Post by Duhad in Joker's Trip (18+) Demo comments

Viewing post in Joker's Trip (18+) Demo comments

Delightful game, though currently it has one fairly major issue which is that, outside of taunting, the blackjack element is a little overly random. Considering that the whole idea is to beat the guests at hands of blackjack, the fact that you can get them to hold on a bad hand, get OVER what you need to beat them and then bust out because the dealer automatically always tries to get 17+ ends up feeling pretty bad.

If the game had an option to let you, as the player, stop drawing rather then letting the AI always go for the safe 17+ or even if they game just cheated to avoid that outcome, I feel like it would make the game feel a little more fun given its really more about teasing and tricking the players and a bust hand only prolongs an already somewhat repetitive game.

That being said, its a fairly minor drawback to what is otherwise a genuinely very well made game! The art is cute, the smut is fairly tasteful and the vibes are immaculate!

Would recommend, even if its still a bit rough around the edges in its current 0.1.1 state.

Griffon Rex199 days ago(+1)

The dealer always stops at 17+ in Blackjack. Those are the rules.

Duhad198 days ago(-2)

I am aware of that, that's sort of my issue. The fact it always stops at 17+, even when a 16 would win is slightly annoying since it basically means you can have a guaranteed win, but the dealer just goes, "Eh, one more card, oops! Bust, everyone wins!"

Like, given its a game of blackjack and a key skill in black jack is knowing when to stop hitting, something you have to use to trick the visitors, the fact that you, the player, have no ability to control that creates rare, but annoying 'feels bad' moments where you lose not from your own bad choices, but because the AI will always automatically aim for 17+ regardless of weather or not that's needed.

Griffon Rex198 days ago(+2)

I don’t think you understand? Like, in the game you are the house, so you must play to 17+. A skill to be able to cheat cards could work, but if you could arbitrarily stand or hit past the flop then you wouldn’t be playing Blackjack.

Duhad198 days ago(-2)

I mean its a magic Blackjack game where you can see all the cards and influence the players and eventually have sex with them. I feel like its not unreasonable to say, "Hey this might be how the game works normally, but it makes for less fun game play as there is no penalty for losing, just makes the game take longer, so maybe the game shouldn't force you to throw games out of a sense of realism?"

Trying to give feedback on the video game, 'Joker's Trip', not the rules of casino blackjack. Its GOOD that the dealer can bust out semi-consistently at a casino cus it means the gamblers have a higher chance of making back the money they spend, but in a video game that's not really a concern and this isn't meant to be an accurate simulation of playing at a real table.

Griffon Rex198 days ago (1 edit) (+2)

But, since the characters know that the house must play to 17 or higher it affects their choices, which in turn affects your strategy. What you're asking is similar to saying that players should be able to stop the flop at one card, it's a suggestion that might feel good, but has an affect on the psychology of the game, which would ruin it.

A lot of what characters will or won't hit on is not only based on the cards they draw, but also the flop. In fact, you can better play against them by tricking them into standing when they're below 17 and you have a decent flop. Some characters will also stand or hit if the flop is high compared to their hand.

The rules for the dealer aren't there for the players psychological benefit, though that is a great side-benefit, it's vital to good Blackjack strategy. If you're unhappy that you have to keep drawing cards, you should focus more on your manipulation strategy. If the flop is high, you should manipulate the gamblers into busting, since they'll lose as well.

itch.io

Viewing post in Joker's Trip (18+) Demo comments