Combining Balatro, horror, and slot machines, Cloverpit just got a release date

I'm by no means a serial gambler (I'm far too risk-averse and broke for that) but I'm always drawn to it in videogames. Whether it's spinning the wheel in GTA Online's Diamond Resort to win a car, or trying to get my coins up after drafting a casino in Blue Prince, these kinds of mechanics and minigames always lure me in. A game that focuses solely on pulling the lever of a slot machine, though, sounds like it could get tedious. Cloverpit, on the surface, is just that, but it weaves in Balatro-esque roguelike elements and presents itself as a pretty gnarly, disturbing horror game. I've been excited for this one to drop for a while, and thankfully I haven't got much longer to wait. The Cloverpit release date has been announced, and it's coming in early September.

Aiming to become one of the most unusual entries on our best roguelike games list, Cloverpit has garnered plenty of attention in the relatively short time since its initial reveal. Its demo has been downloaded over 700,000 times, and it currently sits in Steam's top 100 most wishlisted games.

We've seen the likes of solitaire and chess get Balatro'd in recent months, and the addictive lever clunks, reel spins, and prize jingles of a slot machine make it a prime target for the same treatment. However, I was taken aback to see that Cloverpit is going for a dark, gritty vibe. Keeping you trapped in what is essentially a prison cell, you must master the slot machine to earn enough money to pay off your debt to the all-powerful ATM machine that you share the room with. This isn't all about getting lucky, though - items that you earn throughout the game will act as modifiers that alter the machine's behavior and payouts, allowing you to manipulate it and earn big scores and stacks of coins.

While its demo is still available to download and play right now (I highly recommend giving it a go), I've been eager for the full Cloverpit experience to arrive, so it's great knowing that I won't be waiting much longer.

Developer Panik Arcade has confirmed that the Cloverpit release date is set for Tuesday, September 9. It'll be coming to Steam only.

I've got a hunch that Cloverpit could end up as one of the best indie games of the year - admittedly, it's got a lot of stiff competition, but it's a unique, satisfying, yet disturbing experience. To see what else is on the way, check out our upcoming PC games guide.

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