Handmancers playtest is bringing a first-person Rock, Paper, Scissors roguelite deckbuilder game for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. All thanks to the nonstop creativity of developer 58BLADES. Due to let you dive into gameplay on Steam soon.
My hands are ready… and I’m not even kidding. Handmancers is about to release into Steam with an open playtest next week. And it’s also the kind of game that makes you sit up straight like you’re about to queue ranked. Simple rules. Big brain fights. One wrong gesture and you feel it.
And the best part? You can opt-in starting today. No waiting, no gatekeeping. Just you, your PC, and the most unhinged Rock-Paper-Scissors mind game I’ve seen in years.
This isn’t “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” This is a duel.
So here’s what’s happening: 58BLADES and Human Qube Games are officially opening the gates. Handmancers, that name rules is hosting an open Steam playtest starting January 20th, and it’s coming to Linux.
Now, if you’re thinking “Rock, Paper, Scissors… really?” trust me. That was my first reaction too. But this is not some goofy party trick game.
This is a first-person Rock, Paper, Scissors roguelite deckbuilder, and it hits different since you’re not a floating cursor slapping cards. You’re a duelist. You’re in it. Every fight feels like a stare-down across the table, while you’re reading your enemy and shaping your next move like you’re about to counter someone’s whole career.
Every run is a hand-crafted trap for your enemies
Here’s the hook that got me: the rules are simple, each Sign beats another, like classic RPS. But the game isn’t about picking the “right” Sign.
Handmancers is about building a hand so nasty that even when you lose a prediction… you still win the war in this playtest.
Each run is you stacking power. Gems reshape Signs with new effects, and Artifacts unlock synergies that can completely flip the way fights play out. So you’re not just improving numbers. You’re also creating combos. Like, “oh no, I just turned Paper into a monster and now nothing is safe” kind of combos.
And yes, you can customize your hand hard, each card can carry up to three modifiers. This is where the deckbuilder brain starts purring. You find the right mix, and suddenly your casual little hand gesture turns into a straight-up nuke.
Pick a style in Handmancers playtest… then live with the outcomes
What I like is how the game pushes you to commit. You choose a faction, and it shapes your vibe.
Want to go full aggressive? Scissors is your heavy damage lane.
Want to play safer? Rock supports defensive play.
Want to mess with the enemy’s brain and stack nonsense? Paper is all about buffs and setups.
It feels like choosing a fighting game character, since you’re not just picking power, you’re picking personality.
Handmancers – Official Playtest Trailer
Corruption shows up… and it’s unfair on purpose
Then there’s Corruption.
This is where the game gets spicy. Corruption throws in a fourth unbeatable element, basically crashing the party and bending the rules. And yes, it’s powerful, but it comes with a heavy price.
That’s the kind of mechanic I live for. Tempting. Dangerous. And absolutely going to ruin someone’s run at the worst possible moment.
The Handmancers playtest actually sounds meaty (not a teaser)
This isn’t a tiny demo where you fight two enemies and get booted out.
The Handmancers Open Playtest is also described as a substantial slice of the full game meant to show the complete experience. Since you get:
- multiple heroes
- the full suite of core mechanics
- and a meta-progression layer that carries forward as you learn and push deeper
Also: localization is included in-game during the playtest, which is honestly a big W. It means they’re not treating global players like an afterthought.
Why Linux gamers should care about the Handmancers playtest
As someone who like seeing real support for the platform: Steam playtests that include Linux on day one deserve attention. It’s still not as common as it should be, especially for niche first-person roguelite and deckbuilders.
So yeah, Handmancers playtest isn’t just another “wishlist our indie game” announcement. It’s a legit invitation to throw hands (literally), build disgusting synergy chains, and stress-test a game that’s brave enough to make Rock-Paper-Scissors feel like a tactical duel.
Opt-ins are live now. Open playtest begins January 20th for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC.
If you want a game that rewards mind games, smart builds, and pure run-to-run addiction… I’ll see you in the arena.