Turtle Juice, a small indie studio from Brazil, is preparing to release Mechborn on PlayStation 5 in late 2026. The game combines roguelike deckbuilding with mech-based combat against giant kaiju, drawing inspiration from 1990s mech anime and elements of Greek mythology. In Mechborn, players take control of elite pilots, called the Mechborn, who can synchronize with modular mechs to fight against overwhelming threats to Earth and its colonies. The game emphasizes strategic decision-making, where deckbuilding, combat positioning, and exploration all interact to shape each playthrough.
Deckbuilding Starts With Your Mech
Mechborn approaches deckbuilding in a unique way by tying it directly to mech construction. Each mech is composed of four parts—Head, Torso, Arms, and Legs—and each part contributes cards to the starting deck. This means that choosing a mech is not only about stats but also about how the deck will play in combat. Players can select from three mech models, Original, Spartan, and Olympian, each offering a distinct mechanical identity. Whether focusing on mobility, offense, or completing matching sets for bonuses like extra HP, mech selection sets the tone for the entire run.
This system encourages experimentation and strategic planning before the first battle even begins, making the process of customizing mechs as important as playing the cards themselves.
Combat Revolves Around the Conveyor Belt
Mechborn introduces a Conveyor Belt combat system that changes how players interact with cards. Instead of drawing a hand each turn, seven cards are laid out on a conveyor belt at the start of combat. Playing a card causes a new one to enter from the left, pushing the rest forward.
Card positioning becomes a core element of strategy. Some cards gain additional effects when placed next to specific types, while others become stronger if left unplayed for several turns. Support cards can charge future attacks, and defensive cards may require multiple turns of planning. This approach shifts combat from purely reactive play to a combination of timing, sequencing, and spatial strategy.
Pilot Abilities Affect Every Run
Pilots in Mechborn add another layer of strategy. Each pilot comes with four active skills that charge as cards are played. These abilities are designed to be tactical tools rather than passive bonuses, and they can alter the course of a battle if used correctly.
Some pilots specialize in repositioning cards on the conveyor belt, while others manipulate card costs, immobilize enemies, or turn defensive setups into offensive opportunities. Certain pilot and mech combinations create unique playstyles that cannot be achieved otherwise, making pilot selection a significant factor in how a run unfolds.
Exploration is Flexible and Reactive
Mechborn does not rely on fixed paths for exploration. Instead, players can navigate freely across continents, choosing when to advance or retreat. Encounters, events, vendors, and faction interactions shift between runs, offering a different experience each time.
Players may visit vendors to upgrade key cards, explore research labs to unlock Infusers, or align with factions to influence future encounters. Movement consumes fuel, and running out can leave players stranded in hostile zones, adding a layer of resource management to exploration. This system encourages thoughtful decision-making, balancing risk and reward at every step.
Replayability is Built Into Every System
Every aspect of Mechborn, from mech customization to conveyor belt combat and adaptive exploration, is designed to support replayability. Dynamic maps, multiple mech models, a variety of pilots, and hundreds of cards ensure that no two runs are the same. Mastery comes through experimentation and understanding system interactions, rather than memorization of encounters. Each run is a new opportunity to refine strategies and explore different mech-pilot combinations.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is Mechborn coming to PS5?
Mechborn is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 in late 2026.
What platforms will Mechborn be available on?
Currently, Mechborn is confirmed for PlayStation 5. Other platforms have not been announced.
How does deckbuilding work in Mechborn?
Deckbuilding begins with mech construction. Each mech is made of four parts—Head, Torso, Arms, Legs—each contributing cards to the deck. Different mech models offer unique playstyles.
What is the Conveyor Belt combat system?
Combat uses a seven-card conveyor belt. Playing a card adds a new one to the belt and pushes others forward, emphasizing positioning, timing, and strategic planning.
Do pilots affect gameplay?
Yes, pilots provide four active skills that charge during combat. Each pilot offers different abilities that can significantly impact battles and synergize with specific mech builds.
Is exploration linear?
No, exploration is adaptive. Players can move freely, encounter dynamic events, visit vendors, and align with factions. Fuel management adds strategic weight to movement decisions.
Will each run feel different?
Yes, Mechborn is designed for replayability with dynamic maps, varying encounters, multiple mech models, pilots, and hundreds of cards to experiment with.
