We Really (Rogue)Like Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Balatro
Mar 1, 2024
auto_awesome
This podcast covers gameplay mechanics and strategies for indie games Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Balatro, with a focus on class gameplay, mineral mining, and intense survival gameplay. They also discuss Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Helldivers 2, Riders of Justice, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Elden Ring.
Balatro offers a unique blend of deck building and poker mechanics for strategic gameplay.
Players of Balatro navigate a delicate balance in run strategy for creative deck synergies.
Independent game developers face challenges with server costs and technical limitations.
Deep dives
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics and Deck Building Strategy
Balotro offers a unique gameplay experience combining deck building with poker mechanics. Players aim to build poker hands from their deck to earn chips and multipliers. The game introduces jokers that modify hand outcomes, creating diverse strategic possibilities. Players must balance greed and consistency in their playstyle, making strategic choices in card selection and discard to optimize their scoring potential.
Complexity in Run Strategy and Deck Synergies
Players navigate a delicate balance in run strategy, needing to adapt to unexpected obstacles and boss rules. Balotro encourages creative deck synergies where seemingly conflicting cards can combine to yield high-scoring results. The game's depth lies in combining diverse joker effects and managing resources effectively. Each run offers a learning experience, rewarding adaptability and strategic thinking.
Engaging Gameplay Progression and Meta-Game Elements
Balotro's progression system includes unlocking jokers and planet cards that enhance gameplay variety and strategic depth. Players can experiment with different decks and strategies by unlocking new cards and modifiers. The game features a between-games meta-game where players unlock decks with unique bonuses, adding further layers of complexity to each run. Balotro's rich meta-game elements and strategic depth make it a compelling and engaging experience for players seeking challenging rogue-like gameplay.
Challenges Faced by an Independent Game Developer
Independent game developers face challenges such as server costs and technical limitations. In the podcast episode, it was highlighted that a game developer, despite being published by a big company like PlayStation, still had to manage server funding independently. The use of cloud services like Amazon Web Services can lead to high costs, especially when planning for significant user loads. The podcast underscored the complexities of server management, engine choices, and scalability issues that independent developers encounter.
Insights into the Series of 'Freyran: Beyond Journey's End'
'Freyran: Beyond Journey's End' presents an unconventional narrative focused on time and mortality. The show follows a spellcaster mage whose longevity impacts those around her as she outlives human lifespans. This unique premise allows the series to explore themes of time, personal relationships, and the transient nature of life. By shifting focus from traditional adventures to temporal reflections, 'Freyran' offers a fresh perspective on storytelling within the fantasy genre.
This week, we're evangelizing for two indie games that have completely consumed every moment of our free time: The rock and stone-fueled auto-shooter Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, and the poker deckbuilder Balatro! We're going to go back to playing those, now.
Enjoy the episode. Also discussed: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Helldivers 2, Riders of Justice, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Elden Ring
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
