Roguelites are a fast-growing niche in the gaming market that share similar mechanics to gambling products. As in classic casino games like poker, slots, and roulette, roguelites rely on a system of risk-reward randomness. Let’s take a look at some of the most creative and entertaining gambling-themed roguelites available to play now.
First of all, let’s make some terminology clear. Roguelites are often bundled in with roguelikes, but there are some key differences. In a roguelike, each run tends to be self-contained. If the player dies, they will lose their progress and be forced to start again with a new character.
Roguelites, however, tend to be a little easier, thanks to persistent progression. This means that players can unlock assets like upgrades, abilities and characters, which continue to be available in future runs. The distinction between the two is important to players. While some relish the sheer difficulty of playing the same run again and again with no advantages, others prefer to have a stronger sense of progress.
Gambling influenced roguelites distinguish themselves from traditional casino games by allowing players more agency over the odds and tools at their disposal to win the game. Looking at online slots available in the US on Casino.org it’s clear that slots are many and varied in their appearance, odds and mechanisms. However, these games are designed to be played with set odds, that enable real money gambling.
Gambling inspired roguelites instead enable you to tweak those odds by changing the number of kings in your deck, or making it 99.9% certain your slot machine will only roll cherries. This means that players can, with some luck and skill, break the game by creating overpowered combos in order to win.
Slots and Daggers
Let’s talk about Friedemann’s ‘Slots & Daggers’ game, published by Future Friends Games. It was widely praised by reviewers upon its release last year, thanks to its strong art direction and musical score. We’ve seen numerous online slots that riff on indie games, but to see one the other way around is far more unusual. In a novel twist, this title combines the idea of a dungeon crawler with a bar slot machine.
Players start by choosing three symbols from the reels that make up their equipment, including weapons, coins, and shields. They then play through battles in each area, earning coins and tokens that allow them to level up their gameplay. When the game ends, the slot machine releases poker chips which can be used purchase modifications. The game also includes an endless mode called the Egg Arena, where players can fight egg-type monsters.
CloverPit
This title, developed by Panik Arcade and also published by Future Friends Games, is an indie project that gives the traditional online slot a horror reimagining. CloverPit is a roguelite in which players are trapped in a hellish cell with a slot machine and an ATM. The mission is to pay off your debt at the end of each round to earn freedom or fall to ruin.
Unlike those that you’d find at online casinos, this slot is designed to be broken. Players can earn extra coins, prizes, and charms to manipulate the game and trigger big combos. Those who want to take things up a notch can play the game in Endless Mode.
Buckshot Roulette
Fans of CloverPit are sure to enjoy this equally demonic offering. Buckshot Roulette puts a gruesome spin on Russian roulette, raising the stakes and transforming it into a battle for survival with a 12-gauge shotgun. To play, a dealer must first be appointed. This player takes charge of the shotgun and its shells for the game. The other players will act as the gamblers, taking turns at the roulette table.
This is primarily a game of luck, although strategy can give players an edge. Outsmart your opponents by bluffing or observing their patterns and behavior. Additional items like handcuffs, a magnifying glass, and burner phone add further variability, allowing players to disrupt the course of the game. Because of its random nature, this game is infinitely replayable, if you’re feeling brave enough.
Insider Trading
This roguelike deckbuilder is a little different from the titles we’ve talked about so far. Rather than satirizing the gambling offerings available at online casinos, Insider Trading lets players manipulate the stock market. As a tightrope between risk and reward, this game is sure to appeal to those who enjoy wagering.
For each run, the player acts as a stock market trader, using cards to alter prices and control how the market reacts. You can play it safe by cashing out early and securing profits, or risk it all for a bigger windfall. Not all the cards dealt are advantageous and some weaken the deck. Disruptive events like a recession can also derail a run, turning the game on its head. With so many variables at play, no run is ever the same, and a keen eye for strategy is necessary.
Balatro
It’s impossible to overstate the influence that deckbuilder Balatro has had on the indie gaming scene, including all of the titles above. A dazzling array of awards is testament to the success of this poker roguelike. Balatro allows players to combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards. As you progress, you’ll earn chips, which will help you to beat sneaky blinds. Hidden bonus hands and decks are also there to assist with your run towards the final ante.
This game has endless possibilities, cementing its staying power amongst fans. 150 Jokers with unique abilities are up for grabs, alongside Vouchers, Tarot, Planet, and Spectral cards. There’s also an in-depth campaign mode with 8 difficulties, as well as challenge and seeded runs.
Balatro truly has a cult following now and has had a deep cultural impact. While the cross-appeal to online poker fans is clear, this game has also introduced a whole new audience of gamers who have never played at online casinos before, to the magic of poker.
The Impact on Online Casino Games
Never has there been more cross-pollination between indie game developers and iGaming studios. Both are riding the wave of current trends, such as horror and shock factor, satirical humor, and retro style. Players at online casinos are increasingly enjoying games that visually blur the boundaries of traditional slots, roulette, and deck games. The popularity of slots like ‘Grim the Splitter’, ‘Organ Orphan’, and ‘Duck Hunters: Happy Hour’, to name just a few, are evidence that this trend isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
