Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is a roguelike deckbuilder that mixes the casino game of blackjack with strategy. The goal is to get as close as possible to a score of 21 without overshooting, but instead of being pitted against a dealer, you play against other gamblers and their very own pack of cards. And while you start with just a standard suit, you’ll soon discover cards with increasingly twisted consequences.

Among the special cards you’ll pick up, some may have altered numbers, like the one having a value of 21, or another one turning either into 7 or 8 depending on your needs. Some cards may change the goal to 20, and some will help you regain health. One card will even put an ace up your sleeve. “Isn’t that against the rules?” you might ask. Well no, because among degenerate gamblers who all cheat, your only chance of survival is to be the best cheater.

While chance plays a big role, since the cards you draw are random, your goal is to “make your own luck” by building a strong deck that lets you be resilient and flexible. Every time you win a hand, you gain an “advantage” point, and with these points you can play a card of your choice from your sleeve. You can also see all the played and unused cards, which can help you strategize.

A full run of Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers includes several games against other gamblers and special events between matches to refine your deck. Once you’ve defeated every player in a room, you choose which room to go next. You not only gamble with money, but also with your health, and if you lose all of it, you lose the current run and start anew with a fresh pack of cards.

Each gambler is unique, with their backstory and preferred deck of cards, so unlike real blackjack which is essentially a game of chance, you can learn, strategize, and think your way to a win. Learn how to defeat each gambler, remember which rooms hold the best cards and which are deadly, and find the way to the tavern’s dangerous owner.

This description was written by Sergiu Dumitriu.