Banners of Ruin

Banners of Ruin on PC is a single-player roguelike deckbuilder and turn-based tactical RPG from MonteBearo, published by Goblinz Publishing and Maple Whispering Limited. The current Steam storefront still uses the original Banners of Ruin name, with no verified rebrand, replacement edition, or renamed PC version. Its defining hook is a party-based card combat system set in the dark animal-fantasy city of Dawn's Point.

A party-based deckbuilder with positional combat

Each run begins with a small group of characters and a starter deck. You travel through Dawn's Point by choosing from a sequence of card-driven encounters, then use the rewards, services, and recruitment opportunities you find to shape the party for the next fight.

Combat takes place on a compact battlefield arranged around front and back positions. Where a hero stands affects targeting, protection, and the value of certain cards, so the game asks you to solve two problems at once: which cards to play and which character should occupy each position.

The central loop combines turn-based card combat, party positioning, and run-based progression. Heroes spend resources to attack, defend, apply effects, and support allies, while the enemy formation and behavior determine which threats must be handled first.

Unlike a one-character deckbuilder, Banners of Ruin makes the whole party part of the deck's identity. A card may become stronger when used by a particular hero, while a different character can provide the defense, status effect, or resource setup needed to make that play reliable.

Races, heroes, and build decisions

The game includes six playable races: Beavers, Bears, Wolves, Weasels, Mice, and Hares. Each race has its own card pool and passive traits, giving party selection a meaningful strategic role rather than functioning as a cosmetic choice.

You can build a party of up to six characters during a run. That larger team creates more possible combinations, but it also makes deck control and resource management more demanding. Adding every available hero is not automatically correct if the resulting card pool becomes too broad or inconsistent.

Characters develop through level-ups, talent cards, passive abilities, weapons, and armor. Equipment can change how a hero contributes to the formation, while talents and race-specific options help push a character toward a particular function within the team.

The best runs usually come from recognizing a workable direction early and then editing toward it. Looting or buying every attractive card can dilute the deck, while removing weaker options and combining compatible effects can make a smaller set of cards far more dependable.

Dawn's Point and the moral cost of progress

Exploration is presented through a dynamic card-driven campaign rather than a free-roaming map. Street encounters can lead to combat, rewards, recruitment, healing, purchases, or decisions with both practical and moral consequences.

The story centers on the Blackfoots' struggle against House Ender. Your party must move through the city, defeat elite opponents, and reach the Guard Captain while dealing with the costs of resistance along the way.

Each route is a sequence of risks and opportunities. A fight may provide experience and loot, but an alternate encounter might improve the deck, restore the party, or create a problem that only becomes important several decisions later.

Failure is part of the structure. When a run ends, tokens can unlock additional cards and passives for future attempts, creating a persistent unlock system without removing the need to make better tactical and deckbuilding decisions.

Content model and optional additions

Banners of Ruin is a conventional paid PC game rather than a free-to-play service. The base game contains the main single-player campaign structure, its party system, the six races, card combat, equipment, encounters, and between-run unlocks.

The current Steam listing also presents four optional paid add-ons: Powdermaster, Moonstone, Iris, and the Supporter Pack. They are separate from the base purchase, so players should distinguish the core game from the complete DLC bundle when comparing editions.

There is no verified season-pass or recurring live-service model attached to the current PC storefront listing. The replay value comes from different party compositions, card pools, encounter routes, unlocks, and the challenge of turning imperfect rewards into a functioning build.

Players who want a highly focused solo deckbuilding structure can compare its route planning and card-synergy priorities with procedural roguelike deckbuilders such as Slay the Spire, although Banners of Ruin places more emphasis on multi-character formations and party equipment.

Who Banners of Ruin suits

This is a strong fit for players who enjoy solo strategy, difficult turn-based encounters, procedural runs, and games where a party's composition matters as much as individual card quality.

It should appeal particularly to players who want more battlefield structure than a conventional single-hero deckbuilder. Front and back positioning, hero-specific cards, equipment effects, and enemy behavior make each combat encounter a tactical sequence rather than a simple damage race.

The game is less suitable for players seeking online co-op, real-time action, or a stable party-based campaign where characters retain all progress between missions. Its main progression loop is built around repeated attempts, unlocks, and learning how to assemble a better team from uncertain options.

Its dark setting also contrasts with the friendly animal designs. The Blackfoots, House Ender, Dawn's Point, and the game's moral choices give the campaign a grim political frame, while the mechanical focus remains firmly on combat decisions and deck construction.

PC features, controls, and localization

The PC edition is distributed through Steam and is identified as a single-player game. Steam Cloud, achievements, and Family Sharing are listed platform features, but the storefront does not advertise online multiplayer, split-screen, or co-op support.

Steam marks the game with a Mouse Only tag and does not list official full controller support. The interface is therefore best approached as a mouse-first card and strategy experience rather than a gamepad-focused RPG.

The Steam version runs through the Steam client. No separate launcher requirement or anti-cheat system is listed on the current storefront page, and the game is not presented as a competitive multiplayer title.

Interface and subtitle localization is listed for English, French, German, Spanish from Spain, Japanese, Polish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese. This gives the PC release broad text coverage, while the storefront does not present the game as a full voice-acted production in all supported languages.

Players looking for a more experimental card adventure can also compare it with genre-shifting card roguelikes such as Inscryption. The two games share a taste for risk and run-based card decisions, but Inscryption is more focused on horror, puzzles, and changing rulesets than on managing a full tactical party.

Similar games on PC

Slay the Spire is the clearest comparison for players interested in procedural deckbuilding, card removal, route choices, and repeated solo runs. Banners of Ruin differs through its multi-hero party, positional battlefield, equipment, and race-specific card pools.

Inscryption is a useful comparison for players who value unusual card mechanics and a darker atmosphere. Its campaign is more experimental and narrative-driven, while Banners of Ruin keeps its attention on party development and tactical combat.

These comparisons are most useful for identifying the type of decision-making involved. Banners of Ruin is not simply a card game with fantasy artwork; its distinct identity comes from combining deckbuilding with formation control, character recruitment, loot, and persistent unlocks.

Banners of Ruin FAQ

Is Banners of Ruin still the current PC name?

Yes. The current Steam storefront lists the game as Banners of Ruin. No verified rebrand, definitive replacement edition, or alternate current PC title was found during the storefront check.

Is Banners of Ruin single-player?

Yes. It is designed as a single-player experience. The current PC listing does not advertise online co-op, split-screen multiplayer, or competitive multiplayer modes.

How many characters can join the party?

A run can grow to up to six party characters. The available heroes come from six races, each with distinctive cards and passive traits that influence deck construction and formation strategy.

What are the main DLC additions?

The current storefront lists Powdermaster, Moonstone, Iris, and the Supporter Pack as optional paid add-ons. The base game remains a complete paid single-player deckbuilding RPG, while the add-ons are separate content purchases.

Does the PC version support controllers?

Steam identifies Banners of Ruin with a Mouse Only tag and does not list official full controller support. Players should expect the PC interface to be designed primarily around mouse input.

What is the real gameplay structure?

There is no conventional real-time party campaign. You navigate card-driven encounters through Dawn's Point, fight turn-based battles, recruit and develop heroes, improve the deck with cards and equipment, and use between-run unlocks to create stronger future attempts.