Ever wondered what would happen if you mixed poker, RPG mechanics, and a roguelike adventure? Well, Villain Games is making that a reality with Hero’s Hand, a single-player RPG where every battle is a game of poker, and your strategy is just as important as your luck. It’s set to launch in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox, Switch, and PC (Steam).
Poker meets monster battles
In Hero’s Hand, you play as the Knight of Spades, fighting your way through the land of Carduia. Instead of traditional combat, battles revolve around forming the best poker hands from cards you pick up as you move across the board. Stronger hands create powerful spirit weapons, which you’ll use to take down bizarre monsters—each with their own abilities and attacks.
But poker alone won’t get you through. You’ll also collect relics, items that can massively boost your build but might come with risky trade-offs. Add in an RPG-style leveling system that carries over between runs, and you’ve got a roguelike where every attempt makes you stronger.
A world full of secrets
Beyond combat, Hero’s Hand packs in exploration and lore. Through choose-your-own-adventure-style quests, you’ll solve puzzles, uncover hidden mysteries, and collect rare fortunes that can’t be bought in shops. If you’re the kind of player who loves hunting down every last detail, you’ll want to dig into the “Carduniapedia.”
What to expect from Hero’s Hand
- Poker-based combat – Build hands to forge spirit weapons and defeat unique monsters.
- Relics and loot – Find powerful items that enhance your build, but not without a cost.
- RPG progression – Level up, unlock inventory slots, and gain buffs that stick between runs.
- Exploration and story – Solve mysteries, complete side quests, and uncover hidden lore.
- Randomized runs – Every playthrough offers new encounters, fortunes, and surprises.
- Planned updates – 180+ Fortune buffs, 60+ combat encounters, four playable characters, and more on the way.
If you love roguelikes, card games, or just something different, Hero’s Hand looks like one to watch. Keep an eye on its Steam page for more updates as we get closer to 2026!
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