Oaken

The strategic roguelike with deck building game Oaken is available for free on Windows, Linux, and Mac, 100% free to keep, in a limited-time GOG’s giveaway offerl! Don’t miss out, as Oaken is  usually priced at $19.99!

Oaken is an indie turn-based strategy game that combines roguelike mechanics and deck-building, set in a magical forest under threat from some form of dark corruption. It was developed by Laki Studios and initially released on May 3, 2022.

The aesthetic of Oaken blends fantasy and nature elements in simple, yet visually appealing graphics, with 3D unit designs that are easy to recognize even during intense battles, complemented by a fitting soundtrack. The gameplay offers strategic challenges and detailed progression systems.

Available for Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Android, and Xbox Series X|S, Oaken stands out for its deep mechanics, variety of strategic choices, and the aforementioned engaging visuals and music. As of this publication, it boasts hundreds of very positive reviews on Steam. It was published by PC by Surefire.Games and Goblinz Studio.

Anyway, you can get the game here! There’s also a demo version of the game that is always free here!

Trailer

Gameplay

In Oaken, you control a group of spirits on a quest to purify a mythical forest, where a sinister force is turning the spirits into evil versions of themselves. You’ll explore various environments, face enemies, and enhance your abilities. There is a wide range of strategic choices, from card management to decisions about upgrades and resource usage.

Battles take place on a hexagonal grid, where unit movement and strategic positioning are key. The combat follows a turn-based system, with units able to move and attack in a specific order. Front-facing attacks against enemies result in automatic counterattacks, encouraging the player to plan their actions carefully.

Player actions depend on mana, a resource consumed when casting spells, activating abilities, and positioning units on the battlefield. You start with an initial mana pool of 3 points, which gradually increases each turn, up to a maximum of 8.

As you progress through the game’s chapters, defeated units suffer from “fatigue,” a penalty that reduces their maximum health. This system requires players to balance resources between strengthening already-worn units or investing in new ones. Fatigue persists until the end of each chapter, promoting strategic planning.

The player uses a deck of cards that represents units and spells. During exploration, new cards can be acquired or upgraded, allowing for deck customization. Units have upgrade limits, but spirits can be found that add extra abilities, expanding strategic options.

Each battle has primary objectives, such as defeating all enemies, and optional secondary objectives, such as protecting NPCs or gathering resources. While completing secondary objectives is not required for progression, doing so rewards the player with valuable bonuses that make it easier to progress through the game’s short play sessions, with matches typically lasting under an hour. This structure allows for frequent progression and reduces frustration in case of defeat, as losses only represent a few minutes of gameplay.

Synopsis

The world of Oaken is a mythical place, existing in a not easily defined space and time. It is stretched among the branches of the Great Oak. Its inhabitants are spirits that listen to the same voice, called the Oak Song.

The loss of that voice starts a series of events leading to a struggle that may either heal or destroy the Great Oak.

Features

• Roguelike, hero-oriented campaign with deck management.
• A mystical world inhabited by spirits with celtic and tribal vibes.
• A randomly generated world map with tons of levels, bosses and events to be discovered.
• Unique, highly tactical battles on a hexagonal grid, where position and rotation is everything.
• Upgrade your spells and spirits the way you want.
• Easy to learn, hard to master – chill and challenge modes suitable for any player.

More info and strategy

• Oaken @ Laki Studios – The game on the developer’s official website, with more information, links to other platforms, etc.
• Oaken @ Steam – Store’s listing.
• Oaken @ Gaming Room – Source, with more info and media. In Portuguese.
• Oaken Demo @ GOG – A free demo version of the game.
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