Publisher Perp Games and developer Citales Games have announced that Card Witch: Witches' Duel will launch in Early Access on Steam on November 19, 2026. The game is scheduled to release on the same day as GTA 6, a decision the development team describes as a major challenge for an indie studio.
Card Witch: Witches' Duel is a single-player action game that blends parry-based combat with deck-building. Players must time their parries against enemy attacks to accumulate a resource called "Mana," which is then spent to play cards and launch counterattacks. All opponents are boss-level enemies, emphasizing situational judgment and precise timing in combat.
The game offers five difficulty levels, ranging from Novice to Master. The Master difficulty is designed for core action and fighting game enthusiasts, presenting the highest level of challenge. In addition to fast-paced real-time combat, players can also choose a turn-based format that allows for more deliberate decision-making, reducing the pressure of real-time execution.
The game features two modes: Duels and Tournaments. In Duel mode, players use pre-configured fixed decks to practice parrying and basic tactics. Tournament mode follows a Roguelike structure, where players must defeat multiple opponents in succession, using points earned from victories to unlock new cards and permanent items, gradually strengthening their deck.
The story is set in a near-future fantasy world where magic, swords, firearms, and machinery coexist. After winning tournaments, players can unlock exclusive comics detailing the backstories of the characters. The Early Access version will add new formidable enemy characters based on the demo, along with several new cards that expand tactical options.
Regarding the clash with GTA 6's release date, the developers stated that even though public attention will likely focus on Vice City at that time, they remain confident in their game's combat and deck-building mechanics, and thus decided to keep the date. Card Witch: Witches' Duel is also planned to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2027.