75.

Black Book is an indie game that stands out with its story-driven approach and deep connection to 10th-century Russian folklore.

The game follows a young girl named Vasilisa who seeks the power of the Black Book to fulfill her heart's deepest wish. As you guide her through the rustic landscapes of the Russian countryside, you will encounter a mix of visual novel storytelling and turn-based RPG combat.

The addictive gameplay revolves around adventure and strategy. It comes from the combination of card collecting and deck building, where you can feel the weight of your decisions in the spells and paths you cast.

I remember a particular boss fight that tested my strategic decisions to their limits. When facing the demon Chort, I weighed each card's mythical power, like the fierce Leshy and the protective Domovoi, strategizing my moves to counter the demo's onslaught.

This boss battle was more than a game. It was a dance with folklore, where every card I played wove into the story of my own epic tale.

Black Book features:

• Make tough decisions that alter the storyline and gameplay.

• Dive into an atmospheric world with a rustic aesthetic and captivating music.

• Collect and utilize a variety of folklore-inspired cards for battle.

• Engage in strategic turn-based combat with a unique card game system.

Black Book Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Jan 4, 2016.

• Developer: Daniel Mullins Games.

• Publisher: Daniel Mullins Games.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux.

• Metascore: 86.

This indie game is not what it seems at first glance. It starts off pretending to be a simple arcade machine game where you control a pony jumping over fences, but it quickly turns into a puzzle game with a dark twist.

The title involves breaking out of this arcade loop, a cleverly disguised psychological horror adventure. I found myself deeply engrossed, solving puzzles that required me to think like a hacker, and the chilling narrative kept me on edge.

As you play, you'll find that Pony Island is an addictive game full of surprises. It's a game that will stick with you long after you've turned it off.

Pony Island features:

• A unique combination of genres that creates an unforgettable gaming experience.

• Elements of card collecting and deck building within the game's mechanics.

• It has a haunting soundtrack that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the game.

• Simple graphics that contrast with the game's complex and dark themes.

Pony Island is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date: Oct 26, 2021.

• Developer: Red Hook Studios.

• Publisher: Red Hook Studios.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

• Metascore: 82.

Darkest Dungeon 2 will take you on a grim adventure filled with strategic depth. As you play, you lead a group of four characters on a treacherous journey, battling enemies and facing tough decisions at every turn.

You will be part of a series of intense battles where you must master your characters' skills and tactics to survive. With a plethora of fights, each match is a test of your ability to strategize and adapt. It's a title that challenges you to think ahead of every attack.

In this indie game, I recall a battle against the grotesque Swine King that truly tested my resolve. My Plague Doctor's Blinding Gas skill was crucial for disorienting the beast and giving me precious time.

Darkest Dungeon II features:

• Engage in strategic turn-based combat against a variety of enemies.

• Explore and fight through an apocalyptic, primordial world.

• A roguelike progression with new challenges and discoveries in each run.

• Discover and utilize the unique skills of a diverse cast of characters.

Darkest Dungeon Global Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Mar 26, 2020.

• Developer: Thomas Moon Kang.

• Publisher: Humble Games, Maple Whispering Limited.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac OS, Linux.

• Metascore: 82.

One Step From Eden is a card game and a deck-building game that's all about fast action and quick thinking. You can play with one character with unique abilities and moves and fight enemies on a 4x4 grid, using cards to cast powerful spells.

Among all video game protagonists, my favorite one was Saffron, the default character who balances offense and defense. Her unique starting deck and ability to cast a laser made her perfect for learning the ropes.

This title is also a mix of a card battler and a puzzle game, where you collect cards as you play. Each card has its own power, and as you win fights, you get new powerful cards to make a strong deck.

One Step From Eden features:

• Over 200 spells to learn and master.

• Deckbuilding roguelike progression with new challenges each run.

• Session-based gameplay that's perfect for quick or extended play sessions.

• A variety of enemies, each with unique attack patterns.

One Step From Eden Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Sep 12, 2012.

• Developer: Fireproof Studios.

• Publisher: Fireproof Studios.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Meta Quest, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Apple Arcade.

• Metascore: 74.

The Room is a mystery game that takes you through a series of escape room-style puzzles. As you play, you solve puzzles to unlock new chapters and discover clues leading to the next challenge.

In this puzzle game, you start with simple tasks. As you progress, they get more complex and require more thought. Players choose how to tackle each puzzle, using mechanics that make you feel like a real-life escape room fan.

The Room's gameplay combines escape room puzzles and random events that keep you on your toes. When I played this game, I never knew what was coming next. Every level is designed to be challenging, but I never felt frustrated because the game provided clues at the right time to help me finish the puzzle.

The Room features:

• Intuitive mechanics that mimic real-life escape room experiences.

• Beautifully crafted 3D environments that enhance the immersion experience.

• Clues are provided to aid in puzzle-solving without diminishing the challenge.

• A mysterious story unfolds as you solve puzzles and unlock new chapters.

The Room is available for purchase on Steam.

• Release Date: May 7, 2019.

• Developer: Whatboy Games.

• Publisher: Whatboy Games.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch.

• Metascore: 81.

Trials of Fire is an adventure game combining card battles and deck builders elements with a captivating story. Set in a treacherous landscape, you choose three heroes to battle enemies and overcome challenges.

Each character has a unique deck, with each card representing their skills and abilities, which players use in strategic card battles. The game's mechanics encourage you to think carefully about every card you play while navigating a world of danger and secrets.

In my case, I used my mage's spell not only to attack the enemies but also to heal my team while my archer's shots from afar to accomplish my victory. 

If you're a fan of the card game genre and enjoyed Inscryption, this must-have game will keep you engaged with its deep strategic gameplay.

Trials of Fire features:

• A world of procedurally generated maps to explore.

• Equipment and upgrades that expand your tactical options.

• Engaging turn-based combat with a hexagonal grid.

• A survival aspect that adds fatigue and morale to manage.

Trials of Fire Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Oct 15, 2020.

• Developer: Simon Boxer, Twice Different.

• Publisher: Humble Games.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Mac OS.

• Metascore: 74.

Ring of Pain is a deck-building roguelite that stands out among card games similar to "Inscryption," as it combines elements of psychological horror and strategy. 

Here, you navigate a circular dungeon filled with cards to present battles with eerie creatures and find new cards to enhance your deck.

The most striking feature of Ring of Pain is the cards' design since they are terrifying. The creepiest card I encountered when playing this game was the Owl Screech. Its haunting image and the game's eerie sound effects always sent a shiver down my spine.

On the other hand, the gameplay is a mix of anticipation and strategy, as each card flip can lead to a battle or a boon. Characters must be played wisely, with each card battle pushing you deeper into the game's dark secrets.

Ring of Pain features:

• An ever-expanding deck of cards that you can customize.

• Secrets and narrative elements that unfold as you delve deeper into the game.

• Easy to learn mechanics.

• Randomly generated dungeons that ensure every playthrough is different.

Ring of Pain Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: Aug 13, 2019.

• Developer: Terry Cavanagh.

• Publisher: Terry Cavanagh.

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Linux.

• Metascore: 80.

This adventure game mixes the best parts of dice and deck-building games into a fun, roguelike experience. If you enjoyed Inscription, you'll likely find Dicey Dungeons just as engaging.

The game uses dice to activate various equipment cards, each with unique effects. The gameplay is straightforward but offers a surprising depth of strategy as you decide the best way to use dice rolls to navigate through dungeons and battles.

The game is developed in different episodes where you will find quirky characters, fun battles, and a captivating narrative. My favorite episode was the one featuring the Thief. 

The thrill of stealing enemy equipment and using it against them added a layer of surprise and adrenaline that kept each run exciting and unpredictable.

Dicey Dungeons features:

• The game's quirky art style adds to the overall fun atmosphere.

• Offers a variety of unique equipment cards activated by dice.

• Allows players to unlock new cards and decks for more strategic depth.

• It requires no complex button combos, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.

Dicey Dungeons Steam CD Key is available for purchase on RoyalCDKeys.

The games like Inscyption included here are merely a sample of all the titles available that you can find online. 

Try them all and become a young sorceress, discover secrets inscrybed or face opponents that you have never seen before.

The titles mentioned in this article, each with their unique take on deck-building and strategic gameplay, offer various experiences ranging from the darkly atmospheric to the delightfully whimsical.

Still, there are others worth mentioning, such as Slay the Spire, SteamWorld Quest, and Pawnbarian, as each contributes to the card-based adventures in their own way.