Key information
Dicevaders is a new roguelike from Pengonauts that tasks players with leading alien forces to destroy human Target Defenses. As a self-contained adventure, the game involves placing units across six columns, each corresponding to a die face, to reach specific damage milestones within four turns. Players unlock new commanders, abilities, and artifacts as they progress through runs.
The game features mechanics to mitigate random luck, such as using Chrono currency to reroll dice or shop, and Budge currency to adjust die values. Players can also freeze dice at no cost. Between rounds, earned currency allows for purchasing artifacts that provide buffs or boons to units, helping players manage their army and reach the required attack power.
Siliconera notes that while the game is engaging, it suffers from jarring difficulty spikes and balancing issues in later levels. The reviewer highlights massive jumps in Target Defense requirements, such as moving from 500,000 to 4,500,000 in consecutive nodes. Additionally, the reviewer feels the game lacks the strategic depth of the developer's previous title, StarVaders, describing it as a numbers-focused experience that offers less engagement than Balatro.
Despite these criticisms, the title remains a unique addition to the genre for those who enjoy chasing big numbers. Dicevaders is currently available on PC, Switch, and Switch 2, with potential gameplay longevity ranging from 10 to 70 hours.
