Publisher Fireshine Games and debut developer ODD SUB dropped a double reveal at the Second Wind Showcase today — unveiling Husk Protocol, a deck-driven mecha roguelite with a brutal twist, alongside an open playtest that’s available right now on Steam.
The hook is immediately striking: there is absolutely no way to heal in Husk Protocol. Every hit your mech takes is permanent damage, meaning every battle is a slow countdown to destruction. The question isn’t whether your husk will go down — it’s knowing exactly when to abandon it before it does, carrying whatever cards and modules you’ve salvaged across to your next suit.
It’s a genuinely fresh angle on deckbuilding roguelites. Rather than optimizing one build over a full run, you’re constantly evaluating your current mech’s condition against the cost of bailing — because leaving means leaving some of your hard-earned rewards behind too. Each mech also brings its own distinct playstyle to the table, from brawlers that actually benefit from absorbing punishment to control-focused suits built for crowd management, so adapting your deck philosophy mid-run is essential.
Adding further pressure is a detection meter that rises with every action you take. Push it too far, and the city’s mainframe ambushes you, forcing an early boss encounter before you’re ready. It’s the kind of mechanic that keeps even experienced players from getting too comfortable.
The whole thing is wrapped in grungy bruto-punk pixel art that puts you right in the cockpit for every bullet and missile impact — stylish without sacrificing readability.
ODD SUB is a brand new studio founded by three industry veterans, and Husk Protocol is their first project. Given how sharp the concept is out of the gate, it’s a strong debut to keep an eye on.
The open playtest is live now on Steam — well worth checking out if mecha card combat sounds like your kind of chaos.
Check out the reveal trailer here:
Links:
- Steam (Playtest + Wishlist): https://store.steampowered.com/app/4202270/Husk_Protocol/
- Fireshine Games: https://fireshinegames.co.uk/