MECHBORN: A Unique Roguelike Deckbuilder Announced

A new challenger enters the roguelike arena, fusing ancient myths with futuristic mechs. MECHBORN, from developer Turtle Juice and publisher Curve Games, promises a fresh take on the deckbuilding genre by making your mechanical war machine the deck itself.

Set against a backdrop where Greek mythology meets the aesthetic of 1990s mech anime, the game tasks players with protecting Earth from Kaiju attacks. The announcement introduces a strategic system where every card played is immediately replaced, demanding constant foresight and tactical positioning from players.

The central innovation in MECHBORN is the direct link between your deck and your mech's components. Instead of abstract cards, players use cards to swap out physical parts of their machine, creating a tangible connection between strategy and action. This system is designed to fundamentally change how players approach each turn.

Lead designer Ernani Rocha elaborated on this design philosophy, stating, "With MECHBORN, we wanted to rethink what moment-to-moment strategy feels like in a roguelike deckbuilder. The conveyor-belt card system fundamentally changes how players plan, adapt, and position themselves every turn."

"Every card played is immediately replaced, forcing players to think ahead, position cards strategically, and chain pilot abilities to forge mech-pilot synergies and unleash attack combos that can turn the tide of battle."

This conveyor-belt mechanic ensures that players cannot rely on static hands. Instead, they must constantly adapt to the cards they are dealt, planning several moves ahead to build powerful combos and maintain their mech's combat effectiveness.

Adding depth to the strategic layer, MECHBORN features 12 distinct mech pilots. Each pilot comes with unique skills and backgrounds, allowing for a wide variety of builds and playstyles during each run. This variety encourages experimentation and replayability as players discover synergies between different pilots and mech configurations.

Players are granted significant freedom on the battlefield. The game allows you to move and fight anywhere, offering a dynamic combat experience. However, this freedom is not without its costs. Fuel serves as the primary constraining resource, requiring careful management to avoid being stranded or powerless in the heat of battle.

• 12 unique pilots with distinct skills
• Freedom to move and fight anywhere on the map
• Fuel management as a key strategic element
• Deep customization through mech part swapping

Players eager to pilot their own customizable mech won't have to wait until the full launch. A pre-alpha demo is currently available for those interested in getting an early look at the game's unique mechanics. This demo can be accessed on the itch.io platform.

For the full experience, MECHBORN is scheduled for a late 2026 release. The game will be available across all major current-generation platforms, ensuring a wide audience can experience the blend of mythology and mechs. The confirmed platforms include:

• Steam (PC)
• Xbox Series X|S
• PlayStation 5
• Nintendo Switch 1 & 2

MECHBORN enters a competitive genre but distinguishes itself with a novel core mechanic. By making the deck a physical part of the player's machine, developer Turtle Juice aims to create a more immersive and tactile strategic experience. The conveyor-belt system, combined with pilot variety and resource management, sets the stage for deep, adaptive gameplay.

As the late 2026 release window approaches, the availability of the pre-alpha demo offers a tangible first step for players. The game's success will hinge on how well its unique systems translate from concept to practice, but the initial vision presents a compelling new direction for the roguelike deckbuilder.