HARK
HARK is a horror-inspired deckbuilding puzzle game by protzz, created during the Ludum Dare game jam. Blending eerie aesthetics with clever mechanics, the game puts you in a twisted card-based world where every hand feels like a test and every card is a risk. Drawing inspiration from games like Inscryption and Balatro, HARK takes the idea of card combat and adds layers of strange rules, unsettling characters, and a creeping sense of unease.
Each level challenges you to meet shifting conditions—playing cards that add up to a certain value, match a suit, or hit odd constraints like “only clubs” or “even numbers.” It’s not just poker logic—it’s logic under pressure. Some cards come with modifiers or risks, and as you descend deeper into the game’s network-like structure, the rules get stranger and the stakes higher. One wrong move can cost you everything. But clever play and planning lead to satisfying wins. The haunting Rabbit Hole merchant, the pulse-tracking watch, and the cryptic challenges all contribute to a distinct atmosphere unlike anything else in the genre.
What Makes HARK Stand Out
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🃏 Strategic Deck Puzzling: It’s not about winning big—it’s about meeting strange, shifting requirements under pressure.
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🐰 Atmosphere & Art: The disturbing rabbit-headed dealer and vintage surreal visuals turn a card game into something uncanny.
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💀 Creeping Tension: Health is replaced with heart rate. Mistakes feel visceral. Every point matters.
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🌐 Branching Paths: Choose your way down the map—each node brings new rules and greater danger.
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🖱️ Simple Controls, Deep Strategy: Fully mouse and touch optimized, with intuitive drag-and-drop mechanics.
FAQ
Q: Is HARK a horror game or a strategy game?
A: It’s both. It plays like a puzzle-card hybrid with a creeping horror vibe, but the gameplay is entirely focused on mechanics and decisions.
Q: How long is a typical session?
A: A full run can be completed in around 10–20 minutes, depending on your choices and success rate.
Q: Is this the full version?
A: No—this is a prototype built for Ludum Dare. The developer plans to expand it in the future with more content and polish.
If you enjoyed HARK, you’ll find more card-based experiments and indie gems on our site. Try these other itch.io titles:
Explore the twisted, the tactical, and the totally unexpected.
