Hey everyone,
We’ve been working on improving the progression system in our game Jokers of Neon (a roguelike deckbuilder inspired by poker hands), and I wanted to share what we just shipped and get feedback early.
The problem
New players were getting overwhelmed.
Too many mechanics, too many systems upfront.
It made the first runs confusing instead of engaging.
What we changed
We moved to a more roguelike-style progression system:
- You unlock cards, items, and mechanics by playing
- Each run contributes to your progression
- The deeper you go, the more you unlock
Embedded learning
Before we have a traditional tutorial (99% skip it)
Now:
- New mechanics are introduced as you unlock them
- The game teaches you progressively through runs
What we’re trying to achieve
- Make first runs more simple
- Keep long-term depth and mastery
- Encourage experimentation across runs
What I’d love feedback on
If you try it (or even just from reading this):
- Is it clear what you’re unlocking and why?
- Does it feel rewarding enough per run?
- Any friction or confusion during early runs?
Try it out
Screenshots
