Chainmaster (Prototype)

Chainmaster is a card-based prototype focused on chains, multipliers, and decision-making. The goal is simple: play cards, build increasingly powerful combos, and squeeze as much value as possible out of each round before the chain breaks.

Each run is about linking cards of the same element, countering with others, and abusing synergies to generate large numbers.

How to Play

• Start a round by playing any card from your hand
• The first card starts the chain value
• You can then:
  • Chain: Play a card of the same element to multiply the chain
  • Counter: Play an element that beats the current one to add its value and change the element
• Build the chain as long as you have valid cards
• You can end the round at any time to secure your points
• If you can’t play a valid card, the round ends automatically

The core challenge is knowing when to keep pushing and when to stop.

During a run, you can earn items that permanently affect your game:

• Items modify how chains, cards, elements, and scoring work
• They can add multipliers, bonuses, or special rules
• Multiple items can be equipped at once, allowing effects to stack and create powerful combinations

Items are intentionally strong and sometimes unbalanced, encouraging experimentation and broken builds.

Game State

This game is just a prototype.

It was developed in around 6 hours, so:

• The game is not perfectly balanced
• Numbers, items, and interactions are not deeply tuned
• Many systems exist as concepts rather than polished mechanics

Despite this, the game is fully playable, designed as a short experimental experience.

AI-Assisted Development

Approximately 80% of the code was created with the help of AI, used to speed up development and explore this idea quickly.

Inspiration

• Balatro
• Clover Pit
• Elementals (one of my previous games)