Howl
Howl
Game
Game2025
Death Howl
Developer The Outer Zone
Death Howl is a turn-based strategy video game developed by The Outer Zone and published by 11 Bit Studios, released on December 9, 2025 on Windows. The game launched on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on February 19, 2026. Developer The Outer Zone is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
402 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 3, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
91
LovedLoved
256 positive · 25 negative
95% range 87–94%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 256 | 25 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 48 | 2 | 48 |
| Lemmy * | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 11 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
1,015 of 1,090 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
91% recommend · 244 yes, 24 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 268 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (1,412 of 1,528 positive).
Players praise the unique blend of tactical grid-based combat and deckbuilding. [1][2][3] The art style, atmosphere, and story are widely acclaimed. [4][5][6] Some find the grind and build reset between realms frustrating. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
I don't like it. You'll visit different worlds with each a flair and an associated set of cards ... its focus is very much the adventure rather than the strategy. Because of that restriction, the depth of the deckbuilding aspect is shallower than what one might expect : it's a tight environment of some cards already tailored to go together. Again, the focus isn't so much on the gameplay and deckbuilding aspect, but …
- [4]
I'm not one to typically write reviews, but this game just came out and I imagine many are skeptical to buy it, so I figured it would be helpful to give my thoughts so far. I bought this game on a whim after seeing the steam page, and knowing nothing about it/the development process. As of right now (~10 hours into the game, which seems like it could easily last another 30), I have next to no complaints. First and …
- [2]
I will start this review by saying I don't like deck builders. I have them filtered out on steam. A friend recommended I try it and this game is absolutely amazing. It's like a mix of deck builder and Into the Breach. 10/10 game, try it out. Edit: I just finished the game. This game is a masterpiece.
- [16]
Should you play Death Howl? In my opinion the answer is a definitive yes and I've been trying to pitch the game to all of my friends. As it turns out, however, it's a bit of a tough sell for reasons I'm not quite certain of. Perhaps the pixelart graphics aren't to everyone's tastes or the combat style seems odd to card game fans more used to the rogue-like gameplay of games like Slay the Spire. Maybe the unfortunate …
- [12]
Rich Deckbuilding Potential Behind A Frustrating Curve. I remember playing the demo of this game back in February 2025, and I specifically remember that Death Howl proudly advertises itself as a "souls-like deck builder." Of course there is no stamina management and i-frame dodge since it's a turn-based game similar to Into The Breach, but the punishing difficulty, grim dark theme, and the vibe of "slowly getting …
Summarised from 34 of the 377 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Death Howl sits at 91% positive across 281 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Death Howl received generally favorable reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 85% of critics. Reviewing the game for Destructoid, Rachel Samples lauded Death Howl as "a harrowing, punishing, and visually striking game about grief and survival" as well as "a fantastic representation of both the deckbuilding and soulslike genres". Samples further praised the art style, exploration, storytelling, and balanced gameplay difficulty while offering some criticism toward the sometimes "wonky" controller support. In his review for PCMag, Vincent Peter…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 402 · most liked firstI'm not one to typically write reviews, but this game just came out and I imagine many are skeptical to buy it, so I figured it would be helpful to give my thoughts so far. I bought this game on a whim after seeing the steam page, and knowing nothing about it/the development process. As of right now (~10 hours into the game, which seems like it could easily last another 30), I have next to no complaints. First and foremost, the art style is absolutely gorgeous. The game sees you wandering…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I don't like it. You'll visit different worlds with each a flair and an associated set of cards ... its focus is very much the adventure rather than the strategy. Because of that restriction, the depth of the deckbuilding aspect is shallower than what one might expect : it's a tight environment of some cards already tailored to go together. Again, the focus isn't so much on the gameplay and deckbuilding aspect, but on the narrative. The player is put in a situation where they have to farm…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Honestly ? This might feel insulting to other games released this year that have bigger production value or shook everyone (looking at you, Clair Obscur : Expedition 33), but this is GOTY material right there. What is Death Howl ? I'll try my best to sum it up : - tactical with emphasis on positioning and movement (think of Into The Breach) - with deck building mechanics (with cards that you craft and keep, not a rogue-like) - equipment for passive bonuses (and later active powers) - on an…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →-Exploration and progression like Elden ring -Gameplay like into the breach -Deckbuilding like slay the spire
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I tend to only write reviews when I have a strong opinion about a game. So needless to say, I really enjoyed Death Howl. If you like turn based strategy games with some deck building, then you'll probably enjoy this game. Watering down the game to a mere comparison, I would say that it's somewhat similar to Into the Breach or other Fire Emblem-type games. That being said, give the demo a try. It's not too long of a sample and gives a good impression of what you will be playing. The game is…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I can't believe it a deck builder that isn't a rouge-like, your actually building a deck. haven't play something this good since inscription. Interesting solid card game with a solid story and premise that isn't a rouge-like I can not express that enough.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I will start this review by saying I don't like deck builders. I have them filtered out on steam. A friend recommended I try it and this game is absolutely amazing. It's like a mix of deck builder and Into the Breach. 10/10 game, try it out. Edit: I just finished the game. This game is a masterpiece.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →And as my first act of 2026... here are my top 10 indie games from 2025. What a freaking year 😍 10. Axyz 9. Tiny Bookshop 8. Wheel World 7. CARIMARA: Beneath the Forlorn Limbs 6. CloverPit 5. Dispatch 4. Death Howl 3. Despelote 2. Wanderstop 1. Blue Prince
neutral · AI labelView post →Currently fighting depression Thought that would be a nice game to change my mind Now I'm fighting against even weirder things At least, it's a mood match The battle is hard 10/10 would recommend
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's alright. It's good in fact. But it's a refund from me. Death Howl tries to do two things at the same time, but it falls off a little short. It attempts to be narrative in its pacing and design, but the gameplay relying on you going geographically through A-B-C-D, then returning to A every time you reach C a few times to grind/get materials messes with the storytelling aspect. Since the encounters are custom designed and not randomly generated, that B and C points are the same every time,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My friends at The Outer Zone has released a (lengthy) demo for Death Howl on Steam. Awesome game. Congrats @theouterzone.bsky.social and team ❤️ store.steampowered.com/app/2825880/... Hit that Wishlist.
positive · AI labelView post →Death Howl time! This game flew under the radar on release. It’s a turn-based deckbuilder with soulslike elements and I’m having a great time with it. The story, soundtrack, and visuals are beautiful, and the gameplay is really heckin solid. Come vibe 🐶 twitch.tv/itisidog
positive · AI labelView post →I finished the game in 19 hours, I managed to get all the achievements and almost all the cards. I really enjoyed the game, and especially because it is on the cheaper side I'd say its very well worth it. Death howl has you explore 4 different regions, each with its own animal enemies cards and sidequests. Each area has a different theme of cards (for example one is focused around taking damage and status effects, other is about blocking etc.) so there is something for everyone. Each enemy…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Should you play Death Howl? In my opinion the answer is a definitive yes and I've been trying to pitch the game to all of my friends. As it turns out, however, it's a bit of a tough sell for reasons I'm not quite certain of. Perhaps the pixelart graphics aren't to everyone's tastes or the combat style seems odd to card game fans more used to the rogue-like gameplay of games like Slay the Spire. Maybe the unfortunate 'soulslike' marketing turns a few people away as well. So, let me try to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I ended up really liking this game, but I think it might be a little too niche for a mainstream audience. If you are in the Venn Diagram of its target audience it might end up being one of your favourite games, however. This is pretty much exactly 50% grid-based strategy and 50% deckbuilding, and you really REALLY need to like BOTH halves of its gameplay to gel with it. If you only like grid-based strategy you will be frustated at various points since the game requires you to actively finetune…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →'Death Howl' is coming Xbox Series, PS5 and Nintendo Switch on February 19th 2026. Already on PC and Pc Game Pass. youtu.be/N7J4c7mzP2M?...
neutral · AI labelView post →Death Howl is a wonderfully dark and compelling experience that truly stands out. The game’s visual style is its biggest strength; the limited color palette and gritty pixel art create a unique and deeply atmospheric world that is instantly absorbing. The gameplay loop is challenging, mixing strategic choices with satisfying combat moments that feel rewarding after every victory. If you are looking for a game with a strong sense of atmosphere and rewarding difficulty, Death Howl delivers a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Coming soon to Xbox Game Pass: Mortal Kombat 1, Death Howl, Dome Keeper, Routine, and more! news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/1...
neutral · AI labelView post →I know everyone is playing Mewgenics or Slay the Spire 2 at the moment so it’s a tough time for deckbuilder recommendations, but do either of those games have vibes like this? https://youtu.be/MBWdhd9qiXw In Death Howl, you play as Ro, a hunter who has entered the ethereal spirit realm to bring back her dead son, Olvi. The spirit realm is divided into regions and once you’ve battled your way through the opening area (which also serves as the demo) you’re free to tackle the world in any order…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Absolutely amazing game on all fronts. Unique concept executed to near perfection, compelling story and environments, and extremely interesting and engaging gameplay. I'd say i'm around 3/4 through and i'm already planning out different builds for a second run through. The only points of frustration I would say are: - It's likely intentional, but no way to heal without consuming all death-howls. I get it encourages crafting cards, and if there were extremely high death howl costs I would…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Rich Deckbuilding Potential Behind A Frustrating Curve. I remember playing the demo of this game back in February 2025, and I specifically remember that Death Howl proudly advertises itself as a "souls-like deck builder." Of course there is no stamina management and i-frame dodge since it's a turn-based game similar to Into The Breach, but the punishing difficulty, grim dark theme, and the vibe of "slowly getting stronger" successfully emulate the feeling of playing a "souls-like." Besides the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Death Howl might just be my favorite game to screenshot in 2025 The melancholic vibes and limited color palette are *chef's kiss*
positive · AI labelView post →niche but Death Howl is a very nice game if you like a deckbuilder. probably tuned a hair too easy but there’s easily 25 hours of really engaging gameplay and the realm mechanic means you don’t spend very much time feeling like you’ve solved it
neutral · AI labelView post →It's like being forced to redo all your progression every section. It's impossible to keep your builds across the realms. It feels bad. If you want to push on you have to grind the same enemies over and over. Yes that refreshes the gameplay but drastically lowers the enjoyment knowing your build will be useless later. Some realms might not even support your playstyle. I'm okay with difficulty, I like that the game is hard but absolutely destroying your builds every time sucks.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game Pass Games Wave 2 February 2026 2.17 -Aerial_Knight’s DropShot -Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora 2.19 -Death Howl -EA Sports College Football 26 -The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt CE 2.24 -TCG Card Shop Simulator 2.25 -Dice A Million 2.26 -Towerborne 3.3 -Final Fantasy 3 -Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
neutral · AI labelView post →Wow, what a surprise last minute hit for 2025! It was about time someone questioned the marriage of deck builders and rogue-likes. It's been too unfairly long since Gwent: Thronebreaker. Now I *love* games like Balatro and Slay the Spire, but especially with the latter the limitations of this fusion become apparent. Roguelikes just don't allow for situational cards! In a game like that, every card must justify it's inclusion in your repertoire, and you only get so many new cards as you go.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →At first I thought there was no way a game could cleanly combine the combat of Into the Breach with the deck building satisfaction of Slay the Spire. But here I am completely absorbed by this game! The gameplay is incredible, the music and sound design are top notch, the art is beautiful, the combats are varied, the atmosphere is engaging. Truly just a homerun on all fronts. I can't recommend this game enough if it looks even slightly appealing. At least try the free demo so you can see for…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"[...] make no mistake, this is a game for deckbuilding sickos. If you love polishing, testing and perfecting your deck composition, you’ll find a rich landscape of proving grounds in Death Howl." Read @aspecificegg.bsky.social's full review of Death Howl: nosmallgames.com/2025/12/deat...
neutral · AI labelView post →The game it reminds me the most of is Black Book actually. A personal story of a woman tied to a mythological world, told through turn-based deckbuilder combat. Death Howl has less story and is more challenging — I had a blast figuring out some enemies — but it's even similar in its unusual drive to force the player to change the deck by unlocking new region-based themes. People call it a "turn-based soulslike" which is strange, but yes, it does have a checkpoint system that makes all…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Wow... What a game... Death Howl was a very unique experience for me. I played the demo and I remember not feeling attached to the game but the story. My need to understand and learn the story was what initially pushed me to buy Death Howl and I do not regret it one bit. Although Death Howl's deckbuilding style took me a while to get a hang of, by the time I was a few hours in, I was already enjoying myself and when I wasn't playing, I was looking forward to the next time I would be able to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game Pass December 2025: 12.4: -Routine 12.9: -A Game About Digging A Hole -Death Howl -Dome Keeper 12.10: -Mortal Kombat 1 12.11: -Bratz: Rhythm & Style Premium 12.3-4: -Indiana Jones and the Great Circle -33 Immortals -Spray Paint Simulator -Monster Train 2 news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/1...
neutral · AI labelView post →Turn-based card game Death Howl officially announced. Wishlist here: store.steampowered.com/app/2825880 #indiegame #steam #turnbased #pixelart #indiegames
neutral · AI labelView post →6/10. The game has a few issues. The main things I really enjoyed about the game was the setting, artstyle, and gameplay are all in my opinion really good. But what really kills any enjoyment I have for this game is its grind. When you reach a new area all your cards outside of the static set become more expensive. I understand this is to encourage you to use new cards unlocked in that area but they do not give you enough cards to start that deck. The new areas are not really balanced around…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is an incredibly amazing game. Although some players complain about the grind, I personally think this high-skill-ceiling deckbuilder is absolutely brilliant. You can clearly feel how unlocking different cards at various stages reshapes Ro’s combat strategy on the exact same map. Even with the same deck, combining it with different Totems opens up so many tactical possibilities. It's fantastic. HOWEVER!!!! I BEG OF YOU!!! PLEASE!!! Do something about the Aurora Stone in Chapter 2!!!…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Death Howl. Anybody even mildly interested in deck building has here a strong title to play around with tons of cards and just go crazy. It does take a bit to get going as you first have to build a card pool, but I would urge you to stick through the opening and then drive those decks till the end as this game is well worth it. The game is full of high-dopamine moments as you figure out your way out of a corner, chain a combo to wipe the entire board, or…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Played it all weekend, finished, and love it. Super great experience, just a good deckbuilding game. Wish there where more, will look forward to your next game. ♥
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I loved this game from start to finish and as a mom to two little boys I feel like I really need to write a review, since I was so moved by the story. It's a beautiful game. To play as well as just to look at. The color schemes for all the different locations are greatly chosen and add a lot of atmosphere, the music works great. I love deckbuilders and this one feels so natural to play. All the cards are perfectly designed to work well together differently for different strategies and it’s so…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Keeping it a more low-key this week with demos from upcoming #indiegames ~ Death Howl by @11bitstudios.bsky.social Spirit Swap by @softnotweak.bsky.social Keep Driving by @ycjygames.bsky.social Beyond these, we might also try some entries from itch.io! See you there at twitch.tv/galmuth
neutral · AI labelView post →Death Howl brought me back to my fondest memories with Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice way back in 2017, especially with its supernatural fantasy vibes, its dark ambient soundtrack, and the familiar setup of a woman descending into the underworld to retrieve the soul of her loved one. The tension of scraping through several encounters in a row, choosing the right cards to put yourself in the best possible situation, and then cashing in all your death howls at the end is a very compelling gameplay…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Death Howl (PS5) is $26.93 on Amazon amzn.to/4dijqfC Walmart buff.ly/jQtKtO7 #ad (Steam) $11.85 Gamebillet buff.ly/ljznSji also on Game Pass Premium
neutral · AI labelView post →There is alot to like about this game. The art style and atmosphere are amazing and the music is great too. But when it comes to the actual gameplay I don‘t like it at all. Coming from Slay the Spire I thought this was a no brainer. Turns out I was wrong. The game is not like StS at all but more like Magic The Gathering deckbuilding with grid-based movement where you can build multiple decks with different synergies beforehand. Nothing wrong with that but here‘s what ruined the game for me.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I loved reviewing Death Howl! Really appreciate how much it rewards the player for exploring and spending time in its world. Congrats to @11bitstudios.bsky.social for such an awesome game.
positive · AI labelView post →Joseph Moran (@mrbadbit.bsky.social) joins us to talk through all the big TGA game announcements, Terminator 2D: No Fate, Death Howl, and more!
neutral · AI labelView post →Started as a blast with a fun discard deck with quick pacing and short but deadly combats. Second region is just forcing you to play a block build by increasing cost of all non-region cards. All monsters in this region either regenerate or resurrect other monsters... Just unfun
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Slay the Spire (+ Runic Dome) difficulty coupled with Into the Breach's movement & puzzle-esque gameplay makes this a treat to play. Learning the enemy's moveset and tuning your deck to counter them is tough but fair. Each biome's card set and terrain modifiers seem to promote different "archetypes", giving different challenges to overcome without making it seem too repetitive. EDIT: I highly doubt this is a 25-hour game. I would recommend taking your time reading all the cards, exploring…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I have only completed my first session of playing the game but I love it already. Hard but fair, so many cool cards and deck archetypes to explore already, LOVE the vibes and atmosphere as well as the story so far. BUY!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was absolutely blown away by the gameplay, art direction, stpoory writing, and symbolism that this game is DROWNED in. I need to be clear: I HATE DECK BUILDERS. Fucking hate them. BUT!- This is without a doubt the exception to that for me. Every area brought something new. The quests left me shocked emotionally. It took me 52 Hours to 100% this game. All that, for like 20 bucks? You'd be an idiot not to give it a go.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I bought this game because I wanted to find a Deckbuilder with a solo adventure as I dont enjoy roguelikes much. This game has everything I was looking for gameplay wise, but even more. It is hard, but in a good way. The feeling of becoming stronger is there all along the game. You become stronger by getting perks and passive buffs linked to your character. You get stronger by getting new cards to make better synergies. You get better by knowing more of ennemies behaviour. Basic ennemies that…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Death Howl (PS5) is $25.58 on Amazon amzn.to/4dijqfC Walmart buff.ly/jQtKtO7 #ad (Steam) $12.79 Fanatical buff.ly/NVX2hRr also on Game Pass Premium
neutral · AI labelView post →Dark fantasy deckbuilding game with grid-based combat 'Death Howl' launches on December 9. Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/2825880 #indiegames #steam #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →Quite simply a masterpiece of a game. I'm a big into turn based strategy - Darkest Dungeon, XCom, Into the Breach, Slay the Spite etc. This is absolutely up there with the greats. Combat and deck building mechanics are deep and satisfying. There is huge potential for build variety (which the game design will encourage naturally). Art style is beautiful in its simplicity and the story is powerful. The only criticism I had was that the game was a little on the easier side, however, Outer Zone…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →really tried to like it, but the game is in urgent need for balancing + great art direction + lovely sound design - the balance is really weird, it feels like every counter is designed by someone different without communication - every map is unique visually, but it doesn't do enough to entice you to explore it, you nearly "finish" a map without knowing you finished it the idea is there, but it feels it hadn't been tested enough
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Death Howl has something very rare: an impressive level of cohesion. The atmosphere, the backgrounds, the music, the card art, the story, the combat, EVERYTHING ties together SO well. The entire game is one beautiful piece of art. The combat is very polished and keeps things fresh and engaging. It doesn't get repetitive due to the smart way it handles deck building. Each region starts with weak cards so you can handle the easiest battles. It gives you full control of your deck to swap cards as…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My personal GOTY (and I've finished Clair Obscur!). Apart from being an amazing combination of a deckbuiler and tactics game, this is just a remarkable artistic achievement that has left a mark on me like no other title this year and very few ever.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A Dark Forest Walk You’re Not Quite Ready For (But You’ll Go Anyway) Death Howl sits in that strange place between peaceful and punishing. It’s a game that looks dark and eerie on the surface, yet somehow still feels gentle. The music hums like a ritual drum calling you into a circle rather than scaring you away, and the pixel world has this quiet, witchy pull that’s hard to ignore. You play Ro, a grieving mother who steps into the Spirit World to bring her son back. It’s a soulslike…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Death Howl is releasing soon, and they sent me some *beautiful* custom playing cards and a cute sticker pack. Thanks @11bitstudios.bsky.social!
positive · AI labelView post →Do visual novels count? It matters a lot, bc if not, the last game I played was Death Howl, set in a surreal & primeval spirit world full of terrifying nightmare beasts. If VNs count, I get to live in a rockabilly-themed alternate Los Angeles full of classic cars & hot guys.
neutral · AI labelView post →Death Howl (PS5) is $21.87 on Amazon amzn.to/4dijqfC Walmart buff.ly/jQtKtO7 #ad (Steam) $11.84 Gamebillet buff.ly/ljznSji also on Game Pass Premium
neutral · AI labelView post →I was hyped for this game for months and am so excited to support the developers and teams that make interesting games with story's that hit home. This game adds difficulty and the need for Slay the Spire levels of planning every turn. This game leans into passives and active builds to progress through enemies. Letting you have several decks for any situation. It also encourages the player to farm enemies and explore every region to level and obtain as many cards as possible. I think it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Btw, share a nifty indie game I've been trying out on my Steam Deck? It's called Death Howl, a moody deckbuilding game set in ancient Scandinavia, about a witch (shaman?) who ventures into the afterlife on an Orphic quest to retrieve her son.
positive · AI labelView post →
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