Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven is the digital adaptation of Isaac Childres' board game of the same name. The tactical RPG combines turn-based combat, deckbuilding-style resource management and a branching dark fantasy campaign.

Players lead a group of two to four mercenaries. 17 playable characters have their own abilities and together more than 1,000 different actions, so party composition and card combinations form the core of the strategy.

The PC version launched in Early Access on July 17, 2019 and reached full release on October 20, 2021. Native console versions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S followed on September 18, 2023.

The Nintendo Switch version runs on Switch 2 via compatibility; no native Switch 2 version is derived from it.

Gloomhaven was released natively for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. Twin Sails also offers PC availability via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG and Humble.

The console releases remain separate native generations. Nintendo lists the Switch version as compatible with Switch 2, but not as a standalone Switch 2 edition.

Each round, players choose two ability cards for each mercenary. The turn is made from the upper half of one card and the lower half of the other. Powerful actions can permanently use up cards, so your own deck is both action supply and stamina resource.

Positioning on hex tiles, initiative, enemy behaviour, equipment and group synergies determine the tactical flow. Characters level up, gain perks and new equipment, and can improve their abilities over the course of a campaign.

Jaws of the Lion adds 25 new scenarios, four additional mercenaries, new enemies, bosses, events and items to Gloomhaven. The expansion was released on May 17, 2022, and can be played alone or in co-op.

The new campaign becomes accessible within the Gloomhaven storyline after the second scenario. The four mercenaries – Red Guard, Hatchet, Demolitionist and Voidwarden – as well as their equipment can also be used in the original campaign and in Guildmaster mode. In online co-op, all participating players must own the expansion. The DLC requires the base game and is not a standalone release.

Solo Scenarios: Mercenary Challenges followed on September 22, 2022, with 17 challenges tailored specifically to the original mercenaries and individual rewards. Both expansions are permanently part of the digital Gloomhaven version.

For Windows, Steam lists at least Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-3470 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 8 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 760 or Radeon R9 280, DirectX 11 and 14 GB of free storage. Recommended are a Core i5-11400 or Ryzen 5 3600, 16 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 64.

The board game campaign includes 95 story missions with branching choices. The digital version also contains the Guildmaster adventure, developed with the community during Early Access, with more than 160 exclusive missions, its own storylines, maps and NPCs.

The campaigns can be played alone or in online co-op for up to four players. On Steam, Gloomhaven also supports Steam Workshop, cloud saves and an integrated level editor. This gives the PC version, alongside the official campaign, a lasting modding and community platform.