Carnaval Marbles

Carnaval Marbles combines a systemic roguelike with French billiards, set in a dark-fantasy carnival world. The setting draws on European folklore and old carnivals, and mixes anachronisms with mythology. Each run plays out differently, and bosses can change the rules partway through a run.

The core mechanics centre on billiards shots, where positioning and rebounds matter. Players collect Talismans, Marble Bonuses and Runes, and the interactions between them form the basis of each build. The game lists hundreds of these items, which can be combined in many ways. It has been compared to Balatro in that simple core rules lead to considerable combinatorial depth.

The game includes eight playable characters, which introduce its core mechanics. It features a clear interface and integrated tutorials, while also allowing experienced players to create highly powerful builds. After all bosses have been defeated, an Endless Mode lets players continue. A demo is available.