Deathless. The Hero Quest, formerly known as Deathless. Tales of Old Rus, is a masterfully crafted roguelike deckbuilding adventure from 1C Game Studios (1CGS). Melding intense card-based combat, folklore-rich narrative, and turn-based strategy, this title transports players into Belosvet—a vibrant, Slavic myth–inspired realm. Released in December 2024, the game’s 1.1 update rebrands it and introduces polished mechanics, cinematic storytelling, and exciting new content.
Roguelike Map & Strategic Choices
At the heart lies a branching path system. Each node offers choices—combat nodes, merchant nodes, narrative events, and boss encounters. Nodes come with modifiers: extra loot, buffs, but also stronger enemies if you opt for riskier paths. Visual clarity is exceptional; intentions, armor values, AP costs, and card upgrades are prominently displayed.
Victory and transformation is bound to these nodes. After defeating enemies, you select new cards, relics, or upgrade existing cards. Upgrading transforms cards into stronger or alternate versions—adding depth and emergent combo potential.
Tactical Combat & Card Mechanics
Combat clearly draws inspiration from Slay the Spire, with an AP-based hand and strategic planning. Unique facets:
- Armor vs. Health: Armor absorbs damage fully; tactical focus is on stripping enemy armor or generating overwhelming damage.
- Enemy Intentions: Previews of what enemies will do each turn (e.g. “7‑DMG + Bleed”) allow players to react proactively.
- Status Effects & Positioning: Mechanics around stun, bleed, armor breaks, and minion placement give combat a tactical board-game feel.
- Upgrades and Feats: Clearing battles grants AP, cards, or consumables. Meta-progression includes unlocking hero feats and increasing difficulty with “Feats of Glory” levels 1–10
Narrative, Worldbuilding & Visuals
The world of Belosvet is steeped in Slavic folklore. From the final boss Koschey the Deathless to witches, werewolves, spirit trees, and firebirds, the game weaves mythic elements into every encounter.
The 1.1 update introduces a stunning animated intro and orchestral score that sets the epic tone, alongside refined victory animations—bolstering the game’s grand, folktale mood. Art is hand-painted by Roman Papsuev, and includes beautifully illustrated cards, distinctive hero portraits, and lively battle animations across desktop platforms like Steam and Epic.
Four Distinct Heroes & Unique Deck Archetypes
Varvara the Fair – Agile Trickster
Varvara excels at agility and board manipulation. Her deck is loaded with low-cost evasion cards, status-inflicting braid skills, and crowd-control tools. She’s ideal for players who enjoy kiting foes, busting armor with agility plays, and employing combo tactics that disarm enemies over multiple turns. Unique mechanics like stun, slow, and position swapping create deep strategic interplay.
Vasilisa the Wise – Elemental Summoner
Vasilisa’s deck centers on elemental bursts and summon-based synergy. Her signature Nursemaid minions provide support with healing, taunts, or burst damage. Cards emphasize passive damage-over-time (DoT), AP generation, and deck thinning to maximize chance of drawing those impactful spells. Guides praise her as a hero with “recover AP” and “tons of passive damage” tactics.
Dobrynya Nikitich – Armored Tank
A fortress in human form, Dobrynya combines raw defense with sudden bursts. His deck includes armor-boosting cards, shield bash beam mechanics, and buffs that stack defense into offense. His playstyle emphasizes layering armor to mitigate damage and using powerful armor consumption to dent enemy health directly.
Alyosha of Kitezh – Sword and Spellbane
Alyosha blends melee strikes with magical suppression. His star-steel blade cards deliver consistent physical damage, while Spellbane mechanics suppress enemy magic. His synergy lies in precise timing: using suppression to neutralize dangerous abilities, then finishing foes with sword strikes.
Technical Polish & Quality-of-Life Improvements
With the v1.1 “Reforged” update:
- Mechanics and status icons are refined for clarity—UI readability is notably improved.
- Hero card pools and boss abilities are rebalanced for fairness, presenting a more consistent meta.
- The mid-journey Turhaud, an elite enemy, prevents autopilot play by offering new tactical challenges.
- Path variety and node readability make exploration both approachable and strategic.
These changes deliver a smoother onboarding experience for new players while maintaining depth for veterans.
Accessibility, Platforms & Systems
Available on Steam and Epic Games, with Steam promotions (30% launch discount) and Epic featuring a free demo and achievement support. System requirements are modest: Windows 10, Intel i3 or AMD FX, 4 GB RAM, and OpenGL 3.0+ GPU with 2 GB VRAM.
Offers Steam Cloud saves, Trading Cards, and 69 customizable Achievements. Localization: Full audio & subtitles in English, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish.
Our thoughts
Deathless. The Hero Quest stands tall in the roguelike deckbuilder genre. With four well-defined heroes, a richly detailed Slavic-folklore world, and strategic depth from hard-hitting mechanics and deck synergy, it provides high replay value. The Version 1.1 “Reforged” update elevates narrative delivery, balances gameplay, and introduces refreshing challenges. Whether you’re drawn by folklore, strategic combat, or beautifully illustrated cards, Deathless offers a polished, rewarding, and endlessly replayable experience. For fans of Slay the Spire, Monster Train, or folklore-infused adventures, this is one of 2025’s most enchanting gems.
In conclusion, Deathless. The Hero Quest is a standout fusion of card strategy, roguelike structure, and cultural storytelling. Its layered mechanics, hero variety, and aesthetic flair make every run feel uniquely rewarding. Bolstered by regular updates and deep progression, it promises long-term engagement—marked, most memorably, by the epic journey to defeat Koschey the Deathless and protect Belosvet from darkness.