Devolver Digital to launch dual-deck roguelike Shroom and Gloom on Sept. 10

Team Lazarbeam and publisher Devolver Digital have announced that Shroom and Gloom, a hand-drawn roguelike deckbuilder, will enter Steam Early Access on September 10, 2026. The title seeks to differentiate itself in a crowded genre by integrating card-based mechanics into every facet of the gameplay experience.

The game's primary innovation is a "double-deck" system. Unlike traditional deckbuilders that use a single set of cards for all encounters, Shroom and Gloom requires players to manage two separate decks simultaneously: one dedicated to combat against fungal enemies and another for first-person exploration of the game's dungeons. A playable demo is currently available on Steam for those wishing to test the mechanics prior to the Early Access launch.

From Game Jam to Early Access

Developed by Team Lazarbeam—the studio previously known for 'Wrestling with Emotions'—the project began as a game jam entry. The developers sought to evolve the roguelike deckbuilding formula by removing the traditional divide between combat and exploration phases. By making every decision, including lock-picking and navigation, card-driven, the team aimed to create a more cohesive strategic loop.

Ben Rausch of Team Lazarbeam explained the design philosophy, asking, "What if that decision-making was all card-driven? What if everything was a card? That gave us this idea of setting up a second deck."

Strategic Depth in a Saturated Market

The release comes at a time when the roguelike deckbuilder market is heavily saturated by titans such as Slay the Spire and Balatro. By adopting a "maximalist" design and the dual-deck mechanic, Shroom and Gloom attempts to introduce a new layer of strategic depth. The requirement to build and optimize two distinct decks adds a management burden that forces players to balance their resources between survival in combat and efficiency in exploration.

What to Watch

As the September 10 launch approaches, the industry will be watching to see if the dual-deck system provides a meaningful evolution of the genre or if the added complexity proves overwhelming for players. While the core mechanics are established in the current demo, the full scope of the Early Access build and the final card counts remain to be seen as the developers continue to refine the experience based on player feedback.