With Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, developer Stormteller Games returns to the whimsical and nightmarish world of Random, previously introduced by Zoink. Acting as both a spin-off and a standalone roguelike, the game revisits the dice-driven chaos and gothic aesthetic that helped the original stand out, but this time through a more combat-heavy, procedural lens. While its strategic depth and art direction hit familiar highs, a few design quirks and uneven pacing keep it just short of greatness. The end result is still a strong title, which we checked out on a PlayStation 5.
This new chapter swaps the tale of young Even for a more personal, vengeful journey led by Queen Aleksandra – an intriguing pivot that reimagines the former villain as a playable character. This role reversal creates a compelling premise, grounding the narrative in redemption and loss. Though the storyline doesn’t quite reach the emotional depth or tight pacing of the original campaign, its lore expansions and fully voiced characters still do a commendable job in fleshing out Random’s darkly imaginative world.
Gameplay in The Eternal Die revolves around dynamic real-time combat fused with dice-based tactical elements. It’s a layered system where success hinges on managing your hand of cards, triggering buffs or debuffs through Fortune (your die companion), and mastering four distinct weapon types. Each run unfolds across procedurally generated biomes, with encounters and synergies that can change dramatically depending on your build. The card and relic systems offer ample customization, which lends replayability, especially as you start chaining effects or adapting strategies to counter elite foes or world bosses.
However, as is often the case in roguelikes, the balance isn’t always perfect. Runs can feel overly long or front-loaded with difficulty spikes, particularly when a string of poor dice rolls or limited early relics slows your momentum. While death isn’t final – letting you return to the Sanctuary hub for upgrades and quests – the grind between meaningful unlocks can sometimes feel repetitive, especially in the midgame when you hit a few walls. Players looking for fast-paced progression may find this aspect uneven.
Controls are responsive and refined, making the real-time action feel fluid whether you’re dodging, parrying, or unleashing powerful combos. Each weapon type has a unique rhythm to learn, from the swift daggers to the heavy-hitting hammer, and players who invest time in mastering them will find a satisfying sense of growth. On PS5, loading times are brisk, and performance is stable, ensuring that the frequent transitions between combat zones and the Sanctuary don’t break immersion.
Visually, the game retains the gothic storybook charm of its predecessor, with Burton-esque landscapes, surreal enemy designs, and moody lighting giving each biome a distinct personality. Environments shift from crumbling cathedrals to murky forests and mechanical nightmares, maintaining a strong sense of visual variety. The audio work complements this perfectly – an ethereal soundtrack underlines the game’s somber yet fantastical tone, while the voice acting brings personality to even the most minor characters.
Ultimately, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die doesn’t reinvent the roguelike genre, but it meaningfully adapts its world and mechanics for fans who appreciated the original’s bold style. The combat is strategic, the visuals are rich, and the risk-reward dice rolls still manage to inject excitement into moment-to-moment gameplay. There’s some repetition, and the pacing can be punishing depending on your run, but it’s a distinctive experience nonetheless – one that blends dark fantasy with tactical flair in a way few games attempt.
Score: 8.1/10
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