ORX
Early access since Aug 2022
A new take on tower-defence and deckbuilding roguelike genres. ORX is like playing Carcassonne with your table on fire. Build your perfect deck, use powerful artefacts, master 3 unique factions. Prove that you are the King of your castle!
68% positive · 685 reviews
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Where to buy
Steam $9.99 $19.99 −50%
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site
Evaluation
ORX has been in Early Access since August 30, 2022 and remains explicitly unfinished. The developer (johnbell) has maintained a consistent and active development cadence throughout, shipping major content updates including the Boreal Nomads faction (November 2023), Phoenix Rising (July 2024), Iron Blessings (March 2025), and the sweeping 'From the Ashes' overhaul (December 19, 2025). Following that overhaul, the team shipped further feature patches on February 11 and March 19, 2026, then a substantial Dune Reavers gameplay update on June 25, 2026, and a hotfix as recently as July 17, 2026. The June 25, 2026 update explicitly states that "the next update is going to be considerably bigger," previewing the completion of a third Dune Reavers deck archetype and a new card Mutators system — confirming that development is ongoing and the team has concrete near-term work in progress. No 1.0 release date has been announced, and the game's version numbers (currently in the v14.x range) indicate it remains well short of a full release.
Evidence
Dune Reavers gameplay update shipped with new cards and archetypes, and explicitly notes a third deck archetype is not yet fully implemented. The post previews the next update, which will complete that archetype and introduce a new card Mutators system.
Developer devlog for 'From the Ashes' major update explains the year's communication silence was due to rapid iteration, and confirms the update represents a comprehensive overhaul of core systems. Classified as a development_status post confirming continued active work.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
CRITICAL REFLEX
Achievements
2
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
Dawn of Victory
We could list many more known tabletop and video games as comparisons, but ORX is so much more! Each faction’s gameplay is unique, each mission plays out differently. And when you achieve your perfect strategy, you won’t be a mere King. You’ll feel like a God.
Warriors of the World United
ORX features 3 factions with unique gameplay. And we mean it! Each one interacts with the game in different ways, providing a completely different approach while preserving the core experience.
- Rune Guardians are the poster boys of ORX, focused around building impenetrable walls of castles.
- Dune Reavers is the richest faction in the game, opting for a more classic RTS gameplay with unit management.
- Boreal Nomads is the stone-willed nation of humans and giants, with a gameplay reminiscent of strategy sims, like that of Majesty series.
Bound for Glory
Your deck of cards is your key to victory, and you can customize it to suit your playstyle. Focus on magic, fortifications, troops, or economy; upgrade your cards, use powerful spells and artifacts. Find every opportunity to one-up the ORX. And if you manage to invent an especially effective strategy, don’t be surprised when you see your name in the Leaderboard!
Unholy Warcry
ORX are the namesake of the game and your blood rivals. Varied in strength, toughness and ingenuity – they all pose an existential threat to your nation. Master the Rock-Paper-Scissors style archetypes of both your defences and the ORX. Find their weak points. Play your cards right. And maybe you will stand a chance against the green scourge.
Through the Storm
Cleanse the land of Medea from ORX: from temperate forests to ruin-filled deserts, from icy wastelands to void-ridden planes. Reconquer each continent node-by-node, risking to be overwhelmed with corruption-boosted ORX. Or take a wager, bee lining straight to the boss. No matter the choice – every campaign, event and mission will play differently each time.
The Power of the Ancient Force
What is a horde without a leader! And only the meanest, most brutal, most cunning of ORX could boss others around. Overcome these mountains of malice with careful deck management and meticulous strategy. Once you’re victorious, reap their very essence for powerful campaign-long buffs, leveling the playing field for the upcoming challenges.
Time Stands Still
Lose yourself in this unforgiving world, thanks to the game’s unique art style. Balancing between grimdark and light-hearted fantasy of vintage book illustrations, it allows ORX to mix the right amount of brutality and comedy. All the while the epicness of each battle is amplified with the original soundtrack by Nicolas de Ferran (They Are Billions).
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Aug 19, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content