Raccoin Review

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Just a short while ago, the idea of Raccoin: Coin Pusher Roguelike might have sounded strange, but after the success of time-consuming games like Balatro and Clover Pit, it feels like a logical next step. Raccoin clearly takes inspiration from those games and has become a solid entry into the gambling-inspired roguelike genre. However, it’s still uncertain if it will stand out enough to attract players away from the many other addictive options already available.

I was initially a bit doubtful about Raccoin. Coin-pushing games usually lack complexity – you just put coins in and hope they knock others forward to win points or money. Unlike games like Balatro which use many card combinations and rules for interesting gameplay, coin-pushing is typically very straightforward. However, I was quickly proven wrong. Raccoin cleverly uses this simplicity to create surprisingly well-developed and subtle game mechanics.

During a playthrough of Raccoin, you can find lasting power-ups, but most of what helps or hurts you comes down to the different coins you collect. There are a lot of these coins, and you unlock even more as you play. This makes Raccoin a little harder to learn than some similar fast-paced games, but it also keeps the gameplay fresh and unpredictable. Because the game isn’t bound by traditional rules, Raccoin can come up with really unique coin effects and other ways to change the game, though it might not feel as polished as some other games in the genre.

Raccoin Spins Gold From the Simplest of Premises

It’s hard to compare Raccoin directly to Balatro because they’re different games, but they share a similar structure. In Raccoin, you start a run by choosing a Card and Ticket, which function like Balatro‘s Decks and Stakes – Cards give you special abilities, and Tickets adjust the difficulty. Each run has 15 rounds, with a shop in between each round where you can buy permanent upgrades called Chips (similar to Balatro‘s Jokers) and one-time-use items to help you. There are also Bad Coins, which create challenges but offer bigger rewards if you overcome them – these are like Boss Blinds in Balatro.

While Balatro is all about careful planning and strategy, Raccoin is fast-paced and unpredictable. I didn’t initially enjoy Raccoin because its physics-based gameplay can sometimes feel random and frustrating, especially with unpredictable elements like Bad Coins and random rewards. However, once you embrace the chaos and learn how the different special coins work, Raccoin becomes incredibly addictive.

Throughout a playthrough, you can collect over ten different special coins, and there are many ways to get even more and make them more powerful. These coins have a wide range of effects, and I especially like the ones that stay in play as long as possible. For example, some coins boost your score as long as they’re on the board, encouraging you to build a strategy around protecting them. Others are memorable because they interact with other coins – one makes coins grow larger, and another, called the “wolf,” gains value by finding “pig” coins. These effects consistently allow for creative experimentation, which is a hallmark of enjoyable roguelike games.

Raccoin Faces an Ocean of Roguelikes Looking to Eat Up Your Time

As someone who’s spent a lot of time with this game, trying out nearly every character, I can honestly say Raccoin is a really solid roguelike. It’s surprisingly deep, with tons of ways to play and experiment with different builds. I even think it does some things, like unlocking upgrades during a run, better than a lot of other games in the genre. Honestly, if you’re into roguelikes, Raccoin is definitely worth checking out – it’s easy to recommend.

When you get used to not being fully in control and learn how the various special coins work, Raccoin becomes incredibly addictive and fun.

Despite having all the elements of a great roguelike, Raccoin doesn’t quite capture the same addictive quality as games like Balatro, Hades 2, Megabonk, Slay the Spire, and Mewgenics. I haven’t fully explored everything Raccoin offers, but I didn’t feel that strong urge to keep playing “just one more run.” It’s hard to pinpoint why, but the game’s chaotic, coin-pushing mechanic might be the reason. This lack of direct control makes it difficult to achieve the satisfying, strategic build-up that defines the best games in the genre.

Sometimes, Raccoin feels like it hinders both the player and its own potential. Certain design choices, like interrupting a combo to spin a prize wheel or needing to collect multiple rare coins for a small reward, can be surprisingly disappointing. Generally, the upgrades don’t feel very impactful – many provide such minor or situational benefits that they aren’t worth the effort. This is especially noticeable with Keychain upgrades, which are intended to be the most powerful and rarest. These range from useful additions like a new upgrade slot, to almost pointless boosts like an 8% chance of turning a regular coin into a random special coin.

While Raccoin isn’t perfect, its flaws don’t ruin the experience. It’s still a fun, charming, and original game that can easily provide dozens of hours of gameplay. However, there’s currently a huge number of excellent and expansive roguelike games available, many offering hundreds of hours of content. Compared to some of the most innovative and ambitious titles in the genre, Raccoin, despite being well-made and enjoyable, feels less crucial. Even if it’s only slightly less engaging than games like Slay the Spire 2 or Balatro, that difference matters a lot when you’re looking for a game to really sink your time into.

Raccoin releases on March 30, 2026 for PC. Game Rant was provided with a Steam code for this review.

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2026-03-30 20:40