Bologna, Italy - January 13, 2025 - 58BLADES and Human Qube Games are excited to announce that Handmancers will host an open Steam playtest starting January 20, with opt-ins available immediately today.
Handmancers is a first-person Rock, Paper, Scissors roguelite deckbuilder, where every encounter is a tactical mind game and every run is built around shaping your hand into something devastating. Beneath the simple ruleset is a deep customization layer: Gems reshape Signs with new effects, while Artifacts unlock synergies that can radically change how fights unfold. It’s not just about picking the right Sign, it’s about building the perfect hand to outsmart and overpower whatever waits ahead.
Opt In for the playtest on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2423290/Handmancers/
Watch the Official Playtest Trailer: https://youtu.be/7aZZs1pmx0U
The Handmancers Open Playtest is a substantial slice of the full game built to showcase the complete experience. Players will be able to dive into runs featuring multiple heroes, the game’s full suite of core mechanics, and a meta-progression layer that carries forward as you experiment, learn, and push deeper into the game.
The playtest also includes in-game localization, letting players experience Handmancers with its available translations as development continues toward launch.
Key Features-
Rock, Paper, Scissor Combat. Simple rules, where each Sign counters another, forming the core of every encounter and shaping all deck and strategy decisions
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First Person Deckbuilder Roguelike. Experience the tactical depth of a deckbuilder as a duelist, not a person slamming cards on the table
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Customize Your Hand. Each card can have up to three modifiers. Combine it right and turn your gestures into nukes
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Play in Style. Pick your faction and solidify your play style: deliver heavy damage with Scissors, play defensively with Rock or stuck buffs with Paper
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Reach Into Corruption. Corruption disrupts the game, bringing the fourth unbeatable element to the table. This power comes with a hefty price though
About 58BLADES:
58BLADES is an Italy-based cooperative game development studio dedicated to empowering its designer and developer members to create unconventional games for PC and console. The studio prioritizes high standards in work-life balance, creative freedom, and production quality. 58BLADES has been recognized with numerous Italian and European awards and grants, including Creative Europe MEDIA 2025. https://www.58blades.com/
About Human Qube Games:
Human Qube Games, a newly established publishing agency for indie gems. The team has worked on titles like Megaloot, Aksun, My Little Life, Heretic’s Fork, Bus: Bro U Survived and more. Human Qube also hosts events such as the Bullet Heaven Festival, No Time To Loot and Metroidvania Fusion on Steam, celebrating the best of the genre and bringing hidden gems into the spotlight. https://steamcommunity.com/groups/humanqube