Urban fantasy roguelike Relief has been updated with UI, gameplay and balance improvements, as developer Billiontail and publisher 2P Games mark the game's first month on Steam with a 35% discount
Relief, the urban fantasy deckbuilding roguelike from Billiontail and 2P Games, has received a significant update on Steam just days before its one-month release anniversary. The patch, titled Reborn, introduces a range of improvements to the game's user interface, gameplay flow and balance, while also addressing several reported issues. To coincide with the update, Relief is now available at a 35% discount, bringing the price to £8.93 in the UK, €10.06 in Europe and $9.74 in the US. The update and discount are live on Steam, with full patch details published in the official announcement.
Update Details and Gameplay Changes
The Reborn update aims to refine the core experience of Relief by overhauling combat and exploration systems. According to the developer, players can expect a more streamlined interface, improved pacing during runs, and adjustments to balance that affect both enemy encounters and player progression. The patch also resolves a number of technical and gameplay issues reported since launch, though the full list of changes is available on the game's Steam page. A new trailer has been released to showcase the update's highlights, offering a look at the revised systems in action.
Deckbuilding, Companions and Customisation
Relief's gameplay centres on building powerful decks using cards, artefacts and upgrades, with each run shaped by the player's choices and the spirit companion selected at the outset. There are five companions, each with a distinct card pool and combat identity: Cui Beibei, Lu Wei, Chechi Rocket Team, A.Lian and Mrs. Luo. These companions introduce mechanics ranging from status effects and spirit summoning to elemental chain reactions and fusion-based strategies. The game's procedural city maps, inspired by urban folklore, offer varied routes and events, while the shrine system and Blessings provide further customisation by allowing players to enchant individual cards.
Difficulty Modes and Strategic Depth
Beyond the standard mode, Relief includes Hard Mode and Hell Mode for players seeking greater challenge. These modes increase enemy intelligence and lethality, requiring more careful deck construction and tactical decision-making. The Roc's Aid system, which appears during the early acts, offers 24 unique powers that can dramatically alter a run's direction, encouraging experimentation and risk-taking. With over 1,000 cards and 300 artefacts, the game is designed to support a wide range of builds and playstyles, ensuring that no two runs are identical.
Release Context and Publisher Background
Relief launched on Steam in 2026 and is developed by Billiontail, with 2P Games handling global publishing. 2P Games has a track record of supporting indie projects, having previously published titles such as Sultan's Game and The Hungry Lamb. The current update and discount are intended to mark the game's first month on sale, a milestone that often prompts developers to refine their live titles. For those interested in other recent PC game announcements, the upcoming Neo Berlin 2087 was recently revealed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, as covered in our recent platform round-up.
Deckbuilding roguelikes like Relief rely on procedural generation to ensure replayability, with each run offering a different combination of cards, artefacts and events. Procedural generation refers to the use of algorithms to create game content dynamically, rather than relying on fixed layouts or encounters. This approach allows developers to offer a high degree of variety and unpredictability, but also presents challenges in balancing difficulty and ensuring that each run remains fair and engaging. As a result, updates such as Reborn are often necessary to fine-tune the experience based on player feedback and observed gameplay data.
