From Thedas to The Occult: ‘Malys’ Deckbuilder Secures Full 1.0 Launch Date

In a powerful statement of resilience following an unsuccessful crowdfunding attempt, Summerfall Studios has announced the official 1.0 release date for their unholy roguelite deckbuilder, Malys. The game, which has been available in Early Access since June, will shed its pre-release status and launch in full on October 24, 2025.

This news is particularly significant for fans of deep, narrative-driven RPGs, as Summerfall Studios was co-founded by David Gaider, the former lead writer and creative force behind BioWare’s critically acclaimed Dragon Age series. The full release promises to deliver a uniquely dark, story-focused take on the popular deckbuilder game genre, a departure from the studio’s previous, musical-focused title, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical.

Noah’s Unholy Hunt: Core Gameplay and Story

Malys casts players as Noah, a former priest whose life has been irrevocably altered, turning him into a relentless demon-hunter operating in a corrupted, neon-noir city. The core gameplay loop blends the strategic depth of card games with the punishing, high-stakes nature of the roguelite genre.

The battles are structured as harrowing exorcisms, requiring careful use of an ever-evolving deck of arcane tricks and tactical resource management. A key feature of the combat is the need to burn cards to generate Candlelight, a resource vital for playing other, more powerful cards. This mechanic adds a layer of high-stakes decision-making: sacrifice a future opportunity for immediate power, or hold onto a resource for a greater payoff.

• Dual-Life Setting: Players navigate a festering city teeming with corruption and supernatural threats.
• Exorcism Combat: Each encounter is an intense, narrative-heavy card battle focused on exposing the demon’s true name and expelling the evil entity from its host.
• Deck Customization: Runs demand players to forge precarious alliances and constantly strengthen their deck with new cards and powerful Curios and Artifacts.

The game’s atmosphere has been consistently praised by Early Access players, with its gothic horror aesthetic drawing comparisons to the noir mood of the Constantine film and the strategic depth of games like Slay the Spire. The integration of the narrative directly into the card mechanics—with the protagonist, Noah, appealing to the possessed victim during combat—offers a refreshing and cohesive experience that pushes the roguelite storytelling boundary.

1.0: New Features and Content Reveal

The jump to Version 1.0 will not just be a matter of polish; Summerfall Studios has confirmed a significant injection of new content and features that fully realize their initial vision for the game. The key additions for the full release include:

• A Fully Playable Story: The complete narrative of Noah’s hunt for the powerful demon Malys will be concluded, offering a satisfying story arc that ties together the city’s corruption and Noah’s past.
• New Regions and Final Boss: The final version will include all three planned regions of the corrupted city and the long-awaited confrontation with the final boss fight against the elusive Malys.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Crucial updates such as cloud saves and a full-scale music update across the game will be implemented, enhancing the overall player experience and making the game a more appealing choice for those who were waiting for a stable, feature-complete version.

The developers have noted that the price of Malys will see an increase after the Early Access period concludes, making the current price an investment opportunity for keen deckbuilder enthusiasts looking to save on the full premium game. The October 24th launch solidifies the game’s place as one of the most intriguing strategy game releases of the late autumn, proving that a strong creative vision, backed by industry veterans like Gaider, can triumph over initial funding setbacks.