Games Like Inscryption
Slay the Spire is the deck-building run. Balatro is the poker-scoring run. Pony Island and The Hex are the same developer’s earlier games, and the story of Inscryption actually nods at them. Cultist Simulator and Monster Train come up in the same conversations for different reasons: tables of cards, or lanes of bodies. I am not scoring them against each other.
Pick by the itch
If the cabin’s sacrifice rule is what you liked, you will not find it in Balatro. If the “one more hand” loop is what you liked, Balatro is the closer cousin and the horror is not. If you want the meta story, stop browsing roguelikes and play Pony Island, then The Hex. Pony Island 2 is a 2027 release, not a substitute you can install today.
Platform filters: all of the names above have PC editions. Console overlap changes by title and I am not going to fake a matrix from memory. Check the store page for the one you pick.
Compare by play style
Filter these editorial suggestions by the feature you want to play next. PC editions are available; consult each game’s store for other platforms.
6 rows
| Game | Mood | Mechanics | Platform covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slay the Spire | Fantasy | Combat deck-building runs | PC |
| Balatro | Abstract | Poker-scoring runs | PC |
| Pony Island | Horror / meta story | Puzzle adventure | PC |
| The Hex | Mystery / meta story | Genre-shifting adventure | PC |
| Cultist Simulator | Occult | Card-driven narrative | PC |
| Monster Train | Fantasy | Lane-based deck-building runs | PC |
FAQ
What is closer, Balatro or Slay the Spire?
Slay the Spire is closer to a combat deck. Balatro is closer to a scoring loop. Inscryption’s cabin is closer to the first, plus puzzles.
What other games did the developer make?
Pony Island and The Hex, before this one. Pony Island 2 is scheduled for 27 Apr 2027.
Related
Sources
- Wikipedia: Inscryption — checked 2026-11-04
- Steam store page for Inscryption (app 1092790) — checked 2026-11-04
- Official Inscryption site — checked 2026-11-04