‘We’re doing something a bit more interesting’: All Will Rise dev says its progressive deck-builder shouldn’t be dumped in the ‘woke, liberal bucket’
All Will Rise is a progressive deck-builder developed by writer Meghna Jayanth, known for 80 Days, Sable, and Thirsty Suitors. The game combines complex card mechanics with interactive fiction elements, allowing players to succeed largely through intuitive play—selecting cards that feel right rather than following strict strategic paths.
The game features an even split between card-based battles with reactive dialogue and choice-driven conversations set against lavish illustrations. Players navigate politically and socially charged scenarios, including interactions involving environmental damage, legal action, media criticism, and metaphysical encounters. Jayanth’s direct, lyrical writing style infuses the game with emotional resonance and thematic depth.
According to the developer, All Will Rise shouldn’t be reduced to simplistic political categorization as merely “woke” or “liberal.” The game aspires to offer something more nuanced and interesting than surface-level ideology—a genuine exploration of complex social and political themes integrated into its mechanics and narrative rather than a straightforward vehicle for propaganda. A three-hour demo showcased how the game’s layered design enables both strategic depth and intuitive play, creating an engaging experience that meaningfully blends card game mechanics with narrative-driven interactive fiction.