Mantis Games has released the first major update for its roguelike horror title Deck of Haunts on Steam, rolling out the new “Nightmare” chapter as of 13 June 2025. This update introduces the most challenging content to date, including the debut of Nightmare Mode, new cards and traits, a Trap Starter Deck, and a raised level cap.
Nightmare Mode challenges players to survive 13 consecutive Nightmares, each made up of 13 cursed nights. Every Nightmare presents new groups of humans with unique traits and escalating modifiers that persist from one challenge to the next, creating an increasingly complex and demanding gauntlet. Strategic thinking is essential, as players navigate this series of trials.
The Grim Reaper is a key feature of this new mode. Players accumulate souls by inducing madness or making kills, and once 13 souls are collected, the Reaper can be summoned to instantly harvest a human of the player’s choice. Completing all 13 Nightmares unlocks the Crypt Room, enabling the Reaper to join players in other game modes. Survivors also gain access to new cards – Corpse Explosion and Sleep Paralysis – as well as a new achievement.
For those who have reached experience level 12, the update adds a Trap Starter Deck. This new deck is designed around ambushes and synergy, providing creative ways to exploit the game’s mechanics and challenge overconfident adventurers through indirect and strategic means.
Additional refinements in this update include improved heart death animations, the removal of dead human portraits, and a new turn counter for humans with the “Helpline” trait. The name pool for humans has also been expanded to include “Jason,” in reference to Friday the 13th.
To celebrate the arrival of the Nightmare update, Deck of Haunts is available at a 20 percent discount on Steam until 16 June 2025.
