What happens when Scottish myth collides with the razor-sharp strategy of modern roguelike deckbuilders? With today’s launch of Into the Restless Ruins, Ant Workshop and Wales Interactive invite players to find out, blending folklore, tactical deckbuilding, and dungeon-creeping tension into a single, intriguing package-now available for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
At the heart of Into the Restless Ruins lies a compelling twist on the deckbuilder formula: every card in your hand doesn’t just influence combat—it literally creates the dungeon you’ll brave. Curious to see it in action? Check out the official launch trailer below.
Players begin their journey in Eorisdale, a tutorial area that introduces the game’s signature loop—selecting cards to lay out rooms, traps, and buffs, then auto-battling through the very gauntlet you’ve assembled. It’s a clever inversion of the usual deckbuilder formula, reminiscent of genre favorites like Slay the Spire, but with a focus on environmental manipulation rather than hand-to-hand combat tactics. The result: every run feels both personal and unpredictable.
Scottish myth breathes through every corridor. Alongside 62 unique creatures and six bosses—including the spectral Grey Man (Am Fear Liath Mòr)—players encounter memorable NPCs like the Hen Wife and the Wulver. These characters don’t just serve as flavor; they offer essential upgrades, healing, and the chance to tinker with your deck. The folklore inspiration isn’t skin-deep—expect authentic creatures, motifs, and even the game’s “charms” and “cantrips” to be grounded in Celtic tradition.
Beneath the surface, Into the Restless Ruins offers a rich trove for strategy fans: 116 cards span seven categories, all feeding into a progression system loaded with 40 passive charms, 38 cantrips (think single-use tricks or power-ups), and a dozen unlockable weapons that each tweak your approach. With six distinct ruins to conquer and meta-progression systems, there’s ample replayability—though how it balances unpredictability and fairness across long-term play remains to be seen.
Priced at £12.99 / $14.99, Into the Restless Ruins aims for that sweet spot: accessible for genre newcomers, but deep enough for deckbuilding diehards. The folklore-infused theming sets it apart from a crowded field, but longevity will hinge on whether its innovative dungeon-crafting loop stays fresh after dozens of runs.
TL;DR: Into the Restless Ruins blends roguelike deckbuilding with Scottish myth, letting players build dungeons with cards and battle legendary bosses. With 116 cards and a folklore-rich world, it’s a strategic treat for genre fans—now out on all major platforms.
Source: Wales Interactive, Ant Workshop via GamesPress