I’m not typically one for the Rogue-lite/like genre, as I’ve made clear a few times. I don’t hate it as a concept; I just sometimes feel it is overused to create a repetitive gameplay loop that isn’t fun on its own. Gambling, however, is meant to be fun from the word go, and I do like a gambling-Rogue-lite/like. So step in Bloodthief developer Blargis with its new game, Blackout Jack. A Rogue-lite deckbuilder where you are trying to kill the dealer. I’m sold. Let’s see what the press release had to say about Blackout Jack‘s announcement:

“Blackout Jack is a cursed blackjack Rogue-lite where you gamble your life building a stacked deck of powerful synergies and combos. Explore the seedy medieval city, form your plan, and kill the dealer before he kills you.

Roam the crooked streets for answers before your next run. Uncover poisons and lockpicks, barter for information, and gradually decode the mystery in this unusual world that resets with each failed attempt. But be warned, the house always wins. Death is never the end for dedicated gamblers[,] with each gruesome end resetting the night. Utilize the knowledge you keep to uncover the conspiracy of the world and the final pieces of the puzzle to make the dealer permanently cash out.“

There isn’t a lot said directly about the game’s development, as this was the first reveal of Blackout Jack this week. However, the press release continues to describe the game and its ideas: “Blackout Jack is a single-player, story-driven Rogue-like deckbuilder set in the underbelly of a seedy, grimdark city. Play a deathly version of the classic card game where smart planning, high-number hits, and uncovered knowledge allow players to stay alive one more round and stop the dealer from delivering the final fatality on the player.”

On the Blackjack gameplay itself: “Classic blackjack with a lethal twist. Play a familiar card game with card-altering elixirs and boons. Having the proper tools will give you the best odds.” And on the strategies: “Stack boons, gamble with life tokens, roll game-changing dice, and more[,] where the right combination delivers devastating blows against the death-dealing dealer.“

On the city: “Go beyond the table and explore a city shrouded in darkness. Discover secrets and fellow conspirators determined to help you reveal the mystery.” On the tools: “Uncover secret tools to unlock more of the world and give a fighting chance against the ever-encroaching death from the dealer. Find lockpicks, poisons, and cryptic information to help stack the odds against your demise.” And on the characters: “Unscrupulous and unsavory denizens haunt the dark alleys, each holding secrets, information, and important plot points that help the player discover the mystery behind the dealer and the dark conspiracy tying everything together.”

As I say, on occasion I’ve found the time to moan about the overabundance of Rogue-influenced games, but Blackout Jack is one of the rare occasions I don’t moan. In fact, it is one of the times I wishlist instead. As I say, this reveal this week was the first time we’d seen Blargis’ next game, so don’t expect a release date and platform reveals for Blackout Jack just yet. Nor are there really any details in the press release for the announcement talking about the progress of development, so as I say (and do), it is one to wishlist and keep an eye on.

Phenixx Gaming is everywhere you are. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Also, if you’d like to join the Phenixx Gaming team, check out our recruitment article for details on working with us.

Phenixx Gaming is proud to be a Humble Partner! Purchases made through our affiliate links support our writers and charity!