Following on from the success of Balatro earlier on this year, there’s a new deckbuilding game here to scratch that roguelike itch. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is a fresh take on the roguelike genre, where players navigate through a seedy tavern filled with gambling-addicted townspeople challenging them in increasingly bizarre games of Blackjack in order to progress.
Hit me!
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers’ premise is simple yet captivating. Players begin their adventure in a tavern that’s home to a corrupted version of blackjack. As they progress, they must adapt to the rules and challenge a colourful cast of characters, each addicted to the game of blackjack in their own way. The goal is to create a unique deck, combining standard playing cards with an array of unconventional ones, such as tarot cards, business cards, and even birthday cards.
What sets Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers apart is its blend of strategy and chance. Players must choose their cards wisely, balancing the suits’ benefits—like hearts for healing or clubs for extra damage—while also managing their deck to ensure the best odds of winning each blackjack duel. The game promises over 250 unique cards and 60 characters to defeat, offering a vast array of strategies and playstyles.
The game’s pixel art aesthetic and the promise of a risk-free gambling experience add to its charm. It’s a nod to the classic RPGs of the past, with a modern twist that appeals to both nostalgic gamers and those seeking something new. The developers, Purple Moss Collectors, have crafted an experience that’s as much about the luck of the draw as it is about strategic thinking.
Ante up!
You start off with the Hearts deck that allows you to heal up when you score 21. It’s a good balance for starting the game as I found healing rooms a little few and far between, especially considering how much damage you can end up taking if you go bust. It’s a difficult balance in roguelites, but I think there could be a few more healing options as you progress.
After your first run, you then have access to the 4 basic decks – of which spades was my favourite – and by beating the game you can unlock even more decks. Individual cards are also unlocked as you pick them up on runs, so experimenting with new builds and synergies is highly encouraged! It might not work on your current run, but making things available going forward might make your next run broken.
During my playtime I’ve won a handful of runs. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is much more similar to Slay the Spire in terms of progression than Balatro. There are a lot of mechanics and a lot of different cards that seem quite difficult to use, meaning you’re likely to ruin a run picking up something just to realise it does not work they way you thought. I don’t mind this in a deckbuilder, but it’s definitely a watch out for new players!
An Ace in the Hole
As a huge fan of deckbuilders, I can easily see Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers becoming part of my regular Steam Deck gaming sessions at the local pub, alongside both Slay the Spire and Balatro. There are 4 extra difficulty modifiers to refine your strategies in, and I’m looking forward to unlocking all of the decks and picking my favourite.
For newcomers to the genre, there are some things I think could be explained a little bit better, especially given the huge amount of cards to chose from. The cards extra effects are all highlighted when you hover over the card, but I after reading some of them I still wasn’t sure what some things did. You’ll also spend a lot of time losing purely because you don’t find synergy in card rewards, or because you don’t find a healing room on the way through the club.
If you are a fan of deckbuilders it’s very easy to recommend Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers. For newcomers, I’d still recommend, just try not to get overwhelmed with the huge amount of info thrown at you as you gamble you way through the tavern!
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers releases on Steam on the 8th of August 2024. Gamer Social Club received a review code from the developer
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