Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers PS5 Review - A Brilliant Black Jack Balatro-like

Console lovers and card players can celebrate now that another addictive deckbuilding roguelike catering to gambling has surfaced on the PSN store. This Black Jack focused roguelike deckbuilder known as Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers debuts on PS5 in all it's Balatro inspired glory! Brought to us by indie publisher Yogcast Games Limited. 

Through Black Jack basics and reimagined rules the experience takes you, the designated gambler, from table to table and floor to floor as you place bets against an army of ante up aficionadoes. There's a lot at stake though as you gamble it all through traditional, and not-so-traditional Black Jack means. Whether you opt to take a hit or stand with your current draw you'll need to weigh your deck hand, and chips as you battle against the best in the biz.

Utilizing premade suit specific decks with additional cards consisting of over 300 unique designs, an ID that doubles as your health and shield monitor, and colored chips of various functions you are tasked with taking on 60 gamblers with their own gimmicks in tow. With a HIT and STAND button before you, and table shared between you both, you will aim to outplay your adversary without busting. The standard goal of reaching a 21 Black Jack stands, but only to a certain extent. As cards you buy with chips earned from battles, or steal from opponents will add advantage points that can be spent to offset a turn or to enhance your own hand. Synergy of course matters as the effects of some non-traditional cards will change the rules of play, drastically. 

Initially you begin battling against your first opponent while learning the rules. This will teach you that your designated 21 card acts as the means with which to calculate which suits you play do what. Each suit, be it hearts, spades, diamonds, or clubs come with bonus perks when you hit 21 Black Jack. This can do anything from heal to deal bonus damage to an opponent. This in tandem with your ID which tracks how much heart health or shields you have left guides your plays as you use cards from your deck. Choosing HIT will allow the drawing of a new card with it's own risks and advantages while choosing to STAND can alternatively save you from a bust which can negatively effect heart health or shields. Knowing when to HIT or when to STAND is only half of the battle.

Along with your ID, and 21 card you will gain access to an Advantage chip, and a food decorated Chip with a bonus effect that will carry over to all encounters. That and lucky charms with their own special additions to gameplay mechanics complete your build.The Advantage chip, in particular, allows you to exploit both your and your opponent's hands using non-traditional cards with added effects, but only when specific cards are in play, and when you have the Advantage points to spend on them. These bonus effect inclusive cards often times come with trigger requirements as well as beneficial and adverse effects that must be taken into account towards your goal of reaching as close to 21 Black Jack as possible or not busting. All until you've depleted the opponent of their health and shields, and won their chips.

Standard chips that are won can be spent in randomized gambling events separate from the set Black Jack rules that are optionally chosen after a battle or in shops/taverns. Choosing said events allows you to play other gambling type games, and mini-games for chances at obtaining betters cards that best compliment your current deck build, and the synergy you are going for. Random events include everything from enjoying a multiple choice alcoholic beverage binge, to playing Old Maid, Roulette, Slots, to an attempt at Waking a Sofa Sleeper. Sometimes these events also allow you to discard, trade, or enhance current cards in your deck. Aside from that with each win you'll not only score bonus chips for spending, but will get to pick from one of four free cards with one being a paid for face down reveal. That and game changing Tarot cards made available after a floor is completed. Afterwards you transition your floor path to a new gambling spot, be it the basement, a VIP Lounge or any other host of Black Jack tournaments with their own set of gamblers and card based gimmicks included.

Playthrough-wise you'll need to maintain your health and shields as you face-off against the set amount of opponents on each floor. Taking advantage of the event breaks and rewards thereafter. Your main goal being to best all opponents of all floors as you climb your way to the top, building your deck to your liking. Synergy is king, of course, and rules matter as you gamble away your everything.

The Presentation ...

Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers does not shy away from it's Balatro influence. It's a very similar design, visually, with pixel art that brings the unorthodox cards to light as you play a basic card game in ways that were never meant to be. You'll find hints of various card designs such as those from MTG, Pokemon, and even a PlayStation memory card to name a few. The added ID avatar customization adds a layer of personalization to the experience. In the way of a soundtrack I can't recall anything special, but the card dealing sounds and effect sounds are there as well. Much like they were in Balatro.

The Verdict ...

As it stands Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is the next evolution in Balatro-likes. It is gambling stakes amplified, infinitely. The replay value is immense, and the fun to be had dealt in spades. It is a brilliant spin on the Black Jack card game, and manages to innovate on roguelike deckbuilding mechanics that were already established among indie developers. For fans of Balatro this is a must have! For anyone into the roguelike deckbuilding genre this is also a worthy edition to your PS5 library. It is addiction personified. Just don't waste away playing it and you'll be alright.