Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers: A High-Stakes Blackjack Game

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is a new card game out now on Steam that takes the classic game of blackjack and turns it into a high-stakes, roguelike adventure.

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers: A High-Stakes Blackjack Game

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is a new card game out now on Steam that takes the classic game of blackjack and turns it into a high-stakes, roguelike adventure. At first glance, it seems like a simple premise: beat opponents in blackjack games to progress through the game. But as you delve deeper, you’ll discover a complex web of strategy and luck that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Core Idea

The core idea of Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is simple. It’s a roguelike where players have to beat opponents in blackjack games. The basic rules are the same, with players trying to get as close to 21 without going over. They can stay or hit — the most fundamental bit of risk-reward design in perhaps all of games.

The Twist

Of course, there’s a twist — a lot of them, actually. Like Balatro, players slowly augment their standard deck with wacky cards, passive boosts, and playable effects. Some of those are easy to understand. A “Big 2” card can either be played as a two or a 12, while negative cards run the count down. Others are significantly more complex (and often very funny). The “Gerald of Riviera” card destroys one of the opponent’s played cards, all while poking fun at The Witcher. “Charred Lizard” looks a lot like Charizard’s original Pokémon card. It can either be played as a 10 or sold to the opponent’s discard pile for 10 chips.

A screenshot of the game, showing a player’s hand and the opponent’s hand

The Combat Hook

Opponents aren’t just playing hands to win chips. Winning a round causes damage to the opponent equal to the number difference between the final hands (a 21 versus an 18 will result in the loser getting hit for three HP). If one player goes bust, they take the full amount of their opponent’s hand in damage. It’s a genius dynamic that ratchets the tension of blackjack up even more. Going bust isn’t just a matter of losing one hand; it could lead to some devastating damage. When an opponent stays at a high number like 20, it can be much safer to stay at 16 and take four damage rather than pull a bad card and take 20.

A screenshot of the game, showing a player’s health and the opponent’s health

Conclusion

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is a game that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its unique blend of strategy and luck, it’s a game that will appeal to fans of blackjack and roguelikes alike. So if you’re looking for a new challenge, be sure to check out Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers on Steam.