Digital games publisher Rogue Games is launching Knockdown Heroes, a new free-to-play mobile strategy game on iOS and Android.

The title from Czech Republic-based studio Craneballs mixes top-down 1-on-1 arena-battling action with medieval hero card-based collecting in a fight for survival.

Rogue Games CEO Mike Delaet said in an interview that his company will be launching a number of new mobile games in 2020. Knockdown Heroes is leading the way.

Players collect and choose from nine medieval heroes, each with their own skills and fighting styles, then compete against friends or other players to climb the league leaderboard and lead your clan to victory. The victorious collect trophies, skills, buffs, and spells from battles and chests, unlocking upgrades and new abilities that can be used to customize their heroes and compete in league play.

Image Credit: Rogue Games

Craneballs previously made the hardcore shooter Overkill series. But this game is lighthearted, with a focus on intuitive controls, a fun cast of characters, and a rich strategic experience where discovering the right combination of each is key to winning, Rogue Games said.

Additionally, players can create or join a clan, chat with friends, and battle other clans for dominance in league play. Clan chat rooms enable players to discuss battle strategy, ask clan members for assistance or challenge teammates in friendly PvP combat.

Jan “Cefo” Cefelin, cofounder of Craneballs, said in a statement that the inspiration for the game came while telling the team about a conversation with his young son about ancient gladiators. Things quickly strayed from historical fact to creating fictional gladiator personae.