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CHARK

Chess and deckbuilding collide in a compact 5×5 roguelike battlefield of risk and reward. Build momentum from a lone King: stack small advantages, gamble on bold moves, and watch the rules bend as your King snowballs to victory. Short, intense runs how far can you go?

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Updated: Jul 14, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
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About the Game

CHARK is a chess-inspired deckbuilding roguelike played on a compact 5×5 board. Outsmart and outmaneuver your foes by playing piece-cards to move your King like a chess piece. Each turn offers a critical choice – play it safe or gamble on bonus challenges for a chance to snowball your power!

Small advantages stack up to spectacular combos in CHARK. Draft quirky “Food” artifacts that bend the rules of chess in your favor, from extra moves to explosive power-ups. What starts as careful strategy can quickly turn into an explosive frenzy as your tiny crown grows into a dominating force.

Features:

  • Tactical 5×5 Chess Combat: Navigate a 5×5 board using cards as chess pieces. Plan your moves carefully in a tight space rife with possibilities.

  • Multiple Kings & Playstyles: Unlock various Kings, each with a unique passive ability and strategy – from a swift monarch to a mighty conqueror.

  • “Food” Artifacts & Combos: Discover and collect strange food-themed artifacts that break the conventional rules. Mix and match effects to create powerful synergies and game-breaking combos.

  • Risk-vs-Reward Challenges: Every turn presents two optional side objectives. Take on these risky challenges to earn multipliers and bonus rewards... or face the consequences if you fail!

  • Short Runs, High Replayability: Each run lasts about 15–25 minutes – easy to pick up, yet deep to master. Perfect for quick sessions that often turn into “just one more run”.

  • Minimalist Design: Clean, minimalist UI and straightforward controls let you focus on the strategy. No complex menus – jump straight into the action.