Can you believe it’s been nearly two years since Balatro made waves in our industry, establishing itself as one of the most captivating card games in recent memory? It’s the kind of game that took many by surprise, proving to be far more engaging than the interactive movie experiences offered by larger publishers around the same time. In a similar vein, This Ain’t Even Poker, Ya Joker, a quirky pseudo-gambling game featuring a mischievous jester, has emerged to claim its share of our leisure hours this festive season. The early Steam reviews are notably positive.
Game Overview
This Ain’t Even Poker, Ya Joker, developed by the aptly named Mash, launched on Steam last Thursday. While it may not have set the world ablaze immediately, it has garnered an impressive 91% positive rating from hundreds of typically discerning Steam users. Priced at just , it joins the ranks of other time-consuming titles like CloverPit, Ball X Pit, and Slots and Daggers.
Marketed as an idle deckbuilding clicker game, its premise is refreshingly straightforward: players flip cards to earn money, expand their hand, purchase new decks, unlock powerful upgrades, and discover new cards. The ultimate goal? To “defeat the Jester.” It’s a classic case of making big numbers even bigger, all while navigating the whimsical chaos of a carnival-themed universe.
For those who find poker a bit perplexing—much like chess, where the rules can be elusive—this game offers a lighthearted alternative. The humor in its title is not lost on anyone; it’s a playful nod to the complexities of traditional poker. However, just as players of Balatro learned the ropes over time, newcomers to this game will surely find their footing with a bit of practice.
For those who enjoy the thrill of cracking packs and watching coins cascade from a flurry of flipped cards, this game promises to be a delightful distraction, perhaps even more satisfying than your daily café latte, considering they’re priced similarly. And let’s not overlook the enticing upgrade tree!
Will This Ain’t Even Poker, Ya Joker join the ranks of major games released every few weeks? Only time will tell. However, with the support of publishers behind breakout hits like A Game About Digging A Hole and September’s Easy Delivery Co., taking a chance on this Balatro-adjacent number escalation simulator seems like a bold and exciting move.
This Ain’t Even Poker, Ya Joker is available at an introductory price of .99 or £3.99 through Thursday, December 25. Delay your purchase until after the holidays, and you’ll find the price has increased by a dollar. Regardless of when you choose to buy, you can find it here. Just be prepared for your free time to vanish as quickly as your cash at a questionable fairground. And don’t forget to save a few pennies for Raccoin, the next anticipated title on the horizon.
