Union of Gnomes is a strategy indie RPG adventure that blends roguelike deckbuilding with tactical combat on PC. Players lead a gnome uprising against Snow White's rule in a twisted fairy tale setting, building decks and managing resources to free comrades and defeat oppressors.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on assembling a squad of three distinct gnome heroes, each with unique traits, starting decks, and abilities. Between runs, enhancements improve these heroes for future attempts. Combat involves 130 cards that deliver damage, apply status effects like poison or blindness, or create quirky interactions such as weakening foes through humorous actions. Resource management plays a key role, as players must track supplies referred to as wieners while positioning units to exploit asymmetrical advantages against enemies drawn from classic tales.
Tactical decisions extend to enemy placement and effect timing, with 24 different effects available to disrupt opponents or support gnomes. The system rewards experimentation with synergies and combos across dozens of regular foes and 19 fairy-tale-inspired bosses. Visuals and concept details from the accompanying artbook highlight the quirky character designs and world-building that support these mechanics.
Game Modes
Story mode unfolds across six acts filled with quirky quests and hidden stories that advance the revolutionary narrative. This structured campaign guides players through the uprising while uncovering a central mystery. Endless mode provides ongoing runs for those seeking repeated challenges and deeper deck refinement without narrative constraints.
Both modes emphasize roguelike elements, where each attempt builds on prior progress through hero upgrades and card discoveries. The artbook DLC expands on these experiences by offering 36 pages of concept arts, sketches, and background stories that reveal development insights into the heroes, oppressors, and overall aesthetic without altering core play.
Story and Setting
The narrative reimagines familiar fairy tales in a kingdom under Snow White's despotism, where gnomes organize a liberation effort. Players encounter twisted versions of characters like the Red Hood, the Wizard of Oz, and Pinocchio as adversaries. The setting mixes humor with themes of resistance, supported by the artbook's sketches that illustrate how these elements evolved visually and thematically.
Is It Worth Playing?
Union of Gnomes delivers a focused roguelike deckbuilder experience with strong tactical depth and distinctive humor. It suits players who enjoy building synergies over multiple runs and appreciate resource-driven combat in a single-player format. The game reached full release in 2025 after early access, maintaining very positive reception from hundreds of reviews. The artbook serves as a useful companion for those interested in the creative process behind the gnomes and their world, though it includes spoilers for the main campaign. Those drawn to strategy titles with indie flair and fairy-tale subversion will find consistent value in its systems and modes.
