Strategic Positioning Meets Mythology: ‘DeckLand’ Launches on Steam Early Access

• The Concept: A revolutionary blend of traditional Korean “Yutnori” board mechanics and modern roguelite deck-building.
• The Hook: Space is strategy—move across tiles to dodge attacks and fuse cards to create over 1,000 unique effects.
• The Hype: 823% funded on Tumblbug and selected for the PlayX4 Indie Arcade.
• The Launch: Available now on Steam with a 20% discount until April 6.

Global publisher CFK and Korean indie developer JellySnow have officially opened the gates to the ancient dynasties of the East with the launch of DeckLand. Released today on Steam Early Access, the game challenges the conventions of the deck-building genre by introducing “physical positioning” as a core tactical element.

[Related Article: Anticipated K-Indie Title ‘Deckland’ Featuring Eastern Mythology, A Unique Combination of Constellation Exploration and Monster Hunting]

Where You Stand is How You Win

Unlike traditional deck-builders that focus solely on card values and armor stacks, DeckLand utilizes a board-game structure inspired by the Korean folk game Yutnori.

• Tactical Movement: Players use cards to move tile-by-tile, physically dodging enemy projectiles and area-of-effect attacks.
• Card Fusion System: The game’s standout mechanic allows players to synthesize two cards into a brand-new ability. Combining an “Attack” card with a “Movement” card might create a powerful dash attack, offering endless tactical flexibility.
• Summon Formations: Players can capture monsters and place them as “Familiars” on the board, creating complex defensive lines or offensive pincer movements.

A Dark Fantasy Rooted in Korean Folklore

DeckLand is set in a mythical version of ancient Korea, where the world is besieged by calamities. Players take on the role of Rang, accompanied by the mysterious guide Lilith, to face legendary creatures like the fire-breathing Gang-Cheoli and the ancient god of war, Chi-Woo. The visual style combines elegant line art with dynamic lighting, capturing the “Han” (sorrow and resilience) of Korean storytelling across four initial chapters and 60 unlockable story fragments.

From Manga Inspiration to Indie Success

CEO Kim Tae-hoon of JellySnow started the project two years ago, inspired by a scene in a manga where “capsule monsters” battled on a board. “I wondered if adding tiles to a card game would change the experience,” Kim shared.

The team’s transition from pixel art to high-fidelity illustration paid off, as DeckLand secured top spots in major domestic competitions and shattered its crowdfunding goals twice.

Game Specification: DeckLand

What’s Next?

JellySnow plans to use the Early Access period to refine balance and UI based on player feedback from the recent Steam Next Fest. Future updates will include additional playable characters, more “Familiar” monsters, and the highly anticipated expansion to Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5.

Steam Store Page: DeckLand on Steam