🎲 Lost in Random Review – A Dark Fairytale Roguelite Worth Rolling the Dice On
⭐ 9/10 – A dice-fuelled roguelite with style, challenge, and plenty of replay value.
I’ve always been a sucker for action RPGs. Diablo II was my gateway drug, Torchlight stole countless hours, and I’ve sunk more hours than I can count into both Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2. So when Lost in Random came along with its dice-driven combat and dark, storybook aesthetic, I couldn’t resist. Even better, there was a demo that gave me a solid taste before diving in fully.
Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, Lost in Random blends roguelite progression with a gothic board-game world. But does it actually deliver a fresh spin on the formula, or just another roll of the dice? Let’s find out.
First Impressions
After a short and easy-to-digest story setup, you’re dropped into a tutorial zone that does its job well: teaching movement, dashing (since there’s no jump), basic attacks, and the unique die companion mechanic. It’s a clean, no-nonsense intro that gives you all your core tools right away.
The art style immediately stands out. Imagine a living, twisted board game with a dash of chess and a Tim Burton flair. The first zone, a nightmarish medieval castle, feels both unsettling and beautiful, packed with detail. Animations are smooth, textures are finely crafted, and enemies look fantastic. Controls are tight, movement is snappy, and combat feels responsive. Enemies telegraph their attacks clearly, so when you take a hit, it’s on you.
Gameplay & Mechanics
At its core, Lost in Random runs on the same loop as a modern roguelite like Hades. You push through procedurally generated dungeons, clearing enemy rooms and earning loot in the form of boons, damage buffs, and ability upgrades. Die, and those upgrades vanish, but you keep currency for long-term progression back at the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is more than just a hub. As you progress, you collect characters and unlock new features there. Two types of permanent currency feed into long-term growth. One is used to unlock new weapons, and the other expands your base stats with permanent boons.
You begin with a simple sword, but the arsenal opens up over time. A bow, a lance, and a heavy two-handed hammer can all be unlocked, and each weapon has four distinct styles that change how it plays. Add to that a wide range of permanent boons and upgrades, and the sanctuary becomes the backbone of your growth. It will take many runs to see everything unlocked, which keeps the loop satisfying.
Then there’s your dice companion. He’s not just a gimmick — he’s a little character with legs, arms, personality, and his own dice language. Rolling him deals direct damage based on the number he lands on, and as you unlock more abilities, his rolls can also trigger effects.
On top of that are the cards. These aren’t single-use throwaways. Each card grants a power that charges up as you fight, and you can only hold one at a time. Swapping cards mid-run adds an extra layer of decision-making, since each ability can dramatically shift how you approach a battle. Combined with dice boons, this creates combat that feels layered and tactical without ever getting too bogged down.
The difficulty curve feels fair. Early battles ease you in, but mini-bosses force you to sharpen up before the final encounters. Boss fights are proper highlights, challenging without being unfair, and satisfying when you finally crack them. And once the story is over, the game doesn’t let you rest. Harder difficulty modes and self-imposed weaknesses keep the replay loop alive.
There are also clever mini-games tucked into dungeon runs, which fit the board-game theme perfectly and break up the action with something fresh.
Story & Worldbuilding
I don’t usually come to roguelites for the story, but Lost in Random surprised me here. It’s a dark fantasy tale where your heroine is consumed by grief and transformed by a cursed black die. The writing is sharp, the atmosphere moody, and the world feels cohesive.
The voice acting is excellent. It reminds me of Hades — maybe not as sprawling, but the same quality and variety, with plenty of personality across the cast. Every character has quirks and energy, and it goes a long way in making the world feel alive.
Visuals & Sound
From the first roll of the die, the presentation nails it. Gentle exploration music swells into tense battle tracks, and every hit feels crunchy and weighty. Combat animations are fluid and satisfying, while environmental design keeps each area distinct and atmospheric.
It’s not just pretty for the sake of it either. The aesthetic supports the mechanics, and the mood shifts with the action.
Performance & Polish
On PS5, Lost in Random runs flawlessly. No bugs, no frame drops, just smooth action from start to finish. Even on Steam Deck, it’s well-optimized and stable. The UI is simple, readable, and intuitive, letting you focus on placement of items and upgrades without unnecessary clutter.
Final Thoughts
Lost in Random is more than just another roguelite. Its dice companion adds an unpredictable twist to combat that feels both fresh and tactical, while its story and atmosphere are richer than most games in the genre. The sanctuary system ensures there’s always something new to work toward, whether it’s unlocking weapons, experimenting with different styles, or collecting boons.
If you’re into action RPGs and roguelites like Hades, Torchlight, or Path of Exile, this one is worth your time.
I went in expecting tight gameplay. I came out impressed by the whole package.
