Dicefolk

• DEVELOPER: LEAP Game Studios, Tiny Ghoul
• PUBLISHER: Good Shepherd Entertainment
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Turn-based rougelike
• RELEASE DATE: February 27, 2024
• STARTING PRICE: TBD
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

There's something about this game that always draws me in, regardless of how hard it gets in the later stages. Maybe it's because of the combination of turn-based combat and roguelike elements, where things don't always go the way you want them to. The creators of this game are Tiny Ghoul and LEAP Games Studio, the same team behind the hack-and-slash game Tunche that we played in 2021, and which still stands out for its charming appearance. But in Dicefolk, we take on the role of a summoner who wants to save the world, while controlling an army of chimeras. These creatures are the ones you intend to recruit into your own party, train them and lead them into battle, and it is these beasts that are diversified with different appearances.

Turn-based combat is very fluid. Animations can be sped up, meaning you don't have to wait long for each move to finish. Fights mostly take place in a 3-on-3 format, although enemies may sometimes have less depending on luck or circumstances. What I don't understand is why we can't choose the three starting chimeras ourselves, instead the game assigns us three rather weak creatures that aren't too special. It is then up to us, as we travel, to discover statues or scroll vendors that will allow us to recruit creatures, for a price of course.

It won't take you long to get used to the strategic part of the game; very quickly you'll get the hang of how things work and start combining the chimera's different attacks and abilities. What sets this game apart from similar titles is your complete control over every move, including the enemy's. Which means you have to carefully study the situation in front of you and plan every move in advance. This includes rotation, and each round of combat is controlled by rolling three dice, each yielding a different type of attack. For example, you can protect yourself, attack from afar, counterattack, use magic, etc.

Battles in Dicefolk consist of combat where you rotate your team to determine the current attacking leader. Rotation is not only a means of determining who attacks and who is in charge, as rotating and changing leaders has certain impact on the battlefield. For example, you can have a chimera with ability that attacks instantly when it gets in the leader position. The game is simple in its premise, but it provides a fun experience that is sure to please a wide range of players, and also has a high degree of replayability.

The main attraction of Dicefolk lies in its unpredictability – you never know what you'll find, what enemies you'll face, or what boss you'll encounter. The whole experience of the game is like gambling, and it is not made easier by the fact that the game is quite challenging and sometimes forces you to rely on luck. The map is free to move around, where you'll find shops to buy gear and armor that provide various enhancements to your chimera party. In addition, you can upgrade dices or buy new ones. Various events can happen during the game, such as meeting adventurers from whom you can buy various bonuses. You need to find a campfire to heal, and cursed items can spawn that can't be removed from your creatures but provide valuable bonuses.

Like I mentioned before, you never know what you're going to get or who you're going to face, and that includes the rewards you get after defeating a boss or enemies. The rewards could definitely be richer, and this situation can be frustrating because you feel like you're not rewarded enough when you defeat an extremely difficult enemy. Enemies change throughout each game and vary depending on the biome you are in. However, each defeat does not necessarily mean the end, as each playthrough unlocks new things, be it new creatures or various useful bonuses.

There's no central hubs between runs where you can chat with characters and check your upgrades. The NPCs you meet often provide only the most basic information with no real insight into the world. On the other hand, chimeras are well designed, and I even like the biomes you explore, but the game in general just lacks proper narrative. The parts of the story you get come in bits and pieces, with different texts given to you in the form of short paragraphs.

Another intriguing feature includes the presence of shimmering creatures known as Iridescent. These creatures not only undergo changes in color but also undergo enhancements in their abilities, adding a fresh dimension to your strategic approach. Should you find a specific ability of these creatures incompatible with your team, the upgraded variant might offer a different perspective.

Finally, Dicefolk is a very solid title that brings some innovative approaches to the rougelike genre. Although you may feel that 10 hours of gameplay is a bit much, this game offers exceptional replayability and motivation to keep coming back. Rounds don't last too long, it can be challenging to progress further due to certain restrictions, but Pokemon-like creatures can always grab the player's attention. The graphics are solid, although a clear narrative is lacking, but you certainly won't regret trying this title.

Review copy provided by the publisher