Chinese Balatro has launched on Steam, but it’s something more complex than Poker
While this game may look like a Chinese version of Balatro, it’s actually a totally different game with its own unique mechanics.
Saying Balatro was a huge hit on Steam is an understatement. It’s a fresh take on poker, completely reimagining the classic game with a unique gameplay loop, all created by just one person. Not only did it attract a massive player base, but it also made its mark at The Game Awards 2024, winning Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game. It's no surprise that there are now tons of Balatro imitators on Steam, but they’re just cheap copies of the real deal. Well, at least that was the case until Aotenjo Infinite Hands launched on January 20, 2025.
Another Balatro rip-off? Not this time
When you hear ‘deck-building roguelike’, you might think, ‘Is this like Balatro?’. And with Aotenjo Infinite Hands, you wouldn’t be too far off. It might look similar, but it’s a whole different game. For one, it’s Mahjong, which you could kind of compare to Poker, but it’s actually more like a chess game.
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China, typically played with four players. The goal is to form specific tile combinations, like sets and sequences, to complete a hand. It combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck as players draw and discard tiles while trying to outplay their opponents. This was implemented into a single-player game.
The development team described it on reddit as:
Aotenjo is inspired by 40+ traditional regional Mahjong games, blending them with roguelike mechanics. Players will traverse procedurally generated levels, collecting Artifacts and mastering Mahjong Patterns…
…With over 100 Mahjong Patterns and 144 unique Artifacts, it provides nearly endless possibilities for players to experiment with powerful combinations and synergies. So hey, strategic timing is crucial - use the right gadgets or trigger rare Patterns at key moments to achieve the high score!
Finally, Mahjong for beginners
Mahjong can be a bit tough to get the hang of, especially for newcomers. Trust me, I know. I’ve tried Mahjong myself, and even remember playing a similar game in Final Fantasy XIV and feeling completely lost. But with Aotenjo Infinite Hands, the tutorial is super noob-friendly, so you don’t have to stress about learning complex rules or strategies. Early reviews on Steam are already saying the game’s pretty solid.
You can even adjust the settings to switch those unfamiliar Mandarin characters to Arabic numbers, making it better suited for Western players. While you won’t find any wild banana jokers like in Balatro, Aotenjo Infinite Hands has its own unique artifacts and gadgets system.
- No rush, Haste: Broken Worlds demo is sticking around after Next Fest
- Among Us 3D on consoles? Xbox, PS5, PS4 and Switch ports explained
- The best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game has a demo on Steam
- Five excellent Steam Next Fest demos you might have missed
- The Bazaar open beta release time is near. Be prepared for server issues