Developer studio Fardust, in partnership with publisher Awaken Realms, has unveiled a new trailer for their upcoming title Shards of Order while simultaneously addressing ongoing community debates about the game’s genre classification. In a direct statement to fans, the developers clarified that despite featuring a card-based combat system, the project is definitively not a roguelike — a distinction that has sparked considerable interest among RPG enthusiasts seeking a different kind of card gaming experience.
A New Approach to Card-Based Combat
Shards of Order represents an intriguing entry in the increasingly crowded card-based RPG market, but with a crucial distinction that sets it apart from popular titles like Slay the Spire, Monster Train, or Inscryption. While these games have defined the roguelike deckbuilder genre over the past several years, Fardust is deliberately charting a different course. The studio emphasizes that players will experience a more traditional RPG structure with persistent progression, meaningful narrative choices, and character development that carries forward throughout the entire game rather than resetting with each run.
The card combat system itself appears to draw inspiration from both traditional collectible card games and tactical RPG mechanics. Players will reportedly build and customize their decks as they progress through the game’s dark fantasy world, unlocking new cards and abilities that reflect their chosen playstyle. This approach mirrors the depth found in classic RPGs while leveraging the strategic possibilities that card-based systems offer. The visual design showcased in the trailer suggests a grim, atmospheric aesthetic with detailed card artwork and environmental storytelling.
Awaken Realms Expands Digital Portfolio
The involvement of Awaken Realms as publisher adds significant credibility to the project. Originally founded in 2014, Awaken Realms built its reputation through highly successful tabletop games including Nemesis, Tainted Grail, and ISS Vanguard. The company has successfully funded numerous Kickstarter campaigns, collectively raising tens of millions of dollars and establishing a devoted fan base that appreciates complex, narrative-driven gaming experiences. Their transition into video game publishing represents a natural evolution, allowing them to reach audiences who prefer digital platforms while maintaining their signature focus on atmospheric storytelling and deep gameplay mechanics.
The partnership between Fardust and Awaken Realms suggests that Shards of Order will likely incorporate the kind of rich worldbuilding and attention to lore that has become synonymous with the publisher’s tabletop offerings. For fans of Awaken Realms’ board games, this digital venture could provide a more accessible entry point into similarly dark and immersive fantasy settings without requiring the physical space and time commitment of traditional tabletop gaming sessions.
Release Details and Market Positioning
With the July 28 Steam release date now confirmed, Shards of Order enters a competitive landscape that has seen remarkable growth in card-based games over the past decade. The genre has evolved significantly since the digital adaptation of Magic: The Gathering first demonstrated the potential for card games on computer platforms. More recently, games like Hearthstone expanded the audience dramatically, while indie titles proved that innovative approaches to deckbuilding could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success. By positioning itself outside the roguelike category, Shards of Order may appeal to players who appreciate card mechanics but prefer more structured narrative experiences without permadeath elements.
The timing of this release places Shards of Order in the summer gaming window, a period traditionally lighter on major releases and potentially advantageous for independent titles seeking visibility. Steam’s platform continues to be the primary destination for PC gaming launches, offering developers access to a global audience and robust community features. As the release date approaches, players interested in dark fantasy RPGs with strategic card combat can wishlist the title on Steam to receive notifications when it becomes available for purchase and to support the game’s algorithmic visibility on the platform.
Expert Opinion: The explicit rejection of roguelike classification by Fardust signals a strategic market positioning that could pay dividends. As the deckbuilder roguelike space becomes increasingly saturated, games offering card mechanics with traditional RPG persistence may capture an underserved audience. With Awaken Realms’ proven track record in atmospheric storytelling and the growing appetite for narrative-driven experiences, Shards of Order is well-positioned to carve out a distinctive niche when it launches this July.
