The digital version of The Red Cathedral is now available to play for free on Steam for a limited time through its demo. Independent developer and publisher Devir has opened access to the game for 12 days, with the free Steam demo remaining available until September 6. The full The Red Cathedral: Digital Edition is scheduled to launch this fall on PC, Android, and iOS, with support for cross-platform play for one to four players.
Created by Sheila Santos and Israel Cendrero, the original physical board game has sold more than 100,000 copies since its 2020 release. The digital adaptation brings its strategic resource-management gameplay to PC and mobile platforms, allowing players to compete to construct a cathedral and earn the favor of the Tsar.
The Red Cathedral Brings Strategy and Resource Management to Steam
In The Red Cathedral: Digital Edition, players take control of competing teams of architects working on a major cathedral construction project. Each player must claim different sections, gather the necessary materials, and carefully manage resources to build and decorate their chosen parts of the monument.
Strategy also extends beyond construction. Players must consider the influence of the clergy and the city’s various guilds while competing for prestige. Once the cathedral is complete, the player with the highest prestige is declared the winner.
The game can be played solo or with others, featuring local and online multiplayer alongside cross-platform competition. Solo players can face a dedicated AI across three difficulty levels, while the digital edition also includes a step-by-step tutorial designed to help newcomers learn the mechanics.
Devir has described the game as a faithful adaptation of the original board game, with expanded artwork and the convenience of digital multiplayer. Players will be able to play on PC or Steam Deck through Steam, as well as on Android and iOS devices.
The original game has previously received recognition as a nominee for the 2021 Tric Trac d’Or and a finalist in the 2021 Board Game Quest Awards for Best Strategy Game. With the free demo now live, players have until September 6 to try the digital adaptation before its planned fall release.
