Piroker, a pirate-themed poker roguelite, has opened sign-ups for a playtest, as announced via a new animated trailer revealed during the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct. The game combines asynchronous multiplayer poker with a nautical theme, promising a unique experience for fans of games like Balatro.
Players select a pirate captain and compete against seven other players to achieve the best poker hands. The game features a seven-card deal, with the system automatically scoring all possible hand combinations. Much like Balatro, Piroker allows for the creation of unconventional and powerful hands through various mechanics. These include altering card values, changing suits, interpreting certain suits as others, and scoring cards multiple times.
Progression and scoring are driven by relics, which enhance card and hand values or introduce multipliers. Collecting three of the same relic can unlock a more potent variant. During playtesting, players have discovered potent combinations, though opponents can also develop similarly strong strategies.
The game incorporates a risk-reward system where low scores can result in players being targeted by winners, reducing their health. An element of luck also plays a role, as in scenarios with multiple winners and losers, one loser might avoid taking damage, allowing them more time to establish their strategy.
While the recent trailer does not feature new gameplay, it effectively sets the game's tone. The developers encourage interested players to sign up for the playtest. Piroker is available to wishlist on Steam, with a release date yet to be announced.