In 2024, one of the most surprising indie games was Balatro. This unique deck-building game, inspired by Poker, introduced a roguelike mechanic where players must restart from the beginning if they lose. Its innovative approach earned widespread acclaim, leading to nominations for Game of the Year and securing the Best Indie Game award at a major gaming ceremony.
League of Legends Introduces Its Own Balatro-Inspired Game
A few months later, Riot Games has taken inspiration from Balatro and Inscryption, another popular card-based game, to release a new minigame available through its official launcher.
The game, titled “Demon’s Hand,” arrives with the Noxus Season and features a gameplay style reminiscent of Balatro, combined with the narrative depth of Inscryption.
How to Play Demon’s Hand
The gameplay mechanics of Demon’s Hand are straightforward yet strategic:
- Start with a predetermined amount of health based on your game progress.
- Each round, draw eight cards from a deck of 52.
- Use different attack levels to damage your opponent’s cards.
- Discard up to five cards per round, with a limit of three discards per match.
- The damage dealt depends on attack values determined by card combinations.
- Winning a battle grants in-game currency, which can be used to acquire seals that enhance different attributes.
The game ends when one player loses all their health points.
Rewards for Completing the Game
As expected, Riot Games offers exclusive rewards for completing various game modes and achieving specific objectives:
Completion Rewards:
- Finish the Story Mode – Receive an emote and 500 Battle Pass EXP.
- Complete Hard Mode – Earn an illustrated icon and 250 Battle Pass EXP.
- Conquer Demonic Mode – Unlock the exclusive “Demon’s Hand” icon and 250 Battle Pass EXP.
- Collect all 24 rare seals – Obtain the title “Demon’s Hand” and 250 Battle Pass EXP.
The Story Behind Demon’s Hand
According to the official League of Legends blog, Demon’s Hand follows the story of Atakhan, a powerful entity released by LeBlanc after being imprisoned for over 1,000 years.
As Atakhan rampages through Runeterra, he arrives in a mysterious land where he encounters a lone man sitting at a table. The setting appears frozen in time, and the stranger seems eerily familiar. Driven by an unexplainable force, Atakhan takes a seat, ready to engage in a game that will test his fate.
Where to Play Demon’s Hand
Demon’s Hand is available as a minigame within the League of Legends launcher and can be accessed throughout the Noxus Season.
Demon’s Hand is an exciting addition to League of Legends, blending strategy, storytelling, and roguelike card mechanics. Whether you’re a Balatro fan or a League of Legends veteran, this minigame promises a thrilling experience with exclusive rewards. Don’t miss out—jump into the game today!