Dragon Eclipse doesn’t posture or play coy. You open the box, and it immediately feels like an Awaken Realms title with a lighter heart: clean production, sharp art direction, well-sculpted Mystling minis, and a layout that says “set this up and play – you won’t be fighting with inserts for 20 minutes.”
What stands out first isn’t size or density, but intention. This is a compact 1–2 player game built around exploration, tactical combat, and a creature-taming system that feels familiar in the best way, without being derivative. Dragon Eclipse wants to be approachable, replayable, and something you can get to the table without needing a spreadsheet.
Publisher: Awaken Realms
Designers: Andrzej Betkiewicz, Kamil “Sanex” Cieśla, Wojciech Frelich
Players: 1–2
Playtime: 45–120 minutes
Genre: Narrative Adventure / Tactical Deckbuilder / Creature Taming
Release: 2025
Overview / Core Gameplay
At its heart, Dragon Eclipse blends three things:
- Exploration through story and map cards
- Deck-driven combat using a lane-based timing system
- Taming, upgrading, and evolving Mystlings
You choose a mission, adjust your deck, and head out onto a map that unfolds through quick narrative beats, choices, encounters, and opportunities to upgrade your Mystling. It’s simple to follow but doesn’t feel watered down.
If the idea of taming and evolving creatures sounds a little like Pokémon, you’re not wrong – but Dragon Eclipse handles it with Awaken Realms’ sensibilities. The focus isn’t on collecting everything; it’s on shaping a small team that actually supports your strategy. There’s a comfortable familiarity, but the execution is much more tactical thanks to the lane system, the resource economy, and the fact that the enemy’s intentions are always visible before you choose your cards.
Combat is where the system really locks in. Every card has different effects depending on which slot of the lane you place it in. Early slots are faster but weaker; later slots hit harder but carry risk. Knowing what the enemy is about to do pushes each turn toward careful sequencing rather than blind luck.
The flow is clean: easy to learn, deeper than it first looks, and rewarding once the synergies click.
Mechanics & Flow
Dragon Eclipse succeeds because its systems reinforce each other without becoming overwhelming.
Lane-Based Tactical Combat
Cards aren’t just “play and resolve.” Their position matters. This gives combat a controlled pace and gives you room to plan two or three moves ahead. The lane also creates natural tension – you want the big late effect, but you need to survive long enough to pull it off.
Visible Enemy AI
Every enemy telegraphs its next move.
This completely removes the “gotcha” factor and replaces it with a small tactical puzzle each round. It’s a smart system that rewards planning more than brute force.
Mystling Development
Instead of dozens of creatures, you focus on a small roster. Each Mystling has its own combat style, deck layout, and upgrade path. Taming isn’t “catch and move on” – it genuinely changes how you approach missions.
Exploration
Exploration is handled with short story entries and map cards. It’s not a heavy narrative like Tainted Grail – more like a guided adventure with meaningful but quick decisions. Enough to feel immersive without slowing the pacing.
Multiple Modes
- Campaign mode is the intended experience.
- Roguelite mode gives you a tighter, more replayable loop.
- PvP mode is a bonus – not the main attraction, but a nice option.
The variety helps the game avoid the “one-and-done” trap that some campaign titles fall into.
Theme & Components
Awaken Realms holds its production to a high standard, and Dragon Eclipse maintains that reputation – just in a more contained package.
Art & Theme
The art direction is bright and energetic, with Mystlings that feel distinct without drifting into overly cute territory. The world has personality without needing deep lore dumps.
Miniatures
The Mystling minis are cleanly sculpted, readable on the table, and sized appropriately for a game of this scale. They complement gameplay rather than overshadow it.
Cards & Boosters
The card quality is solid, and the booster pack structure adds a sense of discovery during the campaign. It feels purposeful, not gimmicky.
Box & Layout
The box is manageable, and the layout is clean. You won’t need custom inserts just to make the game playable – a rare and welcome change for an AR title.
Ease of Learning / Accessibility
Dragon Eclipse is easy to learn, especially if you’ve touched deckbuilders or tactical card games before. The tutorial missions walk you through the basics without overstaying their welcome. Most players will grasp the flow within a session.
Who it fits best
- Solo players
- Couples
- Fans of tactical card play
- Players who enjoy creature-development systems
- Anyone wanting a lighter AR experience without losing the studio’s signature depth
Who it might not
- Players wanting 3+ player support
- Anyone who dislikes deck manipulation or tactical sequencing
The game hits a sweet spot: accessible enough for newcomers, with enough nuance to keep experienced players engaged.
The Table Experience
Dragon Eclipse plays smoothly and rarely drags. There aren’t long downtime moments, complicated charts, or bookkeeping interruptions – each turn flows into the next.
The most engaging part is how quickly you start caring about your Mystling’s growth. When a new upgrade turns a creature’s entire combat rhythm around, it’s noticeable and satisfying.
Co-op decisions feel collaborative rather than argumentative, and the game creates a steady sense of forward momentum. Whether you’re barely surviving a tough encounter or lining up a clean, well-timed combo finish, the experience feels consistent and intentional.
It’s fun in a way that doesn’t rely on spectacle – just solid design choices coming together.
Final Thoughts / Verdict
Dragon Eclipse is a focused, well-built adventure that delivers a strong 1–2 player experience without slipping into bloat. It combines creature-taming, tactical combat, and light exploration in a way that feels familiar but elevated by Awaken Realms’ mechanical polish.
It’s approachable, replayable, and surprisingly refined for a studio known for much bigger, heavier games.
With the next Dragon Eclipse campaign set to launch on Gamefound in just a few days, this feels like the right moment to jump in if you’re interested. Awaken Realms is expanding the world with new missions, Mystlings, and content, and if the core experience speaks to you, the upcoming campaign is worth keeping an eye on.
Summary
Dragon Eclipse is one of Awaken Realms’ most focused and accessible designs – a tight, tactical co-op adventure with real depth and a creature-taming system that makes each session feel personal.
Pros
- Clean tactical combat system
- Strong creature progression
- Easy to learn and quick to get into
- Multiple modes increase replayability
Cons
- Strictly a 1–2 player game
- Deck management might not appeal to everyone
