Skip to main content

Griftlands

Charm and good storytelling overcome limited, experimental deck-building.
Griftlands Game Cover
92%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
94% User Score Based on 9,974 reviews
Critic Score 84%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|SPCCloudMac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $0.77
Buy NowGet on Steam $6.79Buy NowGet on Epic Games Store
Griftlands Game Cover

About

Griftlands is a single player role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Klei Entertainment and was released on June 1, 2021. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"In Griftlands, everything is negotiable: money, loyalty—even morality. Choose your character and make your fortune. Griftlands is the next game by Klei."

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Griftlands screenshot
Skip User Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,974 reviews
story1.6k positive mentions
grinding88 negative mentions
  • Griftlands combines engaging storytelling with deck-building mechanics, offering a unique experience in the roguelike genre.
  • The dual-deck system for combat and negotiation adds depth and variety to gameplay, allowing players to approach encounters in different ways.
  • The art style, character design, and humor contribute to a vibrant and immersive world that keeps players invested.
  • Runs can be excessively long, often taking 4-5 hours, which may deter players looking for quicker gameplay.
  • The game can feel repetitive after completing the campaigns, as the storylines and character interactions may not change significantly in subsequent runs.
  • Some players find the negotiation mechanics confusing and less satisfying compared to traditional combat, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
  • story
    4,899 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in *Griftlands* is a significant aspect that enhances the gameplay experience, offering a rich narrative intertwined with deck-building mechanics. Players engage with three distinct characters, each with their own unique storylines and choices that impact the game's progression, leading to varied outcomes and replayability. While many appreciate the depth and humor of the writing, some find the story repetitive after multiple playthroughs, suggesting that the narrative may not hold the same appeal in subsequent runs. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging storytelling with strategic gameplay, making it a standout in the deck-building roguelike genre.

    • “There's loads of narrative interactions and outcomes for your choices in the story missions, making the world feel fleshed out and interesting - I've done ~20 playthroughs and still really enjoying it, plus the 'boss rush' and 'brawl' game modes add a slick gauntlet version if you just want to roll through some combats and test out different builds.”
    • “Klei added a unique story mode for each of the three playable characters, allowing you to complete quests and thereby making new friends or enemies.”
    • “Griftlands combines genius storytelling, worldbuilding, deck-building mechanisms, and of course, roguelike gameplay.”
    • “Despite the well-written dialogues, I found the storytelling mediocre and the characters a little bit flat.”
    • “They're mostly caricatures seeking revenge, while the story lacks major events that you'll remember for long.”
    • “The story elements were not that compelling to justify another playthrough, and it feels they will get in the way of the battles.”
  • gameplay
    2,970 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Griftlands* is characterized by its innovative dual-deck system, allowing players to engage in both combat and negotiation, each with distinct mechanics that enhance strategic depth. While many players appreciate the engaging story and character-driven gameplay, some critique the overall balance and complexity, noting that the mechanics can feel overwhelming or repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully blends deck-building with RPG elements, offering a unique experience that appeals to fans of both genres, though it may not reach the same mechanical depth as titles like *Slay the Spire*.

    • “This dual-deck system is a novel concept that adds layers of complexity to the gameplay.”
    • “Fantastic roguelike deckbuilder, the player characters all have their own quirks that make their gameplay feel different from the rest.”
    • “The multiple options for optimizing your character makes for different gameplay every time, as well as the procedurally generated quests and storylines.”
    • “His defense is bad, his damage is bad, his mechanics are counter-intuitive, he's hard countered by several bosses, and because of these issues, he just isn't really fun to play because it's entirely possible to get rolled in the first couple of battles if you don't have good RNG.”
    • “There are also mechanics that are just bad.”
    • “The gameplay loop is a bit repetitive with low amount of variety which lowers its replay-ability.”
  • graphics
    938 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Griftlands" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, cartoonish art style and smooth animations, characteristic of Klei Entertainment's signature aesthetic. Players appreciate the detailed character designs and immersive environments, which enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience. While some minor graphical bugs have been noted, the overall visual presentation is considered stunning and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Griftlands is a deckbuilding, rogue-like game with beautiful cartoonish visuals and a well-made world with deep lore, factions, relationships, rivalries, and scheming.”
    • “The visuals are nothing short of stunning, with huge, animated sprites and a surprising variety of motions between all the different character types.”
    • “The art style is truly beautiful and the characters of the sci-fi world are well thought out and given great character, and there is a good amount of humor thrown in too.”
    • “Overall, other than the graphics everything else is bad or mediocre.”
    • “While the art style and overall aesthetic of the game is good, the battles are visually quite boring and not fun.”
    • “The art style is too busy, annoying, and nonsensical.”
  • replayability
    826 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, "Griftlands" is praised for its high replayability, driven by multiple characters with unique storylines, diverse gameplay mechanics, and various modes such as daily challenges and brawl mode. While some players note that the story-heavy nature can limit replay value after several runs, many appreciate the game's procedural generation and the impact of player choices, which contribute to a fresh experience with each playthrough. The combination of unlockable content and mod support further enhances its replayability, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.

    • “This works really well, and because there are lots of different choices to make in combination with random events, the replayability is very high.”
    • “Amazing deckbuilder RPG with hundreds of hours of replayability.”
    • “The different tactics and multiple storylines make this super replayable.”
    • “I'm glad I bought the game so far, and I plan to play it through, but since the story is such an important part of the experience, I doubt it will be as replayable as other games.”
    • “It was fun while it lasted, but it lacks replayability.”
    • “The game is not that replayable and the 'it's a story rogue-like' side is nothing special, but still more unique than Hades.”
  • music
    418 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its dynamic and atmospheric qualities that enhance gameplay, particularly during combat and negotiations. While some tracks are described as memorable and engaging, others are noted to be repetitive or forgettable, leading to a varied experience depending on personal taste. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to its immersive world and character interactions.

    • “The soundtrack is a majestic synth that will make you feel chilled, and at the same time connected to the story.”
    • “The music is impeccable, particularly the battle theme which masterfully shifts in tone as combat escalates toward its conclusion; even after 60 hours of play, I haven't gotten sick of it.”
    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal and I catch myself humming the battle and negotiation theme all the time now.”
    • “- the music is kind of a let down.”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
    • “As for the presentation - the art is stylish and all, but the music is forgettable at best and annoying at worst, which is quite a flaw when taking bogged down card battles into consideration.”
  • humor
    214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Griftlands" is widely praised for its clever, well-written dialogue and engaging characters, often blending dark humor with light-hearted moments. Players appreciate the game's ability to deliver hilarious interactions and unexpected comedic elements, making the narrative enjoyable and immersive. Overall, the humor is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and replayability.

    • “The style is cyberpunk sci-fi, ala Blade Runner, except it's tongue-in-cheek and funny, like an Edgar Wright movie.”
    • “The dialogue is sharp and humorous, and the descriptions could pass for a novel.”
    • “The story has amazing flair, the writing is brilliant, funny, with an amazing B-movie sci-fi feel.”
    • “Sometimes the humor just falls flat.”
    • “The jokes often miss the mark and fail to land.”
  • grinding
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need to replay similar storylines and dialogues. While some appreciate the depth and strategy involved in the grinding process, others feel that it detracts from the overall enjoyment, making progression feel unsatisfying and overly time-consuming. Overall, the game is seen as having potential, but the grind can be a significant barrier to enjoyment for many players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Only downside I can think of is that this game is a bit too grindy and runs can take a bit too long for you to get wiped before you start unlocking the cards and perks you need.”
    • “Because the gameplay is around a story, the grinding of new cards feels tedious, and it does not seem to add anything fresh to the formula anyway.”
    • “However, the three campaigns are only interesting for a few plays; after that, it feels tedious to try and grind out all of the different unlocks and achievements.”
  • atmosphere
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant art style, engaging world-building, and immersive sound design, which collectively create a unique and captivating experience. Players appreciate the distinct locales and the blend of humor and post-apocalyptic themes, likening it to iconic settings like the Mos Eisley bar from Star Wars. Overall, the combination of clever writing, atmospheric music, and well-crafted visuals contributes to a rich and enjoyable gameplay environment.

    • “Griftlands has a far superior art style; it offers different locales with their own distinct atmospheres and circumstances as the adventure's stomping grounds, and does a good job of portraying how as you gain notoriety, you gain new friends, but also make new enemies.”
    • “The overall art style is fantastic and the music and alien voice-overs make this a very atmospheric game.”
    • “The world building and atmosphere is engaging and nuanced.”
    • “Compared to Inscryption, the story and atmosphere are dull and repetitive and overstay their welcome.”
    • “It also has a more grounded atmosphere, which is definitely a question of taste.”
    • “The setting and atmosphere resembles a post-apocalyptic world with a bit of a humorous take.”
  • character development
    68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in games like "Griftlands" and similar deck-builders is praised for its depth and variety, featuring unique character designs, engaging backstories, and immersive world-building. Players appreciate the integration of character interactions and relationships, which enhance gameplay and narrative, while the art style and animations contribute significantly to the overall experience. However, some critiques mention a desire for more diversity in character designs and species, indicating room for improvement in this aspect.

    • “Character development in the form of deckbuilding and relationship building.”
    • “Real character development, survival in a dangerous world, interact with different factions, faction-specific card decks, character development over multiple levels, role-playing - I am motivated to do all this in the game.”
    • “Character development feels like it is fully implemented and is rich with a broad number of short and long-term systems to explore.”
    • “Character designs are not the best and definitely would've helped, if that is the type of game they were going for.”
    • “Character design is largely fixed.”
    • “Somehow like the hideous character design of the 'main' characters.”
  • stability
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant issues such as crashes on startup and frequent freezes, while others report a surprisingly smooth and bug-free experience. Overall, the feedback indicates a range of stability, from major bugs and glitches to a polished performance, particularly for an early access title.

    • “The game runs great, super slick and smooth and polished, responsive, everything you expect from Klei.”
    • “Can't believe how bug free the early access is.”
    • “So far it has been completely bug free for me.”
    • “I was getting the crash on startup issue, tried running as admin, which sorted it out, then trying out the game it crashes every 20 minutes or so, just freezes up and won't continue.”
    • “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs/glitches.”
    • “While never intended, visual glitches tend to be rapid flickering.”
  • optimization
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance even on low-end PCs and no issues such as bugs or lag. The balance between deck-building and gameplay mechanics enhances the experience, allowing players to focus on story and character rather than purely on optimization. Overall, the game is noted for its beautiful graphics and seamless performance.

    • “Beautiful graphics, smooth performance on my low-end PC.”
    • “The game is extremely optimized with beautiful and creative world-building, characters, animations, and special effects.”
    • “I've never experienced a single bug, lag, FPS drops, or any other sort of performance issue.”
    • “I love the art and worldbuilding, and I love how building your deck is how your grifter is interacting with the world on their mission—focusing on comboing cards, fighting dirty, defensive, offensive, item-focused, ally-focused etc. It's all so good and makes for a lot of fun building that I don't see in a lot of these types of games because you're wanting to build for the story and character, not just optimization!”
    • “Another nifty game mechanic is how choosing whom becomes a beloved friend and whom you assault/betray to become your hated enemies can have a big effect on your performance during these runs as well.”
    • “Also, I've never even experienced a single bug, lag/fps drops, or any other sort of performance issue.”
  • emotional
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of *Griftlands* resonates strongly with players, who appreciate the game's ability to create a personal narrative through its characters and gameplay mechanics. While some reviewers noted a lack of deep emotional connection to the protagonist's agenda, many found the writing, humor, and impactful choices—such as sparing or killing characters—contributed to a meaningful experience. Overall, the game is praised for its heartfelt moments and engaging storytelling, despite some critiques regarding the depth of the overall narrative.

    • “I've played several deckbuilders; this is the first one that I've felt emotionally connected to the characters.”
    • “Amazing characters and art that make moments heartfelt.”
    • “It's well-written, with a wry sense of humor and the occasional touching moment.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its well-written narrative and solid mechanics, with the added benefit of having no microtransactions, enhancing the overall experience. Randomness in gameplay contributes to varied storylines and faction interactions, making each playthrough unique.

    • “Well written, good mechanics and no microtransactions.”
Skip Critic Reviews

84%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Griftlands

18h Median play time
34h Average play time
10-48h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 90 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Griftlands

Games Like Griftlands

Tainted Grail: Conquest Image
90%7.6kreviews

Tainted Grail: Conquest

2021Role Playing
LinuxPCSteam Deck+1
Knock on the Coffin Lid Image
82%1.3kreviews

Knock on the Coffin Lid

2020Role Playing
Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5+5
Monster Train Image
90%13.9kreviews

Monster Train

2020Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5+15
Across the Obelisk Image
83%13.7kreviews

Across the Obelisk

2022Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|S+4
Trials of Fire Image
88%3.1kreviews

Trials of Fire

2021Role Playing
PCSteam DeckWindows
More games like Griftlands
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Griftlands is a role playing game with fantasy and science fiction themes.

Griftlands is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 34 hours playing Griftlands.

Griftlands was released on June 1, 2021.

Griftlands was developed by Klei Entertainment.

Griftlands has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Griftlands is a single player game.

Similar games include Tainted Grail: Conquest, Knock on the Coffin Lid, Monster Train, Across the Obelisk, Trials of Fire and others.