Tape to Tape stands out as a roguelite hockey game that blends action-packed sports simulation with strategic team-building elements on PC. In this title, you take on the role of a captain leading a team through a mysterious world, making decisions that shape your path to hockey glory. Released in early access in 2023, it combines fast-paced rink action with roguelite progression, where runs involve recruiting players, unlocking abilities, and facing off against quirky opponents.
Gameplay
The core of Tape to Tape revolves around assembling and managing a hockey team in a roguelite structure. You start with a basic squad and progress through runs, hiring unique players with distinct synergies that boost team performance. Choices like selecting powerups, bribing referees for advantages, or visiting the Blademaster for permanent upgrades add layers of strategy. On the ice, the gameplay features dynamic puck physics, where the puck bounces realistically off sticks and players, leading to emergent moments like deflections and rebounds. Goaltenders react organically to shots, making saves feel fair and skill-based. Body checks deliver satisfying impacts, and abilities such as stick-throwing introduce chaotic fun without penalties for lost teeth.
Team management extends to discovering player combinations that unlock bonuses, while losses allow you to refine your approach in subsequent runs. The simcade style mixes precise controls with 90s-inspired arcade action, ensuring matches stay intense and replayable.
Game Modes
Tape to Tape offers several distinct ways to engage with its hockey roguelite mechanics. The main Roguelite Campaign sends you on a journey across acts, encountering events, boss battles, and opportunities to build your team through powerups and artifacts. For shared experiences, the Co-op Campaign lets you team up with friends via local play or Steam Remote Play, debating choices and tackling runs together.
Other options include Tournament mode for structured competitions, Play Now for quick matches with up to 10 players locally, and Shootout mode focused on penalty shots. These modes support customization, like creating players and teams with personalized colors, and draw from over 40 teams each with unique synergies.
Updates and Current State
As of early 2026, Tape to Tape remains in early access, with developers actively incorporating community feedback. Recent updates have introduced new game modes and features, keeping the experience fresh. Plans for the full release include a revamped campaign, a draft mode, additional teams, more powerups, and UI overhauls. The game continues to evolve, with ongoing support ensuring bugs get fixed and new content arrives regularly.
Is It Worth Playing?
Tape to Tape earns strong praise from players, holding a Very Positive rating on Steam with 92% positive reviews from 2,772 English-language entries and 89% from recent reviews across all languages, totaling 3,217. This reception highlights its blend of strategic depth and arcade fun, especially for those who enjoy roguelites or hockey simulations. If you like games that reward experimentation with team builds and offer chaotic multiplayer sessions, it delivers solid value in its current state. Fans of solo progression or couch co-op will find plenty to appreciate, though those seeking native online multiplayer might look elsewhere. With active updates, it suits players open to an evolving title.