Traumatarium; Deckulus
a Solo Dungeon Crawler Card Game
Last week, I finally received a game I backed on Kickstarter a while ago: Traumatarium Deckulus. It’s a solo dungeon crawler card game, and I couldn’t wait to dive in.
First Impressions
The art is gorgeous, the setup is simple, and the gameplay is smooth. Right out of the box, I felt this was going to be one of those games you can pick up and play in just a few minutes.
About the Creator
The game was designed by Horatiu Radoiu, an art director from New York. He originally started building the world of Traumatarium during the pandemic by making Game Boy games.
He wanted to create something that combined quick play, strong visual design, and the kind of worldbuilding he had already explored in his digital projects. By collaborating with some of his favorite artists, Traumatarium Deckulus was born.
How It Plays
Setup couldn’t be easier. You need:
A deck of cards (the core of the game)
A hero card
A few dice (D6s, and optionally a D20)
A tracker
From there, gameplay is straightforward: reveal a card each turn, resolve what happens, and keep going until you face a boss. The deck I received includes two different bosses, each with unique abilities. The game ends when you defeat the boss—or when your hero falls.
Games typically last 5–10 minutes, making it perfect for quick sessions. There’s no heavy rulebook or steep learning curve—just shuffle, play, and see how long you can survive.
The Art & Design
What really sets this game apart is the art direction. Each card feels unique, thanks to contributions from multiple artists. Dungeon cards and monster cards are clearly labeled, but their designs vary in typography, style, and texture. All of them even look slightly aged or scratched, giving the whole deck a gritty, lived-in dungeon-crawl aesthetic.
The cards themselves are high-quality and satisfying to handle. Combined with the diverse artwork, they make every draw feel exciting and immersive.
Final Thoughts
Traumatarium Deckulus is exactly the kind of compact, thematic solo game I love. It’s quick, visually striking, and endlessly replayable. I’ve been really happy with this purchase, and I’m looking forward to exploring more of the world Horatou Redou has created.
I’ll share a few photos of the cards below so you can see the visuals for yourself—but trust me, they look even better in person.
That art is SICK hot damn.