Review: None Shall Intrude
Image Credit: Aeterna Ludi | Written by Andrew Bame
Released on January 20, 2025, None Shall Intrude flips the script on your typical RPG. Instead of playing the noble hero, you’re the unkillable raid boss. Think of it as role-playing chaos incarnate, defending your realm from waves of overconfident heroes who apparently didn’t get the memo about how outmatched they are.
After playing this game nonstop, here’s our review of None Shall Intrude and everything you need to know.
Gameplay: A Roguelike with a Twist
The game features a roguelike deck-building system where you combine elemental powers like fire, wind, and earth to destroy your enemies in creative ways. You’ll quickly realize this isn’t just about brute force—it’s about outsmarting the so-called “heroes” who dare to challenge your dominion.
One standout feature is the inhale/exhale mechanic. Essentially, you “inhale” to build power, then “exhale” to unleash devastating attacks. It’s like holding your breath before blowing out birthday candles—except the candles are enemies, and the “wish” is their destruction. Add a rage meter that lets you nuke entire waves of heroes, and you’ve got a gameplay loop that feels both strategic and deeply satisfying.
World Design: Not Quite Open, But Still Engaging
None Shall Intrude doesn’t have a massive open world. Instead, you’ll choose paths through a map-based progression system. Each region—whether it’s a lush forest, icy mountain, or fiery desert—offers unique challenges and vibes. It keeps things fresh without the need for a sprawling, aimless sandbox. Plus, procedurally generated encounters ensure every playthrough feels different, so you won’t get bored defending the same turf twice.
Visuals and Sound: Gorgeous and Gruesome
The hand-drawn 2D art style is absolutely stunning. Each environment feels alive, from eerie forests to desolate wastelands. The heroes—bless their doomed little souls—are all uniquely designed, making it even more fun to squash them.
The sound design deserves a shoutout too. The music ramps up during combat and softens during quieter moments, perfectly setting the tone. And those attack sound effects? They make you feel like a true force of nature. Nothing says "raid boss" like the sound of a Hell Knight’s armor crunching.
A Few Bumps in the Road
Not everything is perfect in this realm of chaos. Fire-based strategies can feel overpowered—if you love setting everything ablaze, this is your moment, but it might need balancing in future updates. The user interface is also a bit clunky, making it mildly frustrating to navigate your deck and menus early on. Nothing game-breaking, but it’s worth mentioning.
Replayability: High Stakes, Endless Fun
Each run takes about 10–20 hours, depending on how thorough you are. With new cards, relics, and challenges to unlock, the game practically begs you to replay it. Procedural generation means no two playthroughs are the same, so you can keep coming back to crush new heroes in new ways. Honestly, being a raid boss never gets old.
Our Verdict: Should You Play It?
Absolutely. None Shall Intrude is a unique, beautifully designed game that takes risks and nails them. The strategy, combat, and art come together in a way that makes it hard to put down. Sure, it has some minor balance and UI issues, but they’re small hiccups in an otherwise stellar experience.
If you’re into deck-building games, roguelikes, or just want to unleash your inner villain, this game is worth every penny of its $14.99 price tag (also on sale as of this writing). Embrace the chaos. Defend your realm. And don’t feel bad for those heroes—they knew what they were getting into.
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