Hand of Fate

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,219 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Hand of Fate Game Cover
Hand of Fate is unique, offering an addictive and incredibly entertaining experience that anyone can enjoy.
Starting at €3.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

Hand of Fate is an action RPG with deck-building mechanics, where you face off against the enigmatic Dealer in a game of life and death. Your choices and the cards you play determine your path through a series of challenging scenarios, while combat requires careful resource management and strategic attacks. With a unique blend of tabletop and roguelike elements, Hand of Fate offers a rich and immersive experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,219 reviews
story198 positive mentions
grinding43 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of card-based gameplay and action RPG mechanics.
  • Engaging storytelling with a charismatic narrator (the Dealer).
  • High replayability due to randomized encounters and deck-building elements.
  • Combat mechanics can feel clunky and repetitive.
  • Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating experiences.
  • Final boss fight is significantly more difficult than previous encounters, leading to potential player frustration.
  • story892 mentions

    The story in "Hand of Fate" is delivered through a unique card-based system that combines elements of deck-building and RPG mechanics, allowing players to craft their own narrative as they progress through various encounters and quests. While the overarching plot is somewhat vague, the individual storylines tied to each card provide engaging mini-adventures that encourage exploration and replayability. However, some players find the reliance on randomness and the repetitive nature of certain encounters can detract from the overall experience, particularly in the later stages of the game.

    • “In conclusion, Hand of Fate is a must-play for fans of strategy, adventure, and immersive storytelling.”
    • “The story mode for the game is very well designed, with the player choosing what items and encounters they will experience in each 'level' of the story, encouraging risk-taking to unlock better cards, and with a difficulty that gradually ramps up, it will constantly keep you engaged.”
    • “The storytelling is well written, the randomness makes every game feel unique, and the combat is really enjoyable.”
    • “The story isn't relevant or even exists really, and I'm assuming the sequel will have the same premise.”
    • “The story is as basic as it comes, where you defeat bosses to eventually defeat a final boss without much of a fulfilling ending.”
    • “The story mode feels barebones and incomplete.”
  • gameplay766 mentions

    The gameplay of "Hand of Fate" is a unique blend of card-based mechanics and action RPG elements, offering a mix of strategic decision-making and real-time combat reminiscent of the Batman: Arkham series. While many players appreciate the innovative deck-building and narrative-driven encounters, criticisms often focus on the clunky combat mechanics and reliance on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, the game provides an engaging and atmospheric experience, though some find it repetitive and lacking depth in combat as they progress.

    • “Hand of Fate delivers a captivating gaming experience that seamlessly blends strategic card-based gameplay with thrilling action-adventure elements.”
    • “Mastering the timing and tactics of combat adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, ensuring that every battle feels like a thrilling duel of wits and reflexes.”
    • “The unique gameplay of the deckbuilding intertwined with the Arkham-style free-flow combat and great atmosphere results in a great experience.”
    • “The combat mechanic is terrible, with no ability to change the camera angle while you have mobs chasing you around.”
    • “The gameplay in Hand of Fate relies heavily on chance mechanics (random draws, random encounters, random card picks, etc.).”
    • “The battle mechanics (basically Batman: Arkham City combat) leave a lot to be desired and seem like they were added on.”
  • graphics301 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many reviewers praising the unique art style and aesthetic that effectively captures the game's themes. While some mention that the visuals are not cutting-edge and can feel simplistic or dated, they are often described as charming and fitting for the game's atmosphere. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the immersive experience, despite occasional performance issues and a few graphical glitches.

    • “The graphics are amazing, and the mix of genres is beautifully put together.”
    • “The graphics are really nice, in sort of a dark/cartoonish style that I find really easy on the eyes.”
    • “The graphics are well-suited to the game and have good art direction.”
    • “The graphics are just okay as well.”
    • “The graphics are fine and by no means a deal breaker, but it is a point of criticism in an otherwise well-performing game as far as how it runs.”
    • “The combat is a snoozefest and the graphics are subpar for a game released in 2015.”
  • replayability220 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its randomized elements, diverse card mechanics, and various game modes, including an endless mode that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the unique challenges presented in each session, which keeps gameplay fresh and engaging, despite some noting occasional repetition. Overall, the combination of deck-building and roguelike mechanics ensures that each playthrough offers a distinct experience, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.

    • “While Hand of Fate isn't without its flaws—the occasional repetition in card encounters and the learning curve of mastering combat—it more than makes up for them with its sheer depth and replayability.”
    • “The replayability is pretty high in my opinion since most other rogue-likes are meant to be clean and simple, and some publishers make FPS and different kinds of rogue-like elemented games but most of them can feel very cheap even if with lack of textures or that feeling to want to start over when you die a couple of times, this one on the other hand oh well I'll have some explaining to do.”
    • “Hand of Fate provides for a seemingly endless amount of replayability as each time you play will always be different.”
    • “The RNG aspect may also be one of its weaknesses and hampers replayability, but I paid €4 for this game, so if I get 10-20 hours out of it completing all the stages, I'm a happy camper.”
    • “When you first start playing, it's all very charming and wonderful, but by the 400th time of hearing him say the same thing (there's no way to skip or mute his monologues), it gets really annoying and definitely takes away from the replay value.”
    • “My main complaint for this game is the lack of replay value.”
  • atmosphere183 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Hand of Fate" is widely praised for its rich, immersive qualities, combining engaging lore, excellent voice acting, and a captivating art style that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a unique blend of tension and intrigue, with the dealer's character and narration significantly contributing to its charm. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest feature, making it a compelling choice for players who appreciate thematic storytelling and a well-crafted environment.

    • “Beyond its engaging gameplay mechanics, Hand of Fate also boasts a richly atmospheric world filled with lore and mystery.”
    • “The flawless sound design and thick fantasy atmosphere, along with the dealer's clever and hilarious voice lines, are more than worth the full price of entry on their own.”
    • “With a story that is enriching, an atmosphere that is downright untouchable, and great voice work by the dealer, it is a legendary game.”
    • “I feel that if you love this game it would only be due to the atmosphere, as the gameplay itself is very dated.”
    • “What destroys this atmosphere is the gameplay.”
    • “This game lives or dies by its atmosphere and presentation.”
  • music127 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its immersive and thematic qualities. While the soundtrack is often described as fantastic and well-composed, some players noted that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of music, voice acting, and sound design contributes significantly to the game's engaging experience.

    • “The music slaps, the gameplay is great, and the deck-to-dungeon concept is amazing.”
    • “The music is utterly great; it reminds me of folk tunes similar to what you would expect from artists such as Loreena McKennitt; it's soothing, but also thrilling at the same time.”
    • “The music is beautiful.”
    • “In contrast to what I mentioned earlier, the music is very repetitive.”
    • “Cons: there's barely any music, but what little there is, it's pretty good.”
    • “The music and narration are well put together with the aid of a great fantasy style voice actor, but even after just over an hour of playtime, the gameplay quickly became repetitive and irritating.”
  • grinding43 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the optional nature of grinding for achievements and card unlocks, others find it tedious and repetitive, particularly in combat scenarios. The game offers a blend of engaging mechanics and frustrating RNG elements, leading to a sense of monotony as players progress. Overall, the grinding aspect can enhance replayability for some, but it may also detract from enjoyment due to its potential to become a chore.

    • “Like the game will really want to screw over the players to lengthen the game, but it just made the game not fun and tedious.”
    • “It gets very tedious, and if you don't get lucky with curses, it's over.”
    • “Game is interesting and enjoyable for about an hour or two, but once you're past the first few bosses, every run turns into a slow and tedious slog as each one adds more and more events that are basically just boring static debuffs that you don't get any opportunity to mitigate or avoid.”
  • humor27 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by clever and witty voice lines from the dealer, who balances menace with a friendly demeanor, often mocking players in a lighthearted way. Players appreciate the game's blend of charm and humor, with many finding the quests and situations genuinely funny, though some note that the humor can become repetitive or lose its charm over time. Overall, the game offers a mix of casual humor and poignant moments, making it an enjoyable experience that elicits chuckles and laughter throughout gameplay.

    • “The flawless sound design and thick fantasy atmosphere, along with the dealer's clever, wise, and hilarious voice lines and taunts, are more than worth the full price of entry on their own.”
    • “The perfect mix between a deck builder, a rogue-like dungeon crawler, and an RPG, all wrapped up in a crust of subtle humor.”
    • “The quests themselves are well written, and a few of them are laugh-out-loud funny.”
  • optimization23 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report solid performance and smooth gameplay on higher settings, others experience significant graphical issues, frame drops, and poor optimization for lower-end systems. The combat mechanics and animations also require further refinement to enhance the overall experience. Despite these challenges, many users appreciate the immersive voice performances and the fun battle system, indicating potential for improvement in future updates.

    • “And pretty well optimized.”
    • “Performance: love this game, runs really well without having to alter the settings.”
    • “I can also see how they optimized the use of the Unity 3D engine in this game.”
    • “The game itself is poorly optimized on the visual side, with frequent frame drops which shouldn't be happening.”
    • “Unfortunately, graphics performance is so bad on the lowest settings.”
    • “The optimization is quite iffy; it will tank your CPU for no apparent reason sometimes.”
  • stability23 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting solid performance and minimal bugs, while others have experienced frequent glitches, controller issues, and occasional crashes. Although many acknowledge that the game has improved with patches, a significant number of users still encounter frustrating stability problems, particularly after updates. Overall, while the game shows potential, its current state is marred by bugs that can detract from the experience.

    • “With the addition of being bug free, it's an absolute pleasure to dip in and out of.”
    • “The actual gameplay, however, has been bug free so far.”
    • “It is well polished and bug free, making it a great experience overall.”
    • “The game is very buggy.”
    • “My major concern is that the game is very buggy in this state; I can seldom get a few rounds before the game crashes or freezes up.”
    • “I have encountered a few graphical glitches, such as pink boats and monsters' limbs stretching like elastic, as well as a couple of freezes that forced me to restart the game.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    Players describe the game as an emotional rollercoaster, evoking strong feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak through its unique card mechanics and storytelling. The emotional depth is highlighted by moments of regret and triumph, making players feel a profound connection to their choices and the game's narrative. Overall, it stands out as a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with those who engage with it.

    • “This game was an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “A card game like no other... dive deep into the stories of your fate... some you may regret ever touching, others will guide you to a greater outcome.”
    • “It has been a long time since I felt an emotional connection to a game and let me explain why;”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of intrusive microtransactions, offering a refreshing experience free from constant monetization tactics. However, some users criticize the downloadable content (DLC) as a cash grab, noting that it primarily adds new starting classes and items without significantly enhancing gameplay. Overall, while the absence of microtransactions is appreciated, concerns remain about the value and necessity of the DLC.

    • “And no, there's no microtransactions to buy cards.”
    • “I know that makes this sound like I'm setting up to talk about microtransactions, but this game is entirely free of them, which is quite refreshing.”
    • “They don't pelt us with microtransactions every 4 seconds and expect that to be fine.”
    • “The DLC is a bit of a cash grab though; it just adds some new starting classes and items they start with, but it's still a great game!”
    • “I first saw this video in a paid promotion and I was pre-emptively gagging, expecting some cash grab.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its rich lore and depth, featuring a card-based system that combines elements from Hearthstone, Dungeons and Dragons, and Arkham Asylum. Players appreciate the intriguing character designs and encounters, which enhance the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The character development is card-based, offering a unique and engaging way to progress and evolve your characters.”
    • “It's like a mix of Hearthstone, Dungeons and Dragons, and Arkham Asylum - dark and mysterious with beautiful art and brilliant character designs.”
    • “The game features a surprising amount of progression and a ton of depth, making character development both rewarding and enjoyable.”
    • “Character development feels overly simplistic and lacks depth.”
    • “The progression system is confusing and doesn't provide meaningful choices.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Hand of Fate

Play time

5hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
11hMain story
65hCompletionist
3-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games