Follows the Lives of Occult University Students in Burn With Me
Indie studio Nozomu Games has unveiled the demo for its story-driven card game Burn With Me during the Thinky Direct showcase, with players able to dive in starting today. Expanding from its origins as a game jam prototype, the project evolves into a full experience that blends narrative depth with strategic design, aiming to attract both deckbuilding fans and story-focused players.
At its core, Burn With Me introduces a “deck-burner” system, where players sacrifice cards for power. Push too far, however, and the deck collapses, leaving no options in critical moments. This risk-reward mechanic mirrors the game’s darker themes of obsession, desire, and the dangerous allure of power.
The story follows a group of occult university students guided by a deeply obsessed teacher. As they uncover forbidden rituals and summon personal demons, each character must confront their inner struggles, either mastering their obsessions or losing themselves completely. Each chapter ties gameplay mechanics closely to emotional states, creating a strong connection between story and strategy.
According to developer Ivan, the original prototype demonstrated the strength of the core mechanics during Ludum Dare 55. For the full version, the team focused on building atmosphere and emotional weight, resulting in what he describes as a dark, jazzy blend of gameplay and storytelling.
The game will feature six chapters, each with unique mechanics, cards, and bosses, while the demo offers a glimpse into the opening chapter. Visually, the game stands out with hand-drawn art by Eva, combined with real-life footage elements that add an unsettling, otherworldly tone.
With a successful prototype already reaching over 20,000 players and earning praise from Inscryption creator Daniel Mullins, Burn With Me is shaping up to be a distinctive entry in the indie card game space.