What is BLACK STACK?
Imagine a cyber-occult fever dream where you're breaching the servers of a corporate god. BLACK STACK blends neon-goth aesthetics with a high-stakes deckbuilder where every powerful card you play risks exposing your location.
Gameplay
You're hacking into a sentient corporate god's megastructure in a neon-goth world. Moment to moment, you're managing a massive pool of 496 protocols to build your deck. The real hook is the Trace mechanic. Every time you drop a powerful play, you leave evidence behind. It's a constant gamble: do you nuke the enemy and risk getting detected, or play it slow to stay hidden? It creates a tension similar to Slay the Spire, but you're managing visibility instead of just health.
You'll pick from three identities and tackle two six-act campaigns. The meta-progression is actually clever because the second campaign flips the script. You start as an apostate, then move under the Mandate, which completely changes how you have to build your deck. It keeps the run variety high and stops the loop from feeling stale.
It's not all smooth sailing. The early game is clunky and the tutorial doesn't do you any favors. You're basically thrown into the deep end, and it takes a while to figure out which protocols actually synergize. At $8.99, it's a cheap entry point for a strategy game, but the rough edges make it feel a bit unpolished in spots. If you can push past the confusing start, the complexity is rewarding.
Key Features
- 496 unique protocol cards
- Trace visibility management mechanic
- Two connected six-act campaigns
- Three distinct character identities
Screenshots
Verdict
“Just started playing BLACK STACK but I am already hooked. The game nails the "One more run" feeling and adds multiple features to the basic "Deck Building" genre that helps set it apart from the other…”
“The art is very, very AI. I'm not sure I could make AI-er art if I tried. Asking money for this is shameful.”
I'd give this an 8/10. It's a must-play for fans of high-complexity decks and dark corporate horror, but skip it if you can't stand AI-style art or frustratingly vague tutorials.
View on Steam →* Price at time of publication (checked 31.08.2026). Prices may vary by region and are subject to change. This is an editorial review, not a commercial offer.