Dwarven Skykeep

Dwarven Skykeep is a card-based tower-building game set in a magical world. You play as the wizard Dr. Sevendar Kness, choosing tool, spell and weapon cards before each level to build enchanted castles, then directing dwarves and gnomes as you develop and defend them. Its main story follows Kness on a mysterious mission in Dwarven City, with side quests from its characters and opportunities to specialize your equipment.

Build and defend

Use your cards to construct towers and build workbenches, forges, alchemy laboratories and defenses. Your helpers can build, repair and upgrade rooms, craft tools, put out fires and fight enemies; they need constant access to beer. You must also protect your tower from enemy spawns and envious wizards, while dealing with hazards such as fires, floods and lightning strikes.

Five distinct worlds

Each of the five worlds has its own mechanics and challenges. In the Winter World, you heat your tower; in a desert, you drive a train; with the “Levitron,” you keep your tower airborne; and in the Shadow World, you try to return the eaten sun. Levels bring a range of obstacles, and the landscape affects how you adapt your approach.

Characters and enemies

The cast includes the goblin inventor Ghyrka Yo, who wants to destroy your tower; the bad-tempered Snow Queen, who freezes everything in sight; and cunning thieves who try to steal your cards. You also meet Gypsy Witch Irinia, an old friend of Sevendar’s, as well as monsters, bosses and other characters.

Cards and discoveries

You earn a fresh pack of cards each time you play. The game also hides tributes to films, novels and other games: you can meet Genkins the Paladin, who loves his chicken, help the predestined hero Lightstar find Excalibur, and discover a desert worm named Shah-e-khulud.