Thing Trunk and Skystone Games open the co-op roguelike deckbuilder’s Steam Playtest to players everywhere — request access now on Steam. PC only.
SAN FRANCISCO — August 19, 2026 — Skystone Games and developer Thing Trunk today opened the HELLCARD II Steam Playtest to the public. Starting now, players can request access on Steam to jump into the cooperative roguelike deckbuilder ahead of its upcoming launch — solo or with a team of up to four.
How to join
The playtest is available now on PC via Steam. To take part, visit the HELLCARD II Steam page and request access to the Steam Playtest. Participants are admitted in waves, and once you’re in you can invite friends to join your party.
About the game
HELLCARD II is a cooperative roguelike deckbuilder for one to four players, set in the paper-dungeon world of HELLCARD and Book of Demons and expanded with new biomes and storylines. Descend on your own or with friends into fast, tactical card battles against hordes of evil — and dragons. Lots of dragons.
What’s new in HELLCARD II
- Gear that isn’t just for show — a new persistent equipment layer sits on top of the deckbuilding. Unlock gear that reshapes your hero’s look while changing your deck, stats, and buffs, so you can play your way from the very start.
- Position is everything — HELLCARD II’s signature twist is that enemy placement matters. Monsters sit at melee or ranged distances and are split among your heroes. Positioning is crucial for landing the biggest combos.
- Solo or four-player co-op — co-op with up to four heroes against the dragon threat, or play solo and command the entire party yourself: a lone wolf with the power of a full team.
- A story that unfolds as you play — every run is a different tale, with variations both subtle and striking. Gear up, rally your friends, and defend the realm to uncover the truth behind the dragon menace.
Quotes
“HELLCARD struck a chord with deckbuilder fans, and HELLCARD II ups the ante on it all – visuals, storytelling, combat, RPG elements. We can’t wait for players to get their hands on the playtest and help shape the game ahead of launch,” said David Brevik, Skystone Games.
“Games exist to be fun, which is why we’re thrilled to launch this large beta playtest. We rely on the community’s feedback to show us what we got right, and what still needs some love,” said Konstanty Kalicki, Thing Trunk.
Playtest details
- Platform: PC (Steam) only
- Access: Request the Steam Playtest on the HELLCARD II store page; players admitted in waves, with invite-a-friend support
- Price: Free to participate
- Modes: Single-player and online co-op for up to four players
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About Thing Trunk
Thing Trunk is an independent studio and the creator of the Return 2 Games series — mid-core games inspired by the golden age of PC gaming, reimagined for a modern audience — including Book of Demons and HELLCARD.
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.
