Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers review

Occasionally, a game concept is so ingenious that it spawns a new sub-genre. Undoubtedly, that was the case for Luck Be a Lordlord, where players could add symbols to traditional slot machine play, thereby altering the odds in their favor. Not long after, Balatro combined deckbuilding with poker, while Bingle Bingle injected roguelike elements into roulette. With Purple Moss Collectors’ Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, blackjack becomes the latest casino game to get the overhaul. Like most of the aforementioned titles, it’s shockingly addictive, at least once you understand its nuances.

Degenerate Gamblers game of blackjack is deviously designed. Here, you’re not just playing for chips. Instead, you begin a run with a hundred hit points and take on a succession of vagabonds that range from drunks, bards, witches, to rats. Each will have anywhere from 20 to 66 points of health and will stand at anywhere between 13 and 17 points.

Playing with Your Life

Every time someone wins a hand without their rival busting, they deal damage equal to the difference in card totals. So, scoring 19 while your opponent stands at 16 subtracts three points from your rival’s heath. But if someone goes over 21, the penalty is the score for their entire hand, which can be absolutely devasting, forcing you to play cautiously. Naturally, Gamblers inserts a bit of temptation, with special cards that only activate if you decide to hit.

Across each run, you’ll unlock some of Gamblers’ 307 unique cards, which demonstrate a wealth of creativity. While many of them are standard playing cards, others come from a variety of different games, referencing everything from Pokémon’s Charmander, a PlayStation One memory card, loyalty rewards, transit passes, and even tarot. There are even social security, library, business, and index cards, many drawn with dog-eared edges and bits of wear.

While there are some simple ones, like the credit card that provides negative eleven points, others are complex, with effects changing if you play the card or discard it. Additional variety is rooted in your starting deck. When you hit 21, you have access to suits that deal, deal additional damage, or provide shielding and chips. The latter are used to purchase additional cards and perks during a run.

Counting Cards and Concerns

Like many of its peers, once you get into Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, the game can sink its underhanded hooks into you, as you cheat your way to victory. But for some players, getting to the point where you can seize every duplicitous advantage won’t be immediate.

Part of the issue is that the game doesn’t offer any kind of tutorial, beyond an introductory battle that provides your first selection of rewards. While the sizable “Hit” and “Stand” buttons in the middle of the playfield have obvious functions, knowing when to use the mini-deck on the bottom of the screen isn’t as apparent.

Adding to this issue is the game’s reluctance to explain the ambiguously named “Advantage” system. Essentially, to use any of the non-traditional blackjack perks, you’ll need to use points. One last issue: you’ll encounter opponents who utilize cards that can instantly alter the game, doing things like changing your score. Although you’re able to securitize their deck and perceive the advantage, executing a counterstrategy isn’t always easy when the deal is randomized and a suitable card hasn’t been unlocked yet.

Hit or Stand on Degenerate Gamblers?

These blemishes aside, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers undoubtedly exhibits charm. Sure, the pixelated artwork might not flaunt much fidelity, but the dog-eared, tattered cards convey the ambiance of a seedy gambling den. And while a bit of interactive coaching would have been appreciated, if you’ve played Balatro, you’ll be able to acclimate quickly. And pleasingly, it plays well on Steam Deck, allowing you to gratify your gambling fix on the go.

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher