71%Strong matchROUNDS
95%45k95% positive reviews, Overwhelmingly Positive across 45k reviews·Multiplayer · Fighting
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Challenge your friends in this local-multiplayer 1v1 2D-Arena-Shooter and let it escalate by choosing buffs and nerfs for your deck.
Escalating Duel
SteamEscalating Duel is local-multiplayer 1v1 2D-Arena-Shooter with deck-building elements. After each round the contestants add a card to their deck of upgrades. As the match goes on the madness escalates as the decks get thicker.
It's local-multiplayer, so grab a friend - first to 5 rounds wins the match! Everyone can play - simple controls make it easy to get into. Battle with friends and family on a single keyboard or pick up gamepads and let it escalate!
You can improve your deck with over 50+ cards. The cards vary from bouncing bullets to wild effects like lightning striking the map. In classic rogue-like fashion you can re-roll your options too.
Not only upgrade cards can be drawn. Instead you can also select cards to weaken or annoy your opponent, for example with the "Pogo" card that forces the opponent to keep jumping or worsens their aim. BE MEAN!

There are 20+ maps playable. Each comes with a unique gimmic, like a pit of lava, a giant escalator or teleporters.

The game includes 20+ skins and allows changing your color and player name.
Want more rounds, more rerolls or only want to play one map? Custom match settings allow playing the way you like.
Steam data © 2026 Valve Corporation. Trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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The best games like Escalating Duel are ROUNDS, Duelists of Eden, Friends vs Friends, INVERSUS Deluxe, and Sclash.
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