Balatro-Style Hit Makes Waves on Steam: Nubby's Number Factory Climbs the Charts

A new roguelike strategy game has quietly emerged as a potential indie darling on Steam. Nubby's Number Factory, developed by solo creator MogDogBlog Productions, is earning comparisons to last year's breakout hit Balatro with its addictive number-based gameplay and remarkable 97.8% positive rating on Steam.

Released just last month with little fanfare, this $4.99 game combines a nostalgic Windows 95-era aesthetic with the deeply satisfying mechanics of watching numbers climb to astronomical heights. Players work at the titular number factory, launching a ball-shaped character named Nubby down plinko-style boards filled with pegs that generate increasing scores.

What truly sets Nubby's Number Factory apart is its intricate system of items, perks, and character traits that can be combined to transform modest scores into billions. Much like Balatro's addictive card combinations, Nubby's focuses on building powerful synergies between different elements.

The game maintains a lighthearted premise - if players fail to meet their quota, "the sun explodes" - while offering surprising strategic depth.

The gameplay loop centers around collecting items that sit along the top of the screen similar to Balatro's Jokers. For example, the Tardigrade gives players a 25% chance to double the value of a random peg whenever a peg's value is halved, while the Cactus drops a quill to hit additional pegs. These combine with perks and food buffs to create exponential scoring opportunities.

Even Balatro developer LocalThunk has acknowledged the game on social media, suggesting a spiritual connection between the two number-focused indies. Both games share an uncanny ability to create "busted" runs where players can achieve such high scores that the game essentially breaks under the weight of their success.

Developer Ethan 'MogDog' has responded to the game's warm reception with surprise and gratitude: "This week changed my life. I cannot believe that we're sitting here with such positive ratings in the first ten days of release. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the support. I truly love making games, and now I can focus on my passion full-time. Long live Nubby!"

The future looks bright for Nubby's Number Factory, with MogDog already releasing version 1.3 containing balance improvements and new content. Future updates promise 12 new items, 12 new foods, and 10 new perks, with a focus on building "clear build paths" for different strategies.

For players who enjoyed Balatro's card-based number manipulation or similar titles like Luck Be a Landlord, Nubby's Number Factory provides a fresh experience at an extremely accessible price point. The game also offers a free demo for curious players who want to try before buying.