Most roguelike deckbuilders end when you've finished your climb and beat the final boss. Ad Reditus is a Slay the Spire style deckbuilder with one structural (and narrative) twist: the run is a roundtrip.

The player's forward run is through 5 distinct stages and enemy factions. At the end of the pilgrim's road, you make one choice about the artifact you have been carrying, and that choice rebuilds your deck, synergies, and more for the road back. 

**Play for free here:** [**Ad Reditus on itch**](https://domusromuli.itch.io/ad-reditus?utm_source=r_deckbuildingroguelike&utm_medium=reddit&utm_campaign=itch-launch-2026-07)

Mechanically, it is in the Slay the Spire family: energy, block, intents, relics (here they are Sacraments, and some fuse when you carry both halves). The parts I'm most proud of are some of the more unique mechanics to the game: a companion who pays card costs from their own HP and can die for you, Covenant Powers you charge together, faction synergies that make setting up turns have real payoff, and much more.

The playtest build includes: 2 factions, 7 of 10 stages, 200+ cards, 80+ sacraments, and takes about an hour per run, with save and quit available.   
  
It plays in your browser and I would love to hear feedback on balance, mechanics, and anything else! 

Ad Reditus, my hand-drawn 'roundtrip' roguelike deckbuilder inspired by StS gameplay and Tolkien lore, went live (for free) this morning on itch. I'd love your feedback!