The sun has vanished, plunging the world into an eternal night. In this bleak medieval setting, a new challenger emerges in the roguelike genre: Kaamos, a retro-dressed turn-based puzzle roguelike from Pepperbox Studios, launching on Steam in partnership with indie.io.
While the dark atmosphere and permadeath elements are familiar to roguelike fans, Kaamos introduces a truly fascinating and unique game mechanic that sets it apart: tile-based combat with a strategic twist.
Kaamos’ unusual game mechanic
The true point of interest lies in its central combat mechanic: a tile-based system with looping rows and columns. This design choice warrants closer examination for its potential impact on gameplay and the overall roguelike experience.
To be fair, the retro-style graphics — that could have been a Commodore 64 or ZX Spectrum title — are really just set dressing. But they fit, perfectly,
The introduction of a manipulable tile grid as the primary combat interface represents a significant departure from traditional roguelike combat, which often relies on direct stat comparisons, resource management, and tactical positioning on a spatial grid. In Kaamos, the player’s agency in combat is heavily mediated through the strategic rearrangement of tiles. The looping nature of the grid adds a layer of spatial puzzle-solving, requiring players to think beyond immediate adjacencies and consider the broader implications of their tile movements.
Deck build your character, retro-style
Beyond the captivating core mechanic, Kaamos also boasts a robust character and deck-building system. Looting over 180 unique weapons, armor pieces, and rings allows for incredible customization. Do you envision a swift dual-wielder, a heavily armored tank, or something entirely different? The freedom to experiment with diverse builds and tailor your playstyle to overcome the challenges of the procedurally generated world is a significant draw.
The “deck-building” aspect further ties into the tile mechanic. The tiles you collect throughout your perilous journey essentially form your combat “deck.” Making the right matches in the heat of battle becomes crucial to unleashing your character’s full potential.
Coupled with a dark and atmospheric medieval world ripe for exploration and the classic roguelike elements of procedural generation and permadeath, Kaamos promises a truly unique and challenging experience. But it’s the innovative tile-based combat system that is really impressing us.
Keep an eye out for Kaamos when it launches on Steam on April 28, 2025. This is one indie title with a truly interesting mechanic that roguelike and puzzle fans alike will want to check out.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
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