KONAMI is taking a different approach to the roguelike genre with PROJECT ZIRCON, a new deck-building strategy game where players aren’t just fighting to survive. They’ll also be responsible for keeping an entire nation from falling apart.
Revealed today, PROJECT ZIRCON puts players in the role of a ruler attempting to guide their nation through a growing global crisis following the return of the legendary Calamity Dragon of the Abyss. With the world gripped by fear, players will have to make difficult decisions, build an adaptable deck and deal with the consequences of their choices as they work toward an eventual confrontation with the catastrophic dragon.
Rather than following a fixed path, PROJECT ZIRCON is designed around the idea that every playthrough can unfold differently. The cards players acquire, the strategies they employ and the decisions they make can all influence how their story develops, potentially opening up new events, paths and endings along the way.
That makes the deck-building mechanics about more than simply putting together an increasingly powerful collection of cards. Players will need to adapt to circumstances as they arise, reacting to unexpected events while trying to determine which decisions will benefit their nation in the long run.
The game alternates between Strategy and Administration phases, giving players different opportunities to shape the future of their nation. Strengthening the country and responding to immediate threats will be essential, but focusing too heavily on one problem could create bigger issues further down the road.
And with the Calamity Dragon waiting at the end of the road, there is presumably only so much room for mistakes.
KONAMI says the choices made during each run can dramatically alter the course of events, with multiple possible endings available depending on the player’s actions. That branching structure should give players plenty of incentive to experiment, particularly for those who enjoy roguelikes that encourage them to keep coming back and trying different approaches.
The concept also gives PROJECT ZIRCON an interesting twist on the increasingly crowded deck-building genre. Instead of simply battling enemies and chasing better card combinations, players are effectively trying to manage an entire nation while dealing with the unpredictable nature of a roguelike campaign.
One run could see a ruler prioritizing military strength and immediate survival, while another might take a more measured approach focused on developing the nation and preparing for threats further ahead. The decisions made along the way could ultimately determine which version of the story players experience.
KONAMI has not announced a release date for PROJECT ZIRCON yet, but Steam wishlist registration is now open for those interested in keeping tabs on the game.
With its combination of deck-building, strategy, nation management and branching storytelling, PROJECT ZIRCON could be an interesting one to watch. The world may be preparing for the return of a legendary dragon, but players will have plenty of problems to deal with before they even get the chance to face it.