We’re nearing the top of 2025, and indies simply can’t cease profitable. A brand new type of roguelike is as soon as once more right here, this time combining Balatro and Scrabble into an extremely addictive gameplay loop, accompanied by nice audio and visuals.
The sport in query is Cursed Phrases, which initially delivered to thoughts Wordle. Nevertheless, as I might come to find from the gameplay itself, it’s extra akin to Scrabble, because the devs themselves wish to level out.
The loop goes one thing like this: You mix adjoining letters to type phrases, every phrase carrying a sure variety of factors; every spherical requires you to succeed in a degree threshold, finally main you to a boss struggle. Clear three bosses to “win” a run, unlocking new characters, letters, buffs (like these Balatro jokers) and so forth. It’s tremendous easy however extremely addictive.
It takes liberal inspiration from Balatro, however combines it with a special type of sport that’s far faraway from its poker core. We did beforehand get Clover Pit, which continued down the playing path paved by Jimbo, introducing a slot machine as an alternative of playing cards and tables. This time, nonetheless, playing as a complete was transcended, proving the visually placing roguelike loop is extra necessary than the setting.
Combining longer phrases, particularly in the event that they’re buffed by your “jokers,” is immensely satisfying. The sounds, the visible cues, every part is simply accurately: evocative, crisp, inventive. Quite a lot of artistry went into the making of this sport, and it instantly attracts you in with a recognizable artwork fashion that stands out from most video games of its form.
It’s genuinely superb how far indies have come, and the way unrelenting they’re within the wake of the entire company AAA gaming collapse that we’ve been witness to over the previous few years.
Cursed Phrases provides itself to the lengthy tally of astounding indies of 2025, despite the fact that it’s solely obtained its demo out for the time being (which, by the best way, is totally free, whereas nonetheless providing fairly an excellent chunk of gameplay). I can’t wait to get my fingers on the complete launch, which I count on to maintain me occupied with its phrases and letters for an extended, very long time.
No less than till one other indie shocks the business once more.
