Mancalero

Mancalero is a roguelike built on Mancala, one of the oldest board games in the world. The rules are simple: pick one of your pits, scoop up its marbles and drop them one by one into the pits that follow. Drop the last one in your store and you go again. Drop it in an empty pit of yours and you capture the pit across from it.

Then the marbles get powers. Fire burns marbles on the other side of the board, Multiply doubles a whole pit, a Black Hole swallows the pits beside it. Plan a move so they go off together, chain your extra turns, and one move can score millions.

Each run is a climb through 8 tables. Every match has a score target: each point you score drains it, and emptying it wins the match. Between matches, spend your winnings in The Bazaar on new marbles and Blessings that bend the rules. Each table ends with a boss that changes how the game plays. Lose a match and the run ends with new unlocks: start again with a new pouch, a new shop and everything you’ve learned as you aim to become the true Mancalero!

Build your pouch of special marbles — each with its own effect when sown. Lightning chains. Fire burns enemy marbles. Glass scales points rapidly, then shatters. The deeper you go, the stranger your collection gets.

There are two ways to win a match: drain your opponent’s Score Target to zero, or have more marbles in your Mancala storehouse when one side of the board runs out.

Spend your winnings in the Bazaar on new marbles, powerful Blessings, and Embroidery patches that bend the rules in your favour.

Each table ends with a Boss that changes how the game is played — not always just a harder fight, but a different one. Learn them or lose to them. If you win, you may still receive a curse!

The right marble synergies can produce scores that were never supposed to exist. Find the combos. Push the multipliers. See how high the numbers go!

GAME CONTENTS

• 8 full Tables — each with 2 matches and a boss encounter

• 15+ marble types, including Glass, Lightning, Multiply, Thief, Boomerang, Black Hole and more

• 15+ Blessings to collect

• Set Bonuses — hidden synergies between your Blessings and marbles

• Embroidery Patches — shop upgrades that modify prices, slots and scoring

• Endless Mode — unlocked after clearing Table 8

• Different pouches to start your run with, each changing your starting marbles and upgrades — some must be unlocked first!

 STARTING TIPS

• Your Mancala storehouse is the large pit on the right — landing your last marble there earns a free extra turn.

• Combos multiply your score. Landing specials (Multiply, Gold, Lightning) back-to-back is stronger than spreading them out.

• Pay attention to how your opponent plays: mistakes and habits can be exploited and punished.

• The Beginner’s Pouch starts you with two Embroidery Patches already equipped — a strong choice to push for Endless once it’s unlocked.

• Check the Compendium to track what you’ve discovered and learn how each marble type works.

 FAQ

Is progress saved between runs? Unlocks (such as new Pouch types) persist across runs. Score history is also saved locally.

What is Endless Mode? After clearing Table 8, you continue facing versions of previous enemies and bosses with progressive scaling. 

Is there controller or mobile support? Yes! The game runs on Mouse and Keyboard and also has support for controllers. SteamDeck support and verification are on the docket.