Olek takes place in a violent world with a strange weapon of choice - CARDS!

Olek is a mixture of a roguelike (or rogue-lite if you're getting picky :P) and a card game. You collect cards which you throw and use as your weapons. All cards have different stats and effects. Some do damage, some stun the enemy, some give shields, and some unlock chests. All the enemies are represented by cards too, which show above their heads when you hold [space]. They have an attack value, and their health, which taking all of it away kills the enemy. The enemies also throw cards, dealing damage equal to their attack stat.

The player's goal is to clear all areas of these violent enemies and return to their home to move on to the next area. Most levels take place in the warm, dry, lands in Olek's world, but every third stage will be in a colder icy area. In the second ice land lives a large mutated dragon-like enemy which when defeated gives a key to a golden chest with some bonus health.

After each area, Olek is given a chance to choose between some bonuses which can give him extra health or some powerful cards to start the next stage with.