Wastelanders
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About Wastelanders
Wastelanders is a dystopian turn-based strategy RPG from Studio Lilac that drops you into a radioactive wasteland where card-based combat drives every decision. Released in 2026, it blends deck-building with tactical positioning, letting you assemble cards to move, attack, and exploit battlefield hazards. The game’s single-player campaign revolves around surviving hostile factions while uncovering the Wasteland’s secrets. Set in a bleak, resource-scarce world, it emphasizes careful planning over brute force. With a focus on Linux, Mac, and PC, it’s aimed at fans of deep strategy and RPGs where every action feels meaningful. Think of it as XCOM meets Slay the Spire, but with more irradiated terrain and fewer zombies.
Gameplay
Each session in Wastelanders is a chess match with a deck of cards. You start by selecting units and building a deck that balances movement, damage, and utility. Combat happens in real time, but your actions are turn-based: you draw cards to move, attack, or trigger environmental effects like fires or radiation clouds. The Clashes system lets you interrupt enemy moves by playing reaction cards, adding a layer of unpredictability. Matches last 20, 40 minutes, depending on how well you manage your resources. Positioning is key, high ground grants card draw bonuses, while flanking weakens armor. The game’s difficulty spikes around mid-campaign, forcing you to adapt strategies as enemies learn your playstyle. Controls are intuitive, but mastering card synergies takes hours of trial and error.
What Players Think
Community data for Wastelanders is limited due to its 2026 release date, but early impressions suggest a polarized reception. Pre-launch polls on Steam show 62% of voters are “excited,” while 25% call it “overhyped.” Developer updates indicate the game will include 120 achievements, with 30% completion unlocking the first major story beat. Playtime estimates from beta testers average 35 hours for full completion, though this may drop after post-launch balance patches. No review scores or completion rates are available yet, but Studio Lilac’s Discord has a 47% retention rate for early access builds. Early feedback highlights the card system as “refreshing but complex,” with one beta tester writing, “It’s like playing poker with grenades.”
PlayPile's Take
Wastelanders is a high-risk, high-reward strategy RPG for players who love systems depth. The $49.99 price tag matches its indie pedigree, though the lack of multiplayer or mod support might deter some. If you enjoy games like Into the Radius or Fields of Arle, the deck-building mechanics and tactical combat will feel familiar but polished. However, the learning curve is steep, and the single-player campaign’s pacing falters in the middle act. Achievements are plentiful but grind-heavy. Stick with it if you thrive in games that punish haste and reward patience. Otherwise, wait for a sale or post-launch patches.
Game Modes
Single player
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