The Devil’s Due emerges as a bold bet from Norwegian studio Games People Play. In this poker duel against demonic entities, players aren’t just allowed to cheat, they’re encouraged to. The premise is simple and devilish: after losing your soul in a game against the Devil himself, your only shot at redemption is to bluff, cheat, and swindle your way through increasingly impossible card battles.

The reveal trailer, premiered during the OTK Games Expo, drew attention not only for its Monty Python-inspired animation style but also for its price, according to the developers, it cost them their soul (and their marketing budget). The game’s Steam page is now live, letting curious players rewatch the trailer endlessly. The catchy country tune might haunt you, but wishlisting the game could help ease the curse.

Core gameplay revolves around poker duels against grotesque embodiments of the seven deadly sins. Playing well matters, but cheating smart matters more. Build powerful hands to attack, use the total card value to defend, and unleash dirty tricks when the game turns against you. You can swap hidden cards, boost values, and sabotage enemy hands, just don’t get caught.

The system rewards boldness. Every trick increases a suspicion meter: push it too far, and prepare for brutal retaliation. “I wanted to make a game where cheating is not just allowed, it’s encouraged,” says designer Jack Kristoffersen. “You’re in Hell. The rules are more like... guidelines.”

Outside of battles, players can visit scam-worthy shops, healing shrines, and “totally fair” minigames, if you know how to cheat. Each level is shaped by tarot cards laid out by the Devil, but clever players can always find ways to forge their own path.

Joachim Barrum’s expressive, exaggerated artwork enhances the theme. “The monsters hate when you cheat. It makes them feel like they’re being treated unfairly. Sure, they’re demons,” the artist jokes. “But which of you is the real tormentor?”

With its tactile UI, constant stream of unlockable relics, and a steady rhythm of discovery, the game invites players to refine their skills in bluffing, deception, and manipulation, because in a place with no real rules, victory belongs to the most cunning.