RALA:/:genetica

OVERVIEW:

RALA:/:genetica — A turn-based tactical RPG for Playdate with a card-driven combat system and a full hidden-information online multiplayer PvP mode.

CAMPAIGN:

A story-driven tactical RPG where your objective is to keep your Faction alive, navigate a hostile world, and engage in turn-based battles to further your overall objective: find the source of the signal, and prevent a dimensional cataclysmic event on a cosmic scale. In the Skirmish Phase, the enemy HP is a deck of cards. Draw from their heartbeat deck to wound them — but the cards they draw fight back. Build your faction, recruit 32+ members, and survive a world that doesn't want you in it.

ONLINE/LOCAL MULTIPLAYER:

Countdown to Oblivion (CTO): Both players are invisible. Place hidden trap networks — mines, tethers, decoys — then hunt each other through fog of war. Melee hits hard (3 wounds + knockdown), shooting ends your entire turn, and every tile could be a trap. 6 synergies, 13 units, no single best strategy. Play online, local pass-and-play, or vs CPU.

Skirmish: Standard turn-based play-by-mail tactical battle. Currently similar to combat in the Campaign, more modes are currently in development.

DEMO:

Campaign Demo

~90 minutes of single-player content across several engagement cycles. Three save slots, transferable to the full game at release. The core gameplay loop is solid — there's a lot to uncover.

Full Multiplayer

Online play-by-mail and local pass-the-playdate are fully unlocked and balanced separately from the campaign. Create matches, play against folks worldwide, and build your own maps at https://maps.ralagenetica.com (drop the JSON in your Playdate's /Shared/ralagenetica/ directory).

Discord Notifications

Link your Discord in-game (Lobby > Profile) to get pinged when it's your turn. QR code link in the game.

Free Demo Forever

The demo will always be available so paid players can match with anyone. Server code will be open-sourced after launch.

Still in progress: guided intro tutorial, commissioned spritework, and polish.