Project Introduction
Mech Shuffle started as a personal game jam project to keep me occupied while I spent a month recovering from COVID. The minimum viable product turned out to be fresh, interesting, and fun. It struck a chord with me, and quickly became a long term project and my first game to release on Steam. We decided to release Mech Shuffle in early access last year, so that players could experience the game as it grew over time. Since then, reception has been positive, and we have expanded the game in many ways: continuing to add accessibility features, new content, new game modes, and UI/UX polish. Mech Shuffle is still in early access, and we are pushing hard for a full release early in 2024.A match in Mech Shuffle consists of multiple rounds, repeating until a mech is destroyed. During each round, players take turns playing cards until both players have run out of action points. Cards played will add tokens to the board. At the end of each round, the tokens will resolve, and the next round will begin. Tokens come in many varieties, such as Damage, Block, and Cooling.
Playing a card always removes an action point. Additionally, cards produce heat when played. When a player is at maximum heat, their mech will shut down and lose all remaining action points. A Mech will dissipate 3 heat at the end of each round, and special cooling tokens can be used to dissipate heat faster. Players can also Cycle a card by right clicking it. Cycling allows the player to spend action points to discard cards and draw replacements. Cycling does not cause heat.
Perfect Information means that you and your opponent always share the same information. Knowing the cards in your hand, and those in your opponents hand, it is up to you to find a path forward. Build your deck over the course of a run by salvaging new weapons and armour, upgrading your pilot skills, and learning new abilities.
With many unique mechs and pilots to unlock, each with special quirks and play styles, there are many ways to play. Choosing your road to victory will require many impactful decisions. Will you engage tougher opponents for greater rewards, or will you seek the safer routes?
