Developed By: Smart Raven Studio
Published By: Kwalee
Category: RPG
Release Date: 05.19.26
Price: $14.99
*Game Download Code graciously provided for the purpose of review
I never thought I’d enjoy a game about dice so much, but here I am talking about Rune Dice. It’s a very simple game that doesn’t have much to talk about, but it’s so addicting. If you’ve ever played Slay The Spire, you’ll feel right at home because it’s the same game, just with dice instead of cards. The game is really simple to learn, but it gets more complicated as you unlock characters and relics.
At the start of each run, you select a character and play a long series of events. Most of these are battles, but there’s a variety of random ones like shops and upgrade chances. You start each battle with a field of dice, each one has a different value and maybe an effect. Each turn you get to throw a die that has a value of one anywhere on the field. This is where total chaos begins.
If you hit another one die, the two merge and become a two die. You then deal one point of damage to your enemies twice. Then your new two die bounces towards another two die and will attempt to merge with it. This creates a huge chain of events that can do lots of damage. Some dice have effects like burning an enemy or rewarding you with health and gold.
At the end of each battle you get a reward. Could be a new die or relic, it could be a boost to your health. Pick the one you like the most and then repeat the process. You’ll also periodically have chances to buy or upgrade stuff throughout your run. Once you either beat the final boss or lose a battle, your run ends and you get to start all over again. There are three multiple biomes to play through, and each one features multiple final bosses.
As you do more runs you’ll unlock more characters and upgrade the ones you use while also unlocking a bunch of new relics and dice. One run might only take you about twenty or so minutes, but you’re going to keep playing over and over so you can watch the rewards pile up. Rune Dice is such a fun game. Even if you only do a few runs, you’ll have a blast. The game is very easy to understand, but it’s also so satisfying when you do a huge combo. The game is super addicting and is well worth the $14.99 price tag.
8/10