Deck of Haunts, developed by Mantis Games and published by DANGEN Entertainment, officially launched on October 8, 2026. The title attempts to fuse traditional deckbuilding strategy with base-building room placement, forcing players to manage resources while defending against waves of intruders. With a retail price of £16.74, the game is currently available on Xbox Series, PlayStation, Switch, and PC platforms. It is important for potential buyers to note that the game is not available on Game Pass at launch and does not support Xbox Play Anywhere features.

Critical Consensus and Gameplay Hurdles

Reviewers have expressed mixed feelings regarding the game's core loop. While the strategic depth of managing room placement alongside card-based combat is praised for its ambition, the execution often leaves players struggling with opaque rules. Critics point out that the learning curve is steep, as the game fails to clearly explain how to effectively manage resources during intense waves of enemies. The consensus suggests that while the concept is engaging for fans of complex strategy, the lack of clarity in its mechanics may alienate those looking for a more accessible experience.

Technical Performance and Control Warnings

A significant point of contention across reviews involves the console experience. If you are planning to play on Xbox or other consoles, be warned: the control scheme and UI highlighting are frequently cited as major pain points. Reviewers have noted that navigating the menus and selecting specific cards or rooms can feel clunky and imprecise compared to the mouse-and-keyboard setup on PC. This technical friction often interrupts the flow of gameplay, making the console version feel less intuitive than its desktop counterpart.

  • Developer: Mantis Games
  • Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
  • Release Date: October 8, 2026
  • Price: £16.74
  • Game Pass Status: Not Available
  • Xbox Play Anywhere: No

Ultimately, Deck of Haunts offers a unique challenge for players who enjoy high-complexity strategy games, provided they can overlook the clunky console controls and the initial confusion caused by its opaque room-placement systems. Those who prefer a polished, user-friendly interface may find the current state of the console version frustrating, while dedicated strategy enthusiasts might find enough depth to justify the entry price.