In most fantasy games, players charge into dungeons to slay monsters and grab treasure. But Keep the Heroes Out! flips that idea on its head. Instead of playing as heroes, players take the role of dungeon defenders, working together to stop knights, rogues, and wizards from stealing what’s rightfully theirs. This clever twist, first seen in the board game version, is now coming to PC and Nintendo Switch as a full digital adaptation on December 9, 2025.
Defend the Dungeon Instead of Raiding It
The heart of Keep the Heroes Out! lies in its reversed roles. It’s a cooperative strategy game for 1 to 4 players where teamwork is key. Each session lasts about 40 to 50 minutes and focuses on stopping waves of invading heroes before they wreck the dungeon. Players take on the roles of classic dungeon creatures—slimes, skeletons, dragons—and must use clever moves and smart planning to hold off adventurers looking for loot.
This change in perspective makes the game feel fresh. Instead of exploring and fighting monsters, the action centers around building traps, guarding treasure rooms, and using special powers to block or eliminate threats. Victory isn’t about conquering—it’s about surviving. And doing it together.
During one intense board game session, a group of young players watched their slime army barely survive an attack from a party of sneaky rogues. With only one room left standing and their treasure nearly gone, they managed to turn things around with a perfect combo move involving a lava trap and a summoned guardian. The entire table erupted in cheers—proof that defending can be just as thrilling as attacking.
A Game That Speaks Every Language—Without Saying a Word
One of Keep the Heroes Out!’s smartest features is its card system. Unlike most games that rely on text-heavy cards filled with rules or effects, this game uses no text at all on its cards. Everything is communicated through clean symbols and easy-to-understand icons. That means anyone can pick up and play without needing to know English—or any specific language at all.
This design choice makes it easy for international groups or families with different native languages to enjoy the game together. The rulebook comes in English inside the box but also includes downloadable versions in Portuguese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. By removing language barriers entirely from gameplay itself, it opens doors for more players than ever before.
At a local board game café event last year, two families—one French-speaking and one Spanish-speaking—joined forces for their first round of Keep the Heroes Out! Though they didn’t share a common spoken language well enough for deep conversation, they laughed together as they planned defenses using hand signals and shared understanding through icons alone. The lack of text turned into an unexpected advantage—it brought people closer.
When does Keep the Heroes Out! come out?
The digital version is being developed by YarnCat Games alongside Brueh Games—the team behind the original board game—and will launch on PC and Nintendo Switch on December 9, 2025. Xbox and Meta Quest versions are also planned but will arrive sometime after the initial release window.
The Steam page is already live with “Coming Soon” status for those eager to wishlist it ahead of launch. So far there’s no word on cross-platform play or multiplayer support across devices—but given how faithful this version aims to be toward its tabletop roots, cooperative features are almost certainly part of the plan.
From Board Game Favorite to Digital Frontier
The tabletop version has built up strong support since its release thanks to clever design choices and community-focused development. Suitable for ages 10 and up, it offers enough strategic depth for older players while still being approachable for younger ones.
Players who backed the Kickstarter campaign received expanded content like Boss Battles and Sparkling Guardian packs that added new challenges and characters into the mix. These expansions gave fans more ways to play while keeping sessions fast-paced but meaningful.
The game also caught attention from major reviewers like Better Half Reviews, Rahdo Runs Through, Board Down Under, and The Cardboard Stacker—all praising its creativity and family-friendly fun. That kind of attention helped build momentum leading up to this digital leap.
A Cooperative Experience That Breaks Genre Rules
Dungeon defense games aren’t common—and cooperative ones are even rarer in fantasy settings where most games focus on lone heroes slashing through monsters for glory. Keep the Heroes Out! dares to be different by putting monsters in charge—and giving them something worth protecting.
This approach doesn’t just change how players interact; it changes how they think during play. Communication becomes essential since each player controls different parts of the dungeon with unique powers or tasks. Strategy builds through shared plans instead of solo actions—and success feels earned when everyone works together under pressure.
The visual-only card system could also influence future designers by proving that strong mechanics don’t need words to be deep or engaging. For many players around the world who struggle with English-based games or complex rulebooks filled with small text blocks, this method offers freedom not often found in tabletop gaming—or even video games.
A New Way to Play Is Almost Here
With its upcoming release on PC and Nintendo Switch set for December 9, 2025, Keep the Heroes Out! promises a faithful adaptation that stays true to what made its board game version special: team-based strategy built around defense rather than conquest; visual-first design making it globally accessible; short but satisfying sessions; and an art style packed with charm rather than grit.
The Steam version is available now for wishlisting ahead of launch—and those curious about jumping in early can grab the physical board game today either online or at local shops where it’s often featured among family-friendly favorites with serious strategy depth.
If most fantasy games ask what it’s like to be brave enough to face monsters—what happens when those monsters fight back?
F.A.Q.
When does Keep the Heroes Out! come out?
The digital version of Keep the Heroes Out! is scheduled for release on PC and Nintendo Switch on December 9, 2025. Xbox and Meta Quest versions are planned for a later date.
What platforms is Keep the Heroes Out! available on?
The game will be available on PC and Nintendo Switch starting December 9, 2025. Xbox and Meta Quest versions are also in development and will be released after the initial launch.
What type of game is Keep the Heroes Out!?
Keep the Heroes Out! is a cooperative dungeon defense strategy game where players take on the roles of classic dungeon creatures to defend against invading heroes. It flips the typical dungeon-crawling narrative by focusing on defense rather than offense.
Does Keep the Heroes Out! have multiplayer?
Yes, Keep the Heroes Out! is designed as a cooperative game for 1 to 4 players, emphasizing teamwork and strategic planning as players work together to defend their dungeon.
Is Keep the Heroes Out! suitable for all ages?
The game is recommended for players aged 10 and up, making it suitable for families and groups looking for a strategic yet accessible gaming experience.
Does Keep the Heroes Out! have text-free gameplay?
Yes, one of the unique features of Keep the Heroes Out! is its text-free card system. The game uses symbols and icons to convey rules and actions, making it accessible to players regardless of language proficiency.
What makes Keep the Heroes Out! different from other fantasy games?
Keep the Heroes Out! stands out by reversing the typical roles in fantasy games. Instead of playing as heroes, players act as dungeon defenders, collaborating to protect their treasure from invading adventurers. This shift in perspective offers a fresh and unique gameplay experience.
