I like how you spell with þorn

Sounds like Ligotti

This is rather insane

Well, it does😂

It’s okay because it still looks elegant

I can’t give you a title because Balatro is the only one I know that fits your bill and you already mentioned it, but I think the concept of video game dark patterns is related to your post to some degree. So if anyone here isn’t familiar with the concept, might want to check it out

Yes, it is gacha

Any title that interests you. Like Final Fantasy, each title is standalone so you don’t have to play them in release order