Into The Grid Review: Cyberpunk Roguelike Deckbuilder with Hacking, Strategy, and Replay Value

Into The Grid – Cyberpunk Roguelike DeckbuilderStrategic Hacking, Turn-Based Combat, and Procedural Depth

Into The Grid by Flatline Studios is a confident and ambitious roguelike deckbuilder that feels refreshingly different from its peers. Set in a neon-drenched cyberpunk future, the game drops players into a hostile digital Grid ruled by ruthless corporations and lethal security programs. From the first run, it’s clear this isn’t just another card battler—it’s a carefully layered strategy experience that rewards foresight, adaptability, and mastery.

Turn-Based Combat and First-Person Card BattlesImmersive Sci-Fi Strategy in Every Encounter

At its core, Into The Grid blends roguelite deckbuilding with deliberate turn-based combat and the pacing of a tabletop card game. Battles unfold from a first-person perspective, creating a rare sense of immersion in the genre. Every encounter demands careful planning rather than brute-force solutions, supported by striking card art, detailed enemy design, and an original cyberpunk soundtrack that reinforces the tension of every hack.

Dual-Resource System and Card SynergyVirtual Memory, Commands, and Tactical Flexibility

One of the game’s standout mechanics is its dual-resource system. Every card not only performs its primary effect but also generates Virtual Memory (VIM), which is used to activate powerful Commands. This design eliminates frustrating dead draws and ensures every hand has strategic value. Skilled players can consistently turn suboptimal situations into tactical opportunities, keeping momentum high and decision-making engaging throughout long runs.

Commands and Advanced Deckbuilding StrategyUnlockable Skills That Define Your Playstyle

Commands are where Into The Grid truly shines as a card battler. These unlockable skills are selected before combat and can dramatically shift encounters when deployed at the right moment. When synchronized with a well-tuned deck, Commands enable devastating combos that feel earned rather than overpowered. Mastery comes from understanding how your deck, resources, and Commands interact, giving the game a satisfying difficulty curve that rewards experimentation and learning.

Tactical Map Navigation and Procedural ExplorationCyberpunk Dungeon Crawling with Meaningful Choices

Outside of combat, tactical map navigation adds a second strategic layer that elevates the roguelike experience. The Grid functions like a digital dungeon crawler, filled with branching paths, risks, and rewards shaped by procedural generation. Every movement matters—choosing whether to engage an enemy, delay a reward, or retreat from danger can define the outcome of an entire run, creating constant tension between short-term survival and long-term optimization.

Progression Systems and Replay ValueDeckbuilding, Upgrades, and Long-Term Strategy

Progression systems are equally compelling. The Repo acts as your arsenal, allowing you to acquire new Program Cards, upgrade your strongest tools, and prune weaker options to refine your deckbuilding strategy. Meanwhile, the hacking Console functions as a customizable extension of your character, with unlockable perks and hardware mods that significantly alter playstyles. This layered progression ensures high replay value, with each singleplayer run feeling like a fresh experiment rather than repetition.

Narrative Design and Cyberpunk WorldbuildingCharacter Arcs, Environmental Storytelling, and Sci-Fi Atmosphere

Narratively, Into The Grid weaves its story through character-driven arcs and environmental storytelling. Multiple distinct hackers offer unique mechanics and perspectives, gradually unveiling the cyberpunk world without interrupting gameplay flow. Even in Early Access, the foundation is strong, with hints of deeper campaigns and richer sci-fi storytelling planned for full release.

Overall ThoughtsA Standout Cyberpunk Roguelike Card Game

Into The Grid is a standout cyberpunk roguelike deckbuilder that succeeds through innovation rather than imitation. Its blend of strategic card combat, procedural exploration, hacking mechanics, and meaningful decision-making makes it a compelling experience for fans of roguelikes, dungeon crawlers, and turn-based strategy games. Flatline Studios has created a difficult, intelligent, and highly replayable card game that challenges your tactical skills—and that’s what makes Into The Grid truly memorable.