A fresh twist on the roguelike deckbuilder genre has been revealed. Indie studio Atelier QBD has officially announced TOKENS, a stylish strategy game that replaces traditional cards with tokens, introducing a new approach to deckbuilding gameplay.
The announcement was made during the prestigious Pégases Awards 2026, where the developer also confirmed that a playable demo is now available on Steam. The full game is currently planned for release in Q3 2026.
Blending roguelike mechanics with a unique tabletop-inspired system, TOKENS challenges players to master strategy, randomness, and tactical decision-making within a mysterious fantasy world inspired by the Roaring Twenties.
TOKENS Brings a New Twist to Roguelike Deckbuilders
In TOKENS, players step into a stylish fantasy universe inspired by exclusive clubs of the 1920s, where artists, adventurers, and visionaries gather to test their abilities.
At the heart of the story lies the enigmatic Token Club, a secret society that only the most talented individuals can enter.
Players take on the role of an ambitious challenger hoping to earn a place within this prestigious organization. To do so, they must prove their strategic prowess by constructing powerful decks made entirely of tokens instead of cards.
This unique gameplay system introduces a new layer of tactical depth rarely seen in the roguelike deckbuilder genre.
Build Powerful Token Decks with Arcanas and Effigies
Success in TOKENS depends on building a powerful and adaptable deck using several key mechanics:
- Tokens – The main strategic pieces players arrange during battles
- Arcanas – Special abilities that enhance tokens and create powerful effects
- Effigies – Unique items that modify strategies and unlock new tactical options
Players must carefully combine these elements to reach score targets and progress through increasingly challenging rounds.
Overseeing the challenges is the mysterious dealer Mister Mirage, who orchestrates each trial and tests players’ tactical creativity.
Dynamic Runs with Challenging Boss Encounters
Like many roguelike games, every run in TOKENS offers a different configuration of challenges.
Players must place tokens strategically on the table to reach the required score and advance through rounds.
Key gameplay elements include:
- Randomized encounters and challenges
- Strategic token placement to maximize scoring potential
- Constant adaptation as new abilities and items appear
Every three rounds, players will face a boss encounter designed to push their strategies to the limit and force them to rethink their approach.
Demo Available Now Ahead of Q3 2026 Release
Players eager to try the game early can now download the TOKENS demo on Steam, offering a preview of its unique mechanics and stylish world.
The full game is scheduled to launch in Q3 2026 and will support 10 languages, including:
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Traditional Chinese
- Simplified Chinese
- Japanese
- Korean
Developer Aims to Reinvent the Deckbuilder Formula
According to Quentin De Beukelaer, founder of Atelier QBD and the developer behind TOKENS, the project represents a shift toward gameplay-first design.
After previously creating narrative-driven horror titles like Narcosis and Decarnation, De Beukelaer wanted to explore new mechanical ideas.
He explained that the token-based system allows players to manipulate randomness in creative ways, opening new strategic possibilities while maintaining the unpredictability that makes roguelike games exciting.
A Stylish Indie Deckbuilder to Watch in 2026
With its Roaring Twenties-inspired aesthetic, innovative token mechanics, and roguelike progression, TOKENS is shaping up to be one of the more unique indie strategy titles arriving this year.
As deckbuilder fans continue searching for fresh experiences beyond traditional card mechanics, this upcoming game could offer a compelling alternative when it launches later in 2026.
For now, players can jump into the demo and begin their journey toward earning a place inside the mysterious Token Club.
Stay up to date with TOKENS:
- Join our community on Discord
- Add the game to your Steam wishlist and try the demo
- Follow us on social media
