Underboard
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About Underboard
Underboard is a strategy RPG that pits you against waves of monsters in a labyrinthine dungeon. Developed by Headless and published by 2 Left Thumbs, it launched on PC in February 2026. The core loop revolves around assembling a team of characters with unique abilities and positioning them to exploit enemy weaknesses. You explore procedurally generated maps, collect loot, and build synergies between units to survive increasingly tough battles. The game emphasizes both pre-battle planning and mid-game adjustments, blending resource management with tactical depth. It’s a slower-paced, brainy experience for players who enjoy optimizing teams and learning enemy patterns.
Gameplay
Each session starts with exploring a grid-based map, where you choose encounters that grant resources or challenge your team. Battles are turn-based auto-battlers, you assign positions and spells before combat, then watch as enemies react to your setup. The key is combining active choices (like spell placement) with passive synergy (e.g., a healer boosting a tank’s armor). You spend 20-30 minutes per session balancing exploration, resource gathering, and team upgrades. The game’s depth comes from testing different class combinations and adapting to enemy types. Controls are mouse-focused, with drag-and-drop positioning and context-sensitive menus. While the story is light, the challenge of escaping the dungeon drives progression.
What Players Think
Underboard holds a 4.2/5 rating on PlayPile, with 83% of players finishing the main campaign. Critics praise its strategic depth but warn about a 25-hour average playtime for completion. Community moods are split: 76% describe it as “thoughtful,” while 14% call it “grindy.” Review snippets highlight the “beautiful synergy system” and “repetitive late-game encounters.” On Metacritic, it scores 81/100, with outlets like Destructoid calling it a “must-play for tactics fans.” The game has 35 achievements, 65% of which are unlocked by most players. It costs $39.99, with a 15% discount for early buyers.
PlayPile's Take
Underboard is a solid pick for strategy enthusiasts who don’t mind slow pacing. The $40 price tag feels fair for the 20+ hours most players spend. It’s not great for those seeking fast action or shallow RPGs. If you enjoy micromanaging team interactions and learning enemy AI patterns, this game delivers. Skip it if you dislike long grind sessions or prefer story-driven experiences. The achievements and replay value make it stick around for hardcore tacticians.
Game Modes
Single player
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