Malys

About Malys

Malys is a rogue-lite deckbuilder where you play Noah, a former priest turned demon hunter, in a city overrun by evil. Developed by Summerfall Studios and released in October 2025, it blends strategy and card mechanics. You navigate a corrupted urban environment, performing exorcisms by building a deck of arcane tools. Progress between runs by unlocking upgrades, but failure is frequent. The game’s single-player focus and emphasis on tough, repeatable combat make it a niche pick for players who enjoy methodical resource management and punishing difficulty. Think of it as a dark, faith-based twist on traditional deckbuilders, with a roguelite structure that rewards persistence.

Gameplay

Each run starts with a base deck of holy and dark cards. You cross procedurally generated districts, battling demons by exposing their weaknesses with specific combos. Combat is turn-based, requiring careful mana management and card synergy. You’ll scavenge for new abilities, barter with unreliable NPCs, and choose between helping civilians or hoarding resources. Failed exorcisms mean respawning, but earned upgrades carry over. The challenge comes from balancing risk, like using high-damage but risky cursed cards, and adapting to shifting threats. Sessions typically last 45 minutes to an hour, with each death pushing you to tweak strategies. The deck evolves rapidly, but so does the city’s hostility.

What Players Think

On PlayPile, Malys holds an 8.5/10 average from 12,300 reviews, with 42% completing the game. Community moods: 60% addicted, 25% frustrated, 15% indifferent. Average playtime is 12 hours, though 18% report over 30. Critics praise its depth: Metacritic scores 88, and GameSpot calls it “the most punishingly rewarding deckbuilder in years.” Players highlight the “addictive but brutal” difficulty and “deep combo system,” but some note the steep learning curve. Completion rate drops to 28% after the first 10 hours. Achievement data shows 50 total, with 70% unlocked by 15 hours. The community is split between those who thrive on its grind and those who find it frustrating.

PlayPile's Take

Malys is for deckbuilder fans who crave challenge and slow progress. At $29.99, it’s a mid-tier buy with 50 achievements, but mastery takes time. If you enjoy experimenting with combos and tolerate high failure rates, it’s worth the investment. However, casual players might find the difficulty alienating. The game’s 42% completion rate suggests it’s not for everyone, but for those who stick with it, the escalating stakes and deck customization offer satisfying long-term value.

Storyline

This city teems with demons, and among them lies your prey: Malys, a demon of extraordinary cunning and power. As you pick your path through the city, you’ll encounter its denizens - some friendly, some not so much, and some possessed by demons that you’ll need to exorcise. Use your deck of cards to expose the rot within. Find unique combinations and strategies to withstand the horrors. Help the hopeless and free the possessed, or die in the attempt… over and over again. As Noah, former priest turned exorcist and demon hunter, you’re armed with your faith and a variety of tools ranging from the holy to the dark and arcane… but you’ll need much more for this hunt, and there will be precious few allies to provide them.