At the 2026 Pégases ceremony in Paris, French indie studio Atelier QDB unveiled TOKENS, a roguelike deckbuilder that flips the genre’s usual formula by swapping card hands for double-sided tokens. The announcement came with immediate hands-on access, too, since a TOKENS demo is live on Steam ahead of a planned Q3 2026 release window.
What is Tokens?
TOKENS drops the usual hand of cards. Instead, you build a pool of double-sided tokens. Each token has a color and two faces. Those faces show numbers or symbols. You place tokens on the table to score points. Then you chase higher targets as the run ramps up.
That setup changes how you plan turns. You read the board, not a hand. You also weigh risk with every placement. One flip can unlock a chain. Another flip can kill your momentum.
Score Targets Drive Each Run
TOKENS focuses on hitting score requirements, round after round. Each run mixes in new conditions and modifiers. Your build has to adapt fast. Boss fights arrive at a steady pace, too. The game uses them to stress-test your strategy. If your scoring engine feels shaky, the boss will show it.
The game also teases big reaction moments. It calls these Harmonies. They trigger when you line up the right patterns. A single Harmony can turn a safe turn into a blowout.
Arcanas and Effigies Shape Your Build
Atelier QDB layers upgrades on top of the token system. Arcanas act like tarot-style powers. They reward specific scoring goals and play patterns. Effigies work as magical miniatures with strong effects. They can also tweak rules to open new combo lines.
That mix should push variety from run to run. Some builds will chase consistency. Others will hunt huge spikes. Either way, the game wants you to steer the chaos.
A Roaring Twenties Fantasy Setting and A Dealer with a Trick
TOKENS takes place in a fantasy world inspired by roaring twenties-era clubs. You play as an ambitious hopeful. Your goal is entry into the secretive Token Club. Mister Mirage runs the table as the club’s dealer. He also brings a signature tool. The Golden Coin can change outcomes when luck turns.
Release Window, Platforms, and Languages
Atelier QDB plans to release TOKENS on Steam in Q3 2026. The studio also lists support for 10 interface languages. That includes English, French, German, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese options. If you like deckbuilders with fresh rules, try the TOKENS demo.
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