September 22, 2025 | Indie developer k-Critical, whose members previously created on Life Goes On, is excited to announce that Command Deck, a sci-fi roguelike deckbuilder, is launching into Steam Early Access this week on September 24, 2025. Game keys are available now.
Command your ship. Build your deck. Survive the Outer Reaches. In Command Deck, players take command of the starship Peregrine on an exploration mission into the Outer Reaches, a remote frontier. They will face a hostile civilization that has a secret to keep. Every action is controlled through a deck of cards: raise shields, send fire-starting missiles, or use powerful lasers to take down enemy ships. Careful choices and strategic thinking are the only way to survive and uncover their enemies’ secrets.
"We wanted to capture the feeling of 1970s sci-fi novel covers," says Erik Johnson, the team’s lead game designer. "Growing up, my family's shelves were filled with those books, and that imagery became a big part of my childhood. The art of John Berkey, Boris Vallejo, and Vincent Di Fate were especially influential."
Key Features:
- Face enemies who fight with their own decks
Just like the player, enemies command their ships through cards, creating tense battles where strategic planning is crucial. Players can also turn their enemies’ tricks against them by disrupting their decks and stealing their cards. - Endless replayability in the Outer Reaches
Every visit to the Outer Reaches is unique, with different map events, enemies, and rewards. Players must adapt to an unpredictable frontier where danger and opportunity are constantly in flux. - Build a powerful ship
Recruit officers, upgrade ship systems, and discover powerful deck synergies to withstand the escalating challenges in the Outer Reaches. - Uncover a galactic mystery
A hostile civilization guards an ancient, powerful artifact. Can players uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Command Deck will be available on Steam starting September 24, 2025. Early Access allows players to experience the full game and contribute feedback that will help shape its ongoing development. Follow Command Deck on Bluesky or join the official Discord to stay updated. Can you survive the Outer Reaches?
Keys are available via PressEngine: https://requestkey.net/yeyafv
Steam link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3084740/Command_Deck/
Trailer: https://youtu.be/aCHjJ1SNQ80
Website: https://k-critical.com/commanddeck
Press Contact
Erik Johnson, press@k-critical.com
About the Developer
k-critical is a three-person indie team based in Edmonton, Canada. They are passionate about making games that are fun, strategic, and a little unexpected. The team previously worked on the puzzle-platformer Life Goes On (2014). Command Deck is k-Critical's first release.