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Watch trailer on Steam ↗Anode Heart: Layer Null
Stove Powered Games · Published by Stove Powered Games · Official site ↗
Very Positive — 92% positive (234 reviews) · 28 achievements
Last updated 28 Sept 2026
Isometric card battler RPG with a touch of virtual creatures, set in a futuristic, digital world, with over-the-top villains and a very shadowy plot.
£13.49
Lowest price we've ever recorded
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Price history
Indie, RPG · 2025 · More £5 - £15 games
Anode Heart: Layer Null is an indie RPG where you command virtual creatures in epic battles across a futuristic digital world, unraveling shadows that lurk around every corner.
About this game
Anode Heart: Layer Null is a side-game spinoff to the monster tamer game of Anode Heart. This game focuses on the vastly expanded card game combat, deckbuilding and becoming the No. 1 card master on the Server.
You play as Blank, a new player in the Duel Server, an in-between Layer of the Systems where everything is decided by Card Games. As you rise through the Server Ranks, you will start encountering the Shadowed, members of a mysterious organization with an unknown, but most probably evil goal.
[ ! ] There are reoccurring characters and references to the first Anode Heart installment, but it's not necessary to know them in order to enjoy this game.
Game features:
* Unique card battling system
* Local (and direct connection) PvP
* 500+ cards to collect and play with
* 12 unique levels and card bosses
* New story and characters
* Tama monster DNA collection
* an Isometric Gameboy/PSX vibe
Card game minigame from Anode Heart is now expanded into its own game, with 10 new booster packs, re-balanced card sets and refurbished rules and mechanics. There are card bosses and Tama you can fight through the card game, and a tournament ranking style system.
This is the second game in the Anode Heart universe, serving as a bridge to the Sequel that will take place on the far side of Zearth, after the ending of the first game. [Layer Null] is set in a new Layer, with focus now entirely on the card game and a new plot surrounding it. There's a new cast of characters, but you may recognize a few familiar faces and names. I've carried over the lessons I learned through the release of my first game, so whether you're new to the A:H universe or a Virtual-slaying Veteran, I hope you'll enjoy this one as well!
- Sto
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- OS *: Windows 8, 10 or 11
- Processor: 1.1 GHz Processor
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Integrated graphics
- Storage: 500 MB available space
Supported Languages
*languages with full audio support
Latest news
Patch NotesOfficial
v1.1.2 .: Upgrade Patch :.
Hello everyone, In this patch, I've upgraded the game's engine to the latest version, which should reduce the number of area transition crashes by a significant amount. The rendering engine has also been switched to 'Compatibility' which should make the game run on a wider range of hardware. If you are experiencing any issues due to these changes, please let me know in the comments! We also have the Indonesian language in the game now (big thanks to Nivalyx!) and two new features: - Deck Import/Export functions, which allow you to easily export your deck into a file and share it online - Card and NPC deck modding And some fixes & tweaks: - Surrender enabled at any time (no longer need to wait for your turn) - Fix recycling effects breaking hand limit - Fix Anurot/Magmafir interaction - Fix wrong RNG seeding (bug was Burrie redrawing itself with its effect) - Quest tabs color fix .: Quick modding info :. To mod cards, create a folder called `cards` in the same directory as the game's save files. You will need to know the json card definition structure, and the card's ID (which is in 99% cases just its name without spaces, e.g. Cardee -> Cardee.json, Card Drive -> CardDrive.json) Here's the json definition for `Cardee`: https://pastebin.com/rFjGcggs The rest I'll be sharing in the Discord, where I'll also be answering any questions the community will have about modding. Hopefully we'll see some interesting card/npc modpacks! Let me know if you have any feedback or questions in the comments below, or in the Discord. Thank you!Read full article on Community Announcements (stove)Patch NotesOfficial
v1.1.1 tiny QoL/tweaks patch
Hello everyone, and Happy New Year !The biggest change in this patch is the (controller) cursor snap in battle and deck editor. There have been reports of strange issues with it on the Steam Deck, but with the new 16:10 resolution options (and one such resolution should be on by default now) it should hopefully work fine. However, if you still notice something strange, please report in the comments below or in the Discord.Changelog:Battle: Remaining cards in deck (sorted) can be viewed now by clicking on the deck iconAdded rarity and owned counts on card rewards screenAdded controller cursor snap (on by default, can be turned off in settings)Added 16:10 resolutions in options if game is run on Steam DeckFixed Scrap Barrel description and effectGl hf!Read full article on Community Announcements (stove)Patch NotesOfficial
v1.1 content (new zone) + improvements patch
Hello everyone, here's a changelog for v1.1; This is a postgame content update patch with some additional fixes, tweaks and improvements. If you notice anything wrong, please let me know in the comments below or in the Discord. Thank you! New Content & Features: * New (postgame) Zone (Spoiler: once you get at least 1 Gold Star, visit Analog Town central square and you'll see someone there) * 1 full card pack (42 cards) + a couple of extra cards * New Game+ (unlocked on title screen if you have a postgame save) * New deck test screen in the deck editor with instant opening hand preview QoL: * Added owner Tama name to descriptions of cards generated as triggers * New battle BGs for Server 2/3 and Elec Zone * Hide mouse if joystick is in use * Fusing unlocks and gives you 1 copy of the fused card (instead of just marking it as available in the Album) New cards: * Thousand Swords (slightly nerfed version from the one used by the boss, obtainable from Willie) * End Hand (reward from the boss, added automatically if you beat him already) Card changes: * Cards that gained "Breaks Protect": Beelet, Arrow Shot, Charkoala, Molarth, Jakull * Power Parts -> added discard cost * Max Toxee -> HP changed to 5, trigger changed to (regular) Virus Inject Happy holidays and gl hf !Read full article on Community Announcements (stove)Patch NotesOfficial
v1.0.2, tiny fixes and improvements patch
Hello everyone, here's a changelog for v1.0.2: QoL and fixes: * Added a Battle speed-up button * Card description (in battle) now shows Fusion's description when a Fusion is available * Vixee DNA automatically added if you go beyond 3 stars and you missed Vixel's tutorial * Rainbow Gate achievement fix * Armor font fix * Jump evolution ("can directly evolve to ...") can now be seen in card description (2nd page) * Updated a couple of old card thumbs (`Leaf Trap` most prominently) * Tweaks to Shadowed fights and gauntlets (tweaked decks and rewards) Card changes: * Cheese -> on delete: foe draws 1 * Raging Armadile -> added bonus +1/+1 Gl hf!Read full article on Community Announcements (stove)Patch NotesOfficial
v1.0.1 small QoL/tweaks patch
Hello everyone, I hope you've had fun with v1.0! This patch brings a couple of new settings options, bugfixes and some card tweaks for underused cards and others. + Changelog + New Settings options: * Energy Rule -> control whether 0-energy slots can or can't be overwritten with a new energy type * Mulligan -> control whether the mulligan happens always or only on hands with no playable Tama (default) QoL: * Added turn/phase pass indicator * Added labels on new cards in booster pack opening screen and rewards screen * Fixed mulligan check * Added 'overkill' in battles - if you damage foe's life multiple times when it's already 0, you gain extra bits at the end of battle * Right-click on cards in deck will now scroll to the page in the album where that card is Card changes: * Acorn -> gives +1 HP bonus too * Charcoal -> gives +1 BP bonus too * Toy Heart -> gives +3 HP now, and -1 HP bonus * Larvee / Flaming Larvee / Hibi / Icy Larvee / Taple -> give energy On Revive too * Saplee -> On Revive: gains +1 HP * Shrubee -> On Revive: gains +1 BP * Wire Cut -> works on Tama with 2 or less BP now * Toxica -> can evolve from Spiderweb now * Automato -> no bonus Notable bugfixes: * Fixed Vixee DNA shard gain when Heart Patch is used on Neutral Tama * Factory Reset removes Frost now as well * Square Board invisible Tama fixes If you notice any bugs or oddities, please let me know in the comments below or in the Discord. Thank you!Read full article on Community Announcements (stove)
