The Devil’s Due Turns Poker Into a Roguelite of Cheating, Demons, and Dirty Tricks

The second I saw “cheating is encouraged” in The Devil’s Due announcement, I perked up. Roguelite deckbuilders are everywhere right now, but few have the guts to openly break the rules-let alone make it the main mechanic. Poker, demons, and gleeful dishonesty? That’s a combo worth raising your eyebrow (and your suspicion meter) for.

The Devil’s Due: Cheating Your Way Out of Hell (On the Cards and Off)

• Cheating isn’t optional-it’s the core gameplay loop.
• Mechanics blend classic poker hands with roguelite deckbuilding and risk/reward trickery.
• Distinctive Monty Python-inspired animation style sets it apart from the usual grimdark deckbuilders.
• Developers Games People Play lean into irreverence and player agency, not just luck or meta builds.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Games People Play
Release Date	TBA (Wishlist on Steam)
Genres	Roguelite, Card Battler, Poker, Deckbuilder
Platforms	PC (Steam)

Let’s be honest: the indie roguelite deckbuilder space is crowded, and it’s tough to stand out post-Slay the Spire. The Devil’s Due caught my attention because it doesn’t just remix mechanics—it actively trashes the table. Instead of just “building a deck” and hoping for a strong hand, you’re incentivized to cheat, swap cards, scam shops, and generally outwit literal demons. Finally, a game that acknowledges my inability to play by the rules in Uno—and gives me tools to embrace it.

Games People Play aren’t exactly a household name, but that’s part of what makes this promising. Their last title, SpreadCheat, leaned into the same “rules are for mortals” philosophy. Here, they double down, with monsters as manifestations of the seven deadly sins and a tarot-driven path system that keeps runs unpredictable. The devil is literally in the details: every cheat raises suspicion, which ramps up risk and rewards smart (not just lucky) play. That’s a big deal for folks tired of “draw the perfect card or die” RNG fest that plagues lesser deckbuilders.

Visually, The Devil’s Due throws out the expected grimdark or anime deckbuilder look for something that feels more like a fever dream from Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The UI is tactile and inviting, the monsters grotesque but weirdly charming. That personality goes a long way—because if you’re going to spend hours in Hell, you want every run to feel different, not just “modestly shuffled.” The developers’ cheeky tone is everywhere, from the trailer’s country tune to the in-game banter about fairness (from literal demons!).

So, what does this mean for players? If you love Slay the Spire, Inscryption, or even the chaos of Luck Be a Landlord, this looks like a breath of sulfurous fresh air. The risk/reward system around suspicion adds tension beyond just hoping for a good draw, and the promise of permanent unlocks evokes that “one more run” compulsion. The focus on player agency—especially in a genre that can feel luck-dependent—could be a game-changer if the cheating is balanced and fun rather than frustrating or random.

TL;DR: The Devil’s Due isn’t just another roguelite deckbuilder. It’s a cheeky, high-stakes card battler where cheating isn’t just allowed—it’s necessary. The strong aesthetic and irreverent design philosophy set it apart, and if Games People Play can nail the balance, this could be the game poker rogues and card-twisting strategists have been waiting for. Wishlist it if you’re ready to risk your (virtual) soul for a run that actually feels different.

Source: Games People Play via GamesPress