Iris and the Giant

Lore & Background

The game was inspired by Louis Rigaud's experiences creating interactive papercraft books for children. Post-launch updates were planned to add features such as gamepad support and UI improvements based on player feedback.

The plot begins with the main character being dropped off at a swimming lesson, where she struggles to jump into a pool while children laugh at her. This scene serves as a metaphor for the game's exploration of depression and anxiety. The character Iris later finds herself on the river Styx, which in this game is depicted not as the mythological connection between the living and the underworld, but as a land distinguishing 'the real from the imaginary.' Iris fights her way up a structure where each floor represents her inner demons.

Gameplay starts with a limited deck of attack and defense cards used in combat on a grid. Weapons include axes that attack all enemies in the front row and swords usable sequentially if multiple are in the deck. Upon death, the game restarts but rewards the player with new cards and abilities. There are 51 cards to earn and around 45 enemy types, some of which can steal cards or grant benefits. The game twists the roguelike card genre by linking attack cards to specific enemy demons; defeating a demon with a 'steal' card yields more of that card. Powerful cards from boss monsters include the Feline Bow, obtained by defeating a Giant Cat Archer with a steal card.

Reader's Guide

Iris and the Giant received limited attention from video game critics at its release. However, a reviewer for Buried Treasure compared it favorably to the deck-building game Meteorfall: Journeys, noting that while the reviewer had struggled to engage with other deck-building games like Slay The Spire or Darkest Dungeon, Iris and the Giant evoked similar positive feelings as Meteorfall. The game's significance lies in its blending of card-based mechanics with a roguelike structure and a narrative that metaphorically addresses mental health struggles. Its legacy is as a niche title that found resonance with players seeking a deck-building game with a personal, introspective story. The game's design, inspired by interactive papercraft books, and its unique card-stealing mechanic distinguish it within the genre.

Did You Know?

• The game was inspired by the developer's experiences creating interactive papercraft books for children.
• There are 51 cards to earn and around 45 different types of enemies in the game.
• Defeating a Giant Cat Archer with a steal card gives the player a Feline Bow that prevents attacks from cat-headed demons.
• The river Styx in the game is depicted as the land that distinguishes 'the real from the imaginary.'