Here’s an interesting indie game based on cards: a co-op card game. But the twist is that it’s not just about coordinating your attacks each turn, you also have to be in sync like how Pacific Rim mech pilots need to be to defeat monsters.
That’s the premise of Duo Quest developed by Malaysia-based indie outfit 1+1 Studios, though without the mechs. But you do be slaying monsters.
Here’s how Duo Quest works. Each turn, one player takes two cards from a deck of cards, one to be played and one to discard. The cards can be attack cards that do damage, defence cards that blocks incoming damage, or healing cards that replenishes health. But in order to activate the cards’ ability, the duo of players must answer a question and arrive at the same answer. Players are allowed to give hints before locking in answer. Then the next player takes two cards, discards one, and play one and figure out the same answer to the same question again. And after that, the monster takes turns.
Essentially, Duo Quest’s card game gameplay plays like most duel card games. The twist is that the two players are sitting on the same side of the table.
At Indie Jam 2024, the developers demoed the game as a board game, with actual playing cards and a playing mat.
And it works really well as either an icebreaker between two acquaintances and see if they are, to use another Pacific Rim reference, Drift Compatible, or test how well two partners know each other which may or may not strain their established relationship afterwards. This game can land you in situations where you discover that your life partner doesn’t remember your birthday, or you not remembering a special date that means so much to your partner.
There are different deck of cards prepared, and this includes decks designed to test each other’s familiarity with their background (i.e. school life) or preferences (i.e. things they like or don’t like when travelling).
As a video game, Duo Quest will let players decide if the answer their partner provide is correct or not, so it operates on a trust system. The questions can be quite open-ended that goes beyond a “yes” or “no” answer (like “what extracurricular activity did you do in high school?”). It’s an understandable compromise. And it does mean you can technically win any game of Duo Quest if both parties agree to every answer regardless of it’s the same answer. But slaying the monster isn’t the premise of the game (there’s no progression unlocks or something achievable by simply collecting wins), which should be a good enough encouragement for players to experience conversations and get to know each other better.
Duo Quest will be released as a video game, but 1+1 Studios are considering making a proper tabletop release to help fund its development. Given how successful the demo on the show floor was (there’s always people playing at the two tables they have the game set up, from what we observed), there’s bound to be players interested in this for tabletop night. Plus, it makes for a great icebreaker at social gatherings. The pair of players (and any onlookers) will surely learn a thing or two about each other, or can feel out if they can communicate with each other well to figure out the answers.
Duo Quest has no release date yet.