Hungarian developer Save Sloth Studios and Bristol-based publisher Yogscast Games will release “The Royal Writ,” a lane-based deckbuilder, on PC via Steam on August 7. Set in the medieval kingdom of Aranfold, the game casts players as commanders summoned by King Mikolt II to confront a notorious bandit lord after diplomatic efforts fail.

“The Royal Writ” blends whimsical, storybook art with roguelike deckbuilding and real permadeath, ensuring even favored units may never return from battle. Players deploy creatures across one to three battle lanes, leveraging power and multiplication modifiers to deplete enemy health before reaching their stronghold. Battle layouts shift each encounter, demanding adaptable strategies rather than rote tactics.

Between skirmishes, commanders navigate a variety of events—ranging from horse races to unexpected dentist visits—to upgrade surviving fighters. Successful ventures yield relics and gear that help units dodge environmental hazards such as anthills, spike pits, creeks and fields of oversized mushrooms. With a strict deck limit and looming permadeath, every decision carries weight, and squads must balance cannon-fodder recruits against clutch-carry heroes.

Creature cards boast distinct personalities and abilities. Ant units gain strength when grouped, while The Tax Collector, a vampire bat, drains both health and treasure. Gereb, a tipsy frog, grows more formidable as its health declines. No single strategy guarantees success, and multiple hardship and challenge settings encourage players to experiment with unconventional synergies.

Yogscast Games positions “The Royal Writ” as a fresh approach to deckbuilding, inviting gamers to form attachments to quirky fighters only to betray them when loot beckons. The studio anticipates that its community will embrace the ruthless humor and replayability inherent in sacrificing beloved units for the sake of victory.