Having meticulously pored over every detail of None Shall Intrude, I present to you a comprehensive review. Developed by Aeterna Ludi and released on January 21, 2025, this roguelite deck-building game places you in the epicenter of valiant battles as a powerful raid boss intending to conquer all. With its intriguing gameplay mechanics, stunning aesthetics, and innovative card mobility, None Shall Intrude fosters a sense of dominance that resonates within a completionist like me. Having said this, there were aspects that fell short of the mark, which dampened my enthusiasm to some degree.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay mechanics are an intriguing merger of deck-building and tile-based combat; they elevate the robustness and strategy quotient of the game impressively. Although the game leaves a potent first impression, its talent mechanics seem highly unbalanced. This imbalance pushes the player to lean towards specific cards, thereby reducing player versatility—counterproductive to the game’s roguelike spirit. Similarly, the bugs I noticed in the game were concerning. Delays in ending turns, missing sound effects, and cards not playing highlight technical deficiencies that must be addressed. Echoing Player 1’s sentiment, I too felt frustrated at some points where the game seemed to stumble. Notwithstanding, when the mechanics worked as intended, the combat was immersive and thrilling. The sense of power the game imparts to the player is exhilarating.
Story and characters
The characters and the world-building of None Shall Intrude are intriguing, but not very compelling. There is a striking deficiency of depth and dimensionality that left me craving more. The game astutely leverages the classic appeal of playing as a dragon but does not develop an engaging storyline to marshal this concept. However, the side quests — such as the optional bosses — add a dash of variety into the gameplay, but as Player 1 aptly put it, those 3 guys are literally all the ‘cool side content’ there is.
Visuals and graphics
Visually, the aesthetics are impressive. The art style creates a sense of grandeur in the game’s world, playing into the fantasy theme superbly, fully in agreement with Player 2 here. The vivid card art, richly detailed character models, and atmospheric backgrounds significantly augment the game’s immersive appeal.
Sound and music
Unfortunately, constitute my most substantial gripe with the game. The erratic nature of the music, randomly stopping and restarting, substantially detracted from the overall ambiance. The missing sound effects, as mentioned by Player 1, lend the game a monotonous air. Sound design is integral to immersion and the absence of crucial sound effects such as dramatic battle noises felt like a robbed opportunity to genuinely envelop players within the game world.
Difficulty and replayability
It is in difficulty and replayability where None Shall Intrude begins to hit the mark. The juxtaposition of intuitive and complex interactions between the three elements confer a steep learning curve on the game. As mentioned by Player 3, the elements initially appear confusing but become intuitive after a few rounds. As a completionist, every session brought me a sense of accomplishment, whether it was carving my path on the map or experimenting with different builds or tackling optional bosses. It surely has its moments which encourage players to return.
Conclusion
Overall, None Shall Intrude is a promising roguelike deck-builder that taps into the quintessential fantasy of reigning as a dragon. It combines a compelling concept and dynamic gameplay with an enchanting art style. However, the game sadly suffers from technical issues, an inadequate soundscape, and slightly monotonous content. With an update addressing these issues, the game could be emblematic in the roguelite genre. For now, it remains an enjoyable, albeit flawed experience.
Rating
Considering its highs and lows, I would award None Shall Intrude a 3 out of 5 stars. It has the potential to be a hallmark in its genre, and I am hopeful that Aeterna Ludi keeps refining it. Despite its shortcomings, None Shall Intrude offered a satisfying yet challenging experience, which I believe is worth exploring for all completionists.
