Monday, October 23, 2023

Mini Review: Dicey Dungeons Nintendo Switch Game


Dicey Dungeons is a unique and captivating addition to the Nintendo Switch game library. Developed by Terry Cavanagh, the game combines elements of roguelike, deck-building, and strategy. As a result, you end up having thrilling and addictive experience in the most laidback form ever.

To me, one of the standout features of Dicey Dungeons is its charmingly simple yet stylish art design. The game's colorful, pixelated graphics and catchy chiptune soundtrack create a delightful and nostalgic atmosphere that's hard to resist. Together, both the visual and auditory appeal adds a layer of immersion to the gameplay.


I went and got myself a physical copy of the game from Super Rare Games, and although it was a little pricey I am totally enjoying myself!


What's it about?

At its core, Dicey Dungeons is all about strategy with a little randomness thrown in (you are only limited to the choices you are given). 

As a player, you will have to navigate a series of grid-based dungeons, battling various monsters using dice as your primary resource. The brilliance lies in the dice-rolling mechanics, where each piece of equipment you acquire is represented by a set of dice with specific abilities.  

To get started, you play as one of the show's six adorable contestants, all of whom are turned into dice for Lady Luck's show. To progress, you need to complete episodes by defeating enemies, opening chests and visiting stores while building up a deck of cards capable of defeating an end boss. 

One of the end bosses
The dungeons are presented as a series of nodes you can move between: there are shops, health-restoring apples, and enemies placed on several of them. To progress you need to fight enemies and reach the node that features the trap door to the next floor. The challenge is to optimize your dice to deal damage, heal, and overcome your adversaries, all while managing limited resources.
Example of how a dungeon and nodes looks like
Dicey Dungeons strikes a near-perfect balance between accessibility and depth. New players can grasp the basics quickly, while seasoned gamers will appreciate the strategic layers and decision-making involved in each encounter. 

As you progress, you will be able to unlock different characters. Each character has their own unique abilities and playstyles, enhancing the replayability and variety of the game so you will never get bored.
Choose carefully as there is a limited amount of space in your bag pack.
The roguelike nature of Dicey Dungeons keeps you coming back for more. Permanent upgrades and the excitement of unlocking new equipment and abilities provide a satisfying sense of progression. However, failure is frequent, and the random element of dice rolling can be unforgiving at times. This adds an addictive element, and tempts you to try one more time to  pass that episode. The rolling dice mechanics stay the same, but no two rolls are ever the same and each character uses them so uniquely that it is never the same experience each time you play.


Verdict: 4/5

While Dicey Dungeons is undoubtedly enjoyable, some players might find the difficulty spikes in later levels a bit frustrating, as the game's randomness can occasionally lead to unwinnable situations. Nevertheless, the sense of accomplishment when you finally conquer a tough floor is immensely gratifying. 

If you enjoy strategic gameplay, roguelike challenges, and quirky, retro aesthetics then Dicey Dungeons is a must-play! Its innovative mechanics, engaging strategy, and charming presentation make it a standout addition to the your game library. Despite occasional frustrations, the overall experience is highly rewarding, making Dicey Dungeons a game you'll want to keep rolling the dice in, time and time again.

What's even better is that there is a sale on the Nintendo eShop and the game is going for USD$1.99 (until 2 November 2023!).

If you prefer to have a physical copy, then get yours at Super Rare Games!

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