Chosen Garden: A Cutesy Balatro-Inspired Roguelike Where You Harvest Flowers Instead of Cards

·

by

Leo Circuit

As a seasoned tech enthusiast and storyteller, I constantly seek out innovative games that push the boundaries of established genres. I confess, I discovered Balatro later than many, but once I did, it undeniably consumed my life for months. Its unique blend of roguelike deckbuilding was a revelation. While I’ve stepped back from its magnetic pull, my eyes still wander its way on Steam. Now, I’ve stumbled upon a new obsession poised to fill that void: Chosen Garden. This charming new roguelike deckbuilder is set to launch in March, and after delving into its demo, I have a wonderfully ominous feeling it will be just as captivating and perhaps even more delightful.

A vibrant screenshot from Chosen Garden showcasing gameplay elements.

Core Gameplay Mechanics of Chosen Garden

In Chosen Garden, players are tasked with nurturing a magical garden. This involves strategically planting an array of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, alongside adopting adorable animals and contending with challenging weather conditions that emerge every three rounds. You begin with a 9×9 plot teeming with plant life. Your objective is to harvest these plants within a limited number of turns, starting with a 3×3 harvest zone which can be expanded tile by tile.

Each round presents a specific point goal you must meet or surpass. Your ability to accumulate points is influenced by the variety and placement of plants in your garden, as well as additional perks provided by adopted animals and collected tools. Every plant possesses a unique ability; for instance, harvesting a Cherry Blossom expands your harvest zone to include adjacent tiles, while a Wild Flower grants a +5 Base or +5 Multiplier. Successful harvests also yield coins, which can be spent at the end of each round to acquire new plants, tools, or animals. This core loop brilliantly mirrors the addictive formula of Balatro, making it instantly accessible to fans of the genre and a compelling experience for new players on Digital Tech Explorer.

A Memorable (and Disastrous) Playthrough

My second run on the Zoo map in Chosen Garden began with a relaxed confidence. I’d started with comfort grass, a plant that grants +4 Base or +4 Mult upon harvest, and had chosen Spinach as my accompanying starter, which adds a random 0-12 to the Multiplier with a small chance to earn 20 coins. My garden was flourishing—I’d discovered a mythical dragon, adopted a loyal dog, and planted watermelon seeds. Everything was progressing beautifully until round six. That’s when the adverse weather condition struck: a sandstorm. The debuff stated my first harvest in this round would yield no score. “Not too bad,” I thought, underestimating the game’s deceptive charm.

Attempting to be clever, I opted for a small, 4×4 plot in the top-right corner for my initial, score-less harvest, thinking it wouldn’t be much of a waste. What I hadn’t accounted for was my new Pea plant’s unique perk: it randomly adds directly and indirectly adjacent uncommon and rare plants to the harvest zone. Suddenly, nearly half my grid was consumed in a harvest that counted for nothing! Dammit. With only four turns remaining to accumulate 1000 points and half my garden gone, the outcome was inevitable. I fell short by nearly 300 points, and my promising run came to an abrupt end. Such is the brutal beauty of roguelikes.

The Enduring Appeal of Roguelikes

And that’s perfectly acceptable. Games of this nature, as we often cover on Digital Tech Explorer, are designed for these short, often disastrous runs, all leading up to that one fateful day when the stars align, and you achieve a truly generational victory. This inherent cycle of failure and perseverance is the core appeal of roguelike games. Each defeat fuels the desire for that perfect run, pushing players to learn, adapt, and refine their strategies. As TechTalesLeo, I’m still patiently awaiting that glorious day in Chosen Garden, and I encourage fellow tech enthusiasts to dive in and experience its unique blend of strategy and charm. It’s an excellent opportunity to enhance your gaming skills and stay ahead of emerging indie trends.

A collage of diverse PC gaming titles and genres.

Some links in this article may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on thorough research and personal experience, aligning with Digital Tech Explorer’s commitment to transparency.