Across The Obelisk: Sands of Ulminin expands the strategy, indie, RPG, and adventure experience on PC with a new desert zone filled with ancient pyramids and canyons. Players gather their party to investigate a mysterious portal that has appeared in the kingdom of Senenthia, leading to the sands of Ulminin where rumors of hidden secrets spread quickly.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on building and refining a party deck while navigating combat encounters in the new multi-layered zone. Two new dual-class heroes join the roster. Laia functions as a Paladin hybrid of Warrior and Healer, delivering strong damage output alongside party support abilities. Navalea serves as a Fallen hybrid of Warrior and Mage, excelling in close combat while drawing on magical techniques. Both heroes access cards from their combined classes, opening fresh dual-class combinations during runs.
Combat introduces the Scarab mechanic, where scarabs appear randomly and grant significant bonuses upon defeat. Two new Aura and Curse systems, Scourge and Zeal, add layers to deck strategy by influencing enemy and ally effects over time. Over twenty new enemies and three new bosses appear throughout the zone, requiring adjusted tactics and card choices. Thirty new items and three new pets expand customization options for party builds.
Game Modes
The Sands of Ulminin content integrates directly into existing adventures as either Act 2 or Act 3. This placement allows the new zone to slot into different points in a campaign without requiring a full restart. Encounters focus on exploration of layered desert areas, with combat opportunities tied to the portal investigation storyline. No separate standalone modes exist beyond this flexible act structure.
New Heroes and Mechanics
Laia and Navalea bring distinct playstyles that reward experimentation with hybrid card pools. Laia balances offensive pressure with healing support, while Navalea emphasizes aggressive fighter-mage synergies. The Scourge and Zeal systems modify ongoing battle conditions, encouraging players to plan around persistent effects rather than one-off actions. The Scarab mechanic rewards quick reactions during fights by providing party-wide advantages that can shift momentum.
Unlocking these elements involves progressing through the new zone and completing specific tasks tied to the pyramids and canyons. The addition of new items and pets further diversifies deck construction, allowing for varied approaches to the same encounters.
Is It Worth Playing?
This expansion suits players who enjoy strategic deckbuilding and party management in an RPG adventure format. The new heroes, mechanics, and zone provide meaningful variety for those already familiar with the base game structure. Integration as Act 2 or Act 3 keeps the experience cohesive while extending campaign length. Those seeking fresh enemies, bosses, and customization tools will find the additions substantial. The content remains available as a paid addition on PC with no free trial or seasonal updates confirmed at this time.
- Focus on hybrid class experimentation with Laia and Navalea
- Scarab encounters and Scourge/Zeal effects alter standard combat flow
- Flexible act placement supports different campaign lengths