Game: Dice ‘n Goblins
Genre: RPG
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Tsukumogami Software
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $13.99 | UK £11.79 | EU € 13,79
Release Date: April 4th, 2025
A review code was provided, thanks to Tsukumogami Software.
Dice ‘n Goblins – A Cute Dungeon Crawler
Dice ‘n Goblins is a first-person dungeon crawler with turn-based combat, offering a more approachable experience than the often-intimidating genre staples like Etrian Odyssey. While those games have their own merits, they can be overwhelming for new players. Dice ‘n Goblins serves as a fantastic entry point, easing players into its mechanics while still maintaining a satisfying challenge.
Finding a Home
You take on the role of Gobby, a goblin knight who has been forced to flee her home after an invasion by the mysterious “Builders.” Now, she’s on a journey to find a new safe haven for her fellow goblins. From the moment I started playing, I found myself drawn to Gobby’s character. She has a warmth and kindness that shines through in her interactions with NPCs, and her curiosity about the world adds a sense of wonder to the adventure. Impressively, all of this is conveyed through simple yet effective text dialogue.
Exploring the Dungeons
The game is a blend of dungeon exploration and turn-based battles. You navigate large dungeons from a first-person perspective, moving in a grid-based fashion, almost like stepping through a board game. Every time you move, enemies in the dungeon take a step as well, creating a tactical rhythm to exploration.
Your primary objective is to find the exit to each dungeon floor, but there are plenty of incentives to explore. Chests contain useful loot, vendors sell weapons and skills, and bonfires offer a place to recover health. However, using them also revives all defeated enemies, making for an interesting risk-reward mechanic. If you’re worried about difficulty, good news: dying doesn’t mean losing progress. You’ll keep all your items and experience, so no run ever feels like a waste of time. Plus, the ability to save anywhere makes it a great pick-up-and-play experience for busy players.
Battles with Dice
When you encounter an enemy, combat plays out through dice rolls. The dice correspond to the equipment you have equipped: red dice for the attack, blue for defence, and green for healing. Rolling these determines the strength of your attacks and how much damage you can block.
To keep things from feeling too reliant on luck, the game gives you a limited number of stars that can be spent to re-roll dice or activate special abilities. However, using these abilities drains your stars, and replenishing them requires skipping a turn. This adds an interesting layer of strategy: do you push your luck and rely on dice rolls, or do you burn through your limited resources to ensure a victory? Equipment can also grant extra abilities based on specific dice rolls, allowing for creative combos and different playstyles. Whether you prefer brute force or a more methodical approach, the game accommodates both.
Welcoming for All
One of the strongest aspects of Dice ‘n Goblins is how accessible it is. Instead of overwhelming players with long tutorial menus, it gradually introduces mechanics, making it an excellent starting point for newcomers. But don’t mistake “accessible” for “easy”. Even experienced players will find plenty of challenges here. Enemies have distinct attack patterns and status effects to overcome, ensuring that battles remain engaging throughout.
Storybook Style
The game’s visual design combines 3D dungeon environments with charming 2D sprite work. While atmospheric, the dungeons can sometimes feel repetitive due to similar colour palettes, which can make it tricky to spot hidden passageways. However, the beautifully illustrated character sprites compensate for this, giving the game a unique storybook aesthetic.
Enemies and NPCs look like they’ve been lifted straight from a children’s fantasy book, adding to the game’s whimsical charm. Even in battle, enemies move in a way that resembles board game pieces, and when they’re defeated, they topple over like fallen figurines. It’s a small touch, but it enhances the overall playful tone of the game.
Conclusion: A Welcoming Dungeon
Dice ‘n Goblins is a delightful dungeon crawler that welcomes both newcomers and seasoned players alike. While veterans of the genre might find it on the easier side, most players will be captivated by its charming art, engaging dice-based combat, and accessible mechanics. If you’ve ever been curious about dungeon crawlers but found them too intimidating, this is the perfect game to start with. It’s proof that rolling the dice can be both fun and strategic. Highly recommended! If you want to try first, a free demo is available on Steam.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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