Dicey Bizniz

A satisfying Balatro-with-dice concept that makes a great time waster but needs polish to reach its full potential.

Introduction

The idea behind Dicey Bizniz is basically Balatro with dice. It's a cool concept, and the execution does feel satisfying. You're still making poker hands, but this time with dice instead of cards. After spending some time with it, I can say it scratches a similar itch to Balatro as a "one more run" time waster, though it still needs some polish to really shine.

Poker Hands and Dice

I liked the gameplay, but I wish there was some other system rather than poker hands that would fit better with dice. It gets awkward in my opinion because it makes things way too random. The locking system does mitigate some of it, but the core tension between poker combinations and dice randomness never quite feels natural. It's fun, but there's a nagging feeling that a different scoring system would play to dice's strengths better.

UI Love and Hate

I have a love/hate relationship with the UI/UX. Sometimes it's implemented in a great way, and other times, not so much. There are moments where the interface does something clever that makes you appreciate the design thought, but then you'll hit a section that feels clunky or unintuitive. It's inconsistent in a way that suggests the game is still finding its identity.

Long-Term Hook

The relics in the game are interesting, and so are the dice you can add to your deck. But what I really love is that there's a meta progression system called The "Dragon Sanctum" that gives long-term progression. This makes runs feel meaningful, which is actually scary when we're talking about a "one more run" type of game. That addictive quality is definitely present here.

First Impressions Verdict

Dicey Bizniz is a great side monitor time waster just like Balatro, but it lacks a bit of polish to become truly essential. The concept of poker hands with dice is satisfying in practice, even if it feels like there's a better dice-based scoring system waiting to be discovered. The meta progression through the Dragon Sanctum adds that dangerous "just one more run" quality, and the variety in relics and dice keeps things interesting. If the developers can smooth out the UI/UX inconsistencies and maybe explore alternative scoring systems that embrace dice's unique properties, this could become something special. For now, it's a solid option if you're looking for a casual roguelike to play while doing other things.