Negotiations are disconnected in a way that turns every interaction into a simple binary of success or failure. Compared with something like Signs of the Sojourner, which much more cleverly uses its mechanics to shape and fuel character interactions, Griftlands feels a little awkward. I really felt like I was juggling a lot of plates, in the best way-the pressure always on to make the most of each turn.Īs an abstraction, it's captivating-but Griftlands never quite bridges the space between the actual dialogue and the card game in which debates take place.

You're constantly looking to chip away at your enemy’s smaller points, while piling damage onto their core argument. There, your cards are used for building arguments against your opponent. The negotiations are far more interesting. Battles are turn-based affairs where you draw cards for attacks and abilities, and can earn or hire party members. There are two modes of play: battles and negotiations.

Sharp writing elevates almost every NPC into someone memorable (Image credit: Klei Entertainment)

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