https://store.steampowered.com/app/3349850/Balantica

Balancing the scales of hope against a Slay the Spire backdrop.

Balantica is a completely free game that released on Steam Monday 12/16. The premise behind the game is that there are twins, Kane and Lilley, who have been tasked with making a journey to deliver the Scale of Hope to an altar. Along the way they face Trials, which are mechanically similar to battles in similar card based rougelikes.

In Trials, cards are played to add hope to each side of the scale. Maintaining balance is the key to success, because at the end of each Trial, if the scales are within 1 of each other trust will be gained between the siblings. As trust grows there are benefits such as better drop rate of rarer items and cards.

Ratings

Enjoyment – 4

Balantica is a very enjoyable game, with a nice artistic design and an easy to understand objective. I found myself growing more comfortable with how to utilize cards effectively as I progressed through my first run.

Grind – 3

While Balantica isn’t super grindy, I did complete a run over the course of an hour an not unlock a “truth.” Until I play further I do not know if Truths are gained by reaching the end without failing or if there is some other way that you can trigger a Truth to be gained.

Price – 5

It’s FREE! No cost, no battlepass, no way to pay for advantages or cosmetics. Just a game you can sit down with and enjoy without any cost.

Draw – 4

I do plan to play Balantica again, I enjoyed the game and want to know what happens if I make it to the end without failing any scenarios.

Total – 16/20

A strong opening game to this series and hopefully a sign of equally awesome things to come.