JOHN GLEEP Abduct Gamblers, Pay the Mob
Fly a UFO, kidnap customers for your failing casino and gamble your way out of galactic debt.
Is JOHN GLEEP worth it?
JOHN GLEEP is worth it if…
- you want a roguelike where every run mixes new pegs, new planets and new casino combos
- you like games that are genuinely funny, from the absurd premise to the strange twists
- you enjoy juggling several frantic things on screen at the same time
- you want short sessions that pull you straight into one more run
Screenshots
Two jobs at once, one very small alien
The whole game is a juggling act. On one screen you pilot a UFO across a planet, scooping up citizens while dodging attacks from Captain Missile. On the other, your casino fills with the people you just grabbed, bouncing around a pachinko board while you deal with whatever else comes up: defusing bombs, squashing bugs, ignoring virtual meetings. The screen gets crowded. That is the point. It gets hectic and busy in the best way, and if it ever becomes too much, you can turn the graphics down and keep the chaos running.
A casino you build out of pegs and junk
Every ransacked planet pays into the debt you owe Joey Norp, a mob boss who is also apparently a dentist. Between runs you customize the casino with pegs from a gacha machine, over 40 of them, and the Junk and Gadgets you find on planets bolster your ship or unlock new distracting abilities. There are more than 100 gadget unlocks, plus permanent upgrades you earn from companions you meet along the way. You could also help those companions with their personal problems instead, but there is a galaxy to pay off.
What happens between raids?
What do you do when you are not raiding planets?
You cut loose around the star system. Go to the club, bet on Binko Races, or play a chill round of Human Poker. You can also check in on your ex-wife Lucille and your kid Lil Gleepy, who both think you should chip in a bit more. The game keeps a straight face about none of this.
Is there a story, or is it just mechanics?
There is a full plot underneath the chaos: a sci-fi crime drama about debt, a failed casino and a broken marriage, with silly characters and strange twists along the way. Failure to pay means game over for John Gleep. Or does it? The story gives every run a reason beyond the numbers.
Does it stay interesting after the first run?
Yes, that is the design. Runs stay short and varied, so one more go is always tempting.
