Return to the Paperverse: HELLCARD II Unveils Dark New Adventure and Deep RPG Overhaul in Latest Trailer Reveal

Publisher Skystone Games and Developer Thing Trunk give a first look at the "Blackmail Manor" chapter, debuting equipable gear and character stats for the highly anticipated co-op deckbuilding sequel.

SAN FRANCISCO – June 6, 2026 – Publisher Skystone Games and independent developer Thing Trunk today released an extensive new gameplay trailer for HELLCARD II, the sequel to the critically acclaimed co-op deckbuilding roguelite. The trailer offers a first look at an ominous new adventure, "Blackmail Manor," and pulls back the curtain on the game's heavily expanded RPG mechanics, including a brand-new persistent gear system and character attribute scaling.


Scheduled to launch on PC (Steam) and consoles in Q3 2026, HELLCARD II shifts the paradigm of the original game. Rather than clearing linear dungeons, players now step into a living, breathing, pop-up book adventure where cooperative choices directly impact the narrative flow and paths available across every page.
 

HELLCARD II Blackmail Manor
Trailer

Trailer Breakdown
This new trailer highlights how HELLCARD II preserves its beloved core combat while expanding the franchise's unique "Paperverse" aesthetic into highly detailed, multi-level environments - think of them like “modules” in your favorite tabletop RPG!

 

• Welcome to Blackmail Manor: The trailer showcases a sprawling new chapter set within an opulent, gothic paper estate. Tasked with infiltrating the Manor and teaching a rebellious lord a lesson, players must navigate traps, unravel puzzles, and make joint decisions to open new story paths.
• Tactical Spatial Combat: Footage highlights the return of the franchise's hallmark spatial mechanics. Players must strictly monitor whether monsters are in melee or ranged positions and split enemy aggro to survive devastating tactical situations.

A Living Storybook Experience
"With the original HELLCARD, we focused on tactical positioning and emergent synergies," said Konstanty Kalicki at Thing Trunk. "With HELLCARD II, we refined that and added our take on classic tabletop RPG mechanics. Characters can be shaped to fit a playstyle with stats and equipment that persist across runs. With the whole new quest system, the story actively evolves alongside your party’s successes and failures."


Table Top RPG Mechanics
The RPG Stat Overhaul: For the first time, characters are shaped by core attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Constitution, and Wisdom. Players can upgrade these stats between card rewards to directly scale card damage, boost defensive capabilities, or gain bonus mana.


Persistent Loot & Equipment: HELLCARD II introduces equipable gear earned through achievements. This gear doesn't just change a hero's physical aesthetic; it actively alters deck composition, core passive buffs, baseline stats, and even adds new mechanics.


Key Game Features
 

Feature Description

 

• Four-Player Co-Op Fellowship Team up with up to three friends in seamless multiplayer battles to create devastating card synergies.
• The Ultimate Single-Player Sandbox Play as a lone wolf with full tactical command over an entire party’s deck strategies.
• Stat-Driven Narrative Choices Party attributes dictate how events unfold. Players might need high Strength to force open doors or high Intelligence to figure out arcane contraptions within the Blackmail Manor.
• The Dragon Menace Fight hordes of distinct paper enemies culminating in colossal dragon encounters.

Availability and Wishlist: 

HELLCARD II is currently in development and is slated for a Q3 2026 launch on PC and consoles. Fans can officially wishlist the game today on the HELLCARD II Steam Page.


About Thing Trunk
Thing Trunk is an independent game developer dedicated to recapturing the magic of the greatest PC gaming hits with a modern twist. Known for the Return 2 Games series, they strive to create accessible yet deep experiences for players worldwide.


About Skystone Games
Skystone Games is a global video game publisher founded by Diablo creator David Brevik and veteran Bill Wang. With a passion for bold ideas and breakout talent, Skystone supports unique projects like Mistfall Hunter, Tiny Bookshop, Crystal of Atlan, HELLCARD, ACECRAFT, and more.