# Lost For Swords — Roguelike Deck-Building To Go!

> Roguelike deck-building dungeon crawler with tactical turn-based combat. (iPhone/iPad app by Maximilian Csuk.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lost-for-swords/id6708233729 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Maximilian Csuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/602656303)
- Category: Games, Role Playing, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 303 App Store ratings · 176 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 214 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany), Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2024-11-25
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lost-for-swords/id6708233729/reviews.md

## What is Lost For Swords?

Lost For Swords is a Roguelike Deckbuilder, where the cards in your deck shape the rooms you’re exploring.

Make your way up the tower, equip weapons and armor, cast spells and scrolls, activate auras, collect loot and defeat monsters in tactical turn-based combat.

The clue: the equipment you pick up can only be used once! Plan ahead how you spend your resources. Are your cards strong enough? Can you make it to the next floor?

Your equipment cards and the cards of the dungeon are shuffled together and placed on the board, creating a unique challenge every time!

Between dungeon floors, you can upgrade your equipment to build the strongest deck possible. Can you find synergies between the cards?

Lost For Swords is a...

* Card Game
* Roguelike Dungeon Crawler
* Turn Based Strategy Game

...all in one!

## Key features

- Deck-shaped room exploration
- Tactical turn-based combat
- Single-use equipment system
- Card synergy building
- Dungeon floor upgrades
- Procedurally generated challenges

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Lost For Swords?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎮 Engaging and unique gameplay
- 🕹️ Addictive and challenging
- 🎨 Great visuals and art style
- 💰 Generous free content
- 🤝 Supportive community

**Cons**

- 🔒 Difficulty unlocking full version
- 🔁 Repetitive boss fights
- ❓ Unclear progression and mechanics

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Backtracking bug in rooms
- Purchasing issues on some devices

**Most requested features**

- More unlockable classes and cards
- Improved in-game explanations
- Ability to reset progress

## Recent user reviews (10 of 176)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lost-for-swords/id6708233729/reviews.md

### 5/5 — fun game

*2026-08-24, version 1.48.18*

i tried it and bought it, worth it

### 5/5 — Honestly surprised

*2026-08-19, version 1.48.18*

I thought this was gonna be meh, but it’s actually a really clever game. I hope the developer makes more content like this in the future. The first few levels are free to play, and then there’s a point where if you want to do the rest of the game it’s $5; IMO worth though. Little bit of a learning curve once you get to the Rogue :)

### 5/5 — Perfect mix of simple and complex

*2026-08-07, version 1.48.18*

Love this game, it’s got lots of play value and I’m always excited to go the next room and solve its mini puzzle. I really like all the hero’s mechanics and how they DRASTICALLY change how you handle a room!

### 5/5 — Great little Roguelike

*2026-07-14, version 1.48.18*

I’ve really enjoyed playing this game, totally worth the full game unlock. The grid based actions and combat are easy to understand, but require a good amount of planning and optimization. It’s just the right amount of tactics that requires careful consideration, but isn’t brain meltingly complicated. It’s great that there is an undo action, in case you don’t yet understand how all the mechanics will work out on a given turn. The different characters play differently and provide a good amount of variety.

And then, on top of the standard campaign for each character there is a custom map builder that allows players to build puzzles for other’s to solve. Looking forward to any more towers and enemies that can be added to the main campaign.

### 5/5 — Title

*2026-07-10, version 1.48.18*

Review



Read more

I legitimately love this game. The sheer amount of possible runs means it'll never get old, and it has a (somewhat) simple combat system plus hundreds of cards to change the gameplay. I don't know about anyone else but I call that putting in effort.
I have not bought the full game, and I would very much like to.

[I deleted this part because it seems there already ARE community-made levels. Please tell me if I am correct.]

### 5/5 — Reviews are accurate

*2026-07-09, version 1.48.18*

I’ll echo a few reviews I read before giving this game a try - you’ll know pretty quickly if you want to support the developer by purchasing the full game, or continue on with your life without it. The core mechanic of the deck works really well - I was a bit skeptical at first, but after a few runs it clicked and I totally see the genius behind the random assortment of weapons/armor you could have in a given room. It allows for fine-tuning the number of cards you have available in a room, which adds a layer of difficulty if you want it. 

“Do I take the “easy” room, where I have access to 10 of my cards and 4 enemies? Or do I try to get through a room where I only have 8 cards for 5 enemies - to get an extra copy of small key? (Which increases the number of remove/upgrades to your deck?)” 

Fantastic stuff, and great design! Thanks for making it! (I bought the full game after a few sessions)

### 5/5 — Engaging Turn-Based Puzzle Roguelike

*2026-07-06, version 1.48.18*

Lost for Swords is a really interesting and tactical turn-based game. It honestly took me a little bit to get used how to play, as the controls on iPhone aren’t *super* intuitive. But once I got the hang of it, I bought the full game. It’s really engaging and hard to put down. But if you DO put it down, it saves your progress, which is awesome. There are tons of variables, and with them, various ways to solve the game. There’s also an “undo” button (conditional!) that’s really helpful if you are trying to figure out the best solution.  Definitely recommend to those who enjoy in-depth puzzles and tactical games (who don’t mind dying! 😄)

### 5/5 — Unique Addictive Rogue-lite Deckbuilder

*2026-06-10, version 1.48.18*

This game is really cool. The four different classes provide totally different gameplay within the same mechanics. The mechanics are unique in a way that discourages too small a deck and too large a deck (with exceptions of course).  Totally worthwhile purchase. I was a little put off by the presentation at first so if you are too stick it through to at least the second tower and see how you feel.

### 5/5 — Great pacing

*2026-05-22, version 1.48.18*

The game feels slightly more elevated than your average mobile game, but not too complex where it feels overwhelming. The challenge and difficulty factor is appropriate for a mobile game, the randomness and floor generation really makes you think strategically, and the artwork looks great. 

My only complaint is that the text can be a bit small to read, but other than that, it’s a fun game!

### 5/5 — A Clever Twist on Deckbuilders

*2026-04-10, version 1.48.18*

Lost for Swords is a really clever take on the deckbuilder formula. Instead of just playing cards from your hand, your deck actually forms the dungeon itself. Enemies, loot, and movement are all tied to how the cards are laid out, so you’re effectively navigating the board your deck creates. It’s a unique idea that clicks once you get a feel for it.

The early tutorial leans a bit more puzzle-heavy, but the game opens up quickly into a more flexible and rewarding system.

Everything about the game feels polished and thoughtfully designed. It’s clear a lot of care and passion went into making it.

I also appreciate that it plays in portrait mode, which feels rare these days. It works great for quick sessions, but it’s just as easy to sit down and play for a longer run.

If you’re into deckbuilders and want something that feels genuinely different, this is definitely worth checking out.

## Frequently asked questions about Lost For Swords

### What kind of game is Lost For Swords?

Lost For Swords is a unique blend of a roguelike dungeon crawler, a deck-building card game, and a turn-based strategy game. The cards in your deck directly influence the rooms you explore, creating a dynamic and challenging experience.

### How does the equipment system work?

A key mechanic is that the equipment you pick up can only be used once. This requires careful planning and resource management as you progress through the dungeon. You'll need to strategize how to best utilize your limited gear.

### Is Lost For Swords free to play?

The application is free to download and play, but it does offer in-app purchases. These purchases may provide additional content or enhance the player's experience, but the core gameplay is accessible without them.

### What makes each playthrough unique?

Each playthrough offers a unique challenge because your equipment cards and the dungeon's cards are shuffled together and placed on the board. This procedural generation ensures that no two runs are the same, requiring you to adapt your strategy on the fly.

### Can I upgrade my deck during a run?

Yes, between dungeon floors, you have the opportunity to upgrade your equipment. This allows you to build a stronger deck over time and discover powerful synergies between different cards to overcome increasingly difficult challenges.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.48.18 — 2025-12-14

New Hero: the Warlock!

The latest addition to Lost For Swords' hero roster is now live and playable: the Warlock!

Siphon the life from monsters or let them rot. Command minions to do your bidding or put your own life on the line. Curse your foes or curse yourself. Your choice!

### 1.47.9 — 2025-05-24

Performance improvements

### 1.46.0 — 2025-05-14

Lots of improvements, including new and updated cards, as well as balance changes!

### 1.45.0 — 2025-04-22

Lots of improvements, including new and updated cards, as well as starter decks!

### 1.44.1 — 2025-03-05

Lots of improvements, including new and updated cards, as well as a new language: Brazilian Portuguese!

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## More apps by Maximilian Csuk

- [Nubs' Adventure](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nubs-adventure/id981935578)

All apps by Maximilian Csuk: https://appshunter.io/developer/602656303

## Related topics

[crawler deck](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/crawler-deck) · [the lost cards](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-lost-cards) · [lost sword](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/lost-sword)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*
