Into the Depths: Roguelite City Builder Launches Demo with Visual Overhaul
BELGRADE, Serbia – March 23, 2026 – SmelJey Games has released an updated demo for its roguelite city builder, Into the Depths, introducing a complete visual overhaul, a new perk system, and an updated progression tree. The game blends the strategic depth of city building with the unpredictable nature of a roguelite card game, all set within a mysterious subterranean world.
Gameplay and Core Mechanics
Into the Depths challenges players to establish settlements in the dark caves of the Depths, focusing on resource management and strategic planning. Players must mine minerals and unlock new cards through a research system to expand their underground cities. Survival hinges on careful resource allocation, as depleting food supplies will force a restart.
The game encourages players to spend gathered minerals on permanent upgrades and discover powerful building synergies to overcome the challenges of the underworld.
What’s New in the Demo
The updated demo, offering approximately 60-120 minutes of gameplay, features several key improvements:
- Complete Visual Overhaul: Enhanced graphics and aesthetics.
- New Perk System: Adds new layers of customization and strategic options.
- Updated Progression Tree: Provides a more engaging and rewarding sense of advancement.
- Three Unique Biomes: Players can explore diverse environments, each presenting unique dangers and challenges.
- Atmospheric Soundtrack: Immersive audio enhances the subterranean experience.
- Localization: The demo is localized into 11 languages, including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.
Availability and Launch Timeline
Into the Depths is currently available as a demo on Steam. The full game is scheduled to launch in Q2 2026.
About SmelJey Games
SmelJey is an independent game developer based in Belgrade, Serbia, specializing in the development of Into the Depths. Prior to this project, SmelJey developed several smaller WebGL games on the itch.io platform. You can discover SmelJey on Instagram and YouTube, as well as Bluesky.
What is Into the Depths?
Into the Depths is described as a roguelite city builder where players colonize a mysterious underworld. The game combines turn-based city building with card game mechanics, requiring players to explore caves and manage depleting resources to survive. Steam describes the game as a challenge to overcome dangers and claim the riches of the Depths.