Title: Aotenjo: Infinite Hands
Developer: XO Cat
Publisher: XO Cat
Release Date: January 20, 2025 (early access)
Platform: Steam
Price: $9.99

Roguelike deck builder Balatro went from the game my housemate plays over breakfast to an inescapable phenomenon in pretty much every video game savvy sphere I frequent. So it’s no surprise to see other casual games following suit, as it were. To wit, Aotenjo: Infinite Hands—a retro-styled, roguelike, somewhat surreal deck-building game. But instead of poker, you’re now playing Mahjong.

XO Cat advertises the game as being accessible to newbies and Mahjong masters alike, which is a relief since I know nothing about the game except what the tiles look like. Fortunately, the game is as accessible as advertised, and even throwing in gadgets, artifacts, and other novelties won’t necessarily throw a beginner off their game.

The Gameplay

Aotenjo is, at its core, basic point-and-click Mahjong. If you turn on tutorial mode, you get a little hand-holding through what sorts of triples and pairs you can make and how they’re scored. Each match has a score you have to beat, and exceeding it significantly will earn you money to spend at shops between matches. The game folds in all sorts of regional Mahjong rules—great if you’re a master, also great if you have no idea what these regional rules are. Running your mouse over the terms at the top will explain what you’re aiming for, including a visual aid.

As with Balatro before it, Aotenjo doesn’t simply equip you with tiles and leave it at that. There are all sorts of little gadgets and gizmos to help you get the tiles you need. Some will let you raise or lower the number value of a tile by one; others will let you swap the numbers on two tiles, in case the number you need is over in a different suit. Artifacts (of which there are currently 185) will alter your score in unique ways. Some will give you a chance to earn more money or points at random; others will convert your tiles into various precious metals, increasing their value.

For a beginner like me, it was an incredibly accessible gameplay loop. For a Mahjong master, there looks to be plenty of room for clever strategy.

The Aesthetic

Everything about Aotenjo is, frankly, soothing. From the calming colors to the chill soundtrack to the clack clack of the tiles, this is an extremely relaxing game. It is absolutely Balatro-adjacent, and prides itself on being so. But whereas its poker-centric cousin is a bit more madcap in its inclusion of meme cards, Aotenjo is a little softer in its silliness. And that works for it.

It’s a cozy roguelike deck builder, which is not a thing I thought I’d ever find. There’s a desire to score high and a quick-moving gameplay loop, but it’s also strangely comfortable and comforting. Game developer XO Cat has said they “believe the true joy of Mahjong lies in putting together a harmonious hand from a seemingly chaotic array of tiles.” And everything about this game—from its ease of play to its welcoming vibe—reflects that.

Final Score (5 out of 5 stars)

My intent in trying out Aotenjo: Infinite Hands was initially to play enough to get an idea of its merit. In the process, I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected to. The game is enthralling, relaxing, pretty, and gently clever. It’s easy to lose yourself in but never feels like a time sink.

Best of all, it’s clear from this new Early Access release that XO Cat are listening to their beta testers. The tutorial was inviting and helpful, and the planned additions for the full version look both reasonable and fun. This is a game that feels great to play, and with the devs keeping their ears to the ground, it has nowhere to go but up.

Featured Image: XO Cat

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