Deathless: The Hero Quest brings a distinct mythological flavor to the deck-building roguelike formula. Set in the Slavic-inspired realm of Belosvet, it follows four heroes – Varvara the Fair, Vasilisa the Wise, Dobrynya Nikitich, and Alyosha – each with unique cards, relics, and abilities. The combination of folklore and fantasy makes for a refreshing twist on a familiar genre, while the brand new PS5 edition provides smooth performance and responsive controls suited for turn-based strategy.
The game’s structure blends exploration, decision-making, and turn-based battles. Each run unfolds across a branching map where you choose paths between combat, events, and treasures. Battles are tight, tactical affairs built around energy management, relic synergies, and card combinations. The “one-more-run” loop is strong, giving each hero distinct playstyles that encourage experimentation.
Visually and aurally, Deathless impresses more than you might expect from an indie deck-builder. Its illustrated cards, mythic environments, and hand-drawn animations give each encounter a folk-tale charm, while the soundtrack – an atmospheric mix of choral and Slavic motifs – adds real character. On PS5, the presentation shines: crisp visuals, fluid interface, and quick loading keep momentum steady throughout runs.
However, balance and pacing issues prevent Deathless from fully flourishing. Some heroes’ decks feel underpowered compared to others, limiting flexibility and making certain strategies more frustrating to pursue. Deck management can be restrictive too – cards are not always easy to swap or refine mid-run, which occasionally leaves you stuck with suboptimal builds. These design quirks don’t ruin the experience but do make some sessions feel uneven.
The game’s biggest strength lies in its replayability. Between the distinct heroes, hundreds of cards, and risk-versus-reward map choices, there’s plenty of reason to return. Each run feels like a self-contained story, and the gradual mastery of its systems is rewarding. Performance on PS5 is stable, with fast restarts and minimal bugs. While the story mostly serves as a backdrop, it adds color through lore fragments and symbolic references to courage, fate, and resilience.
Deathless: The Hero Quest might not revolutionize its genre, but it’s a robust and well-made experience that will appeal to fans of roguelike deck-builders. Its folklore aesthetic and varied heroes give it identity, while its strong foundation and fair challenge make it easy to recommend. For those who can accept some rough edges in balance and progression, there’s a lot to enjoy in returning to Belosvet for just one more run.
Score: 7.9/10
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