Australian indie developer Mystic Road has announced that its Ancient Chinese roguelike deck-builder Zodiac Mountain will be coming to PC in 2026. The game is packed with lore and folktales dating back millennia, blending strategic gameplay with storytelling inspired by rich Asian cultural narratives. It follows a Panda on their quest to become a Chinese Zodiac. Players use the dual hands of Yin & Yang, encounter mythical characters, defeat enemies, and climb to the top of Zodiac Mountain. The game will be featured in Chuck Another Game On The Barbie from September 13 to 15, and a demo will be available starting September 29.
Panda uses two hands of cards at once thanks to the Dual Hand System. This helps to unlock a wide array of abilities and strategies. Master the art of Yin & Yang hands to combine cards, enhancing Panda’s skills and strategic combat. All battles are turn-based. The Dynamic Turn Queue allows players to plan their moves.
“As my first indie game, I wanted to draw from my Chinese roots,” said lead developer Kevin Jiang in a press release. “I’ve always wondered how the Zodiacs were chosen — and growing up, people often asked me why the Panda wasn’t among them. That simple question became the spark for Zodiac Mountain. As a long-time fan of the roguelike deckbuilder genre, I wanted to bring something fresh by weaving in Chinese mythology and philosophy. The core mechanic draws from the concept of balance — players hold a ‘Yin’ hand and a ‘Yang’ hand, and moving cards between them changes their effects when played. We believe this system offers both flexibility and strategic depth, while also celebrating cultural stories and ideas that inspired it.”
Developed and published by Mystic Road, Zodiac Mountain will be released in 2026 for PC via Steam.
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