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My hands are cramping as I write this because I’ve spent about 100 hours in a mobile game in the past month.

You heard it right: exactly what I renounced ten years ago. My boyfriend grins scornfully when he passes by and wonders exactly how I could play this game as well as Elden Ring. An annoyed ‘I can’t believe you’re playing a game on your phone’ and ‘Dicey Dungeons, again?‘ and in a final act of desperation to get an ounce of my attention, he breaks into a mocking dance as the synth keyboard and jazz ensemble rattle my phone’s speaker. The soundtrack is upbeat and catchy and offers enough serotonin that I never play on mute.

I haven’t spent that much time on mobile gaming since the good old days of Plants vs. Zombies, Angry Birds and Peggle – the originals, not the distorted sparsely related ancestors that exist today. These mobile games cost money rather than carry the dreaded “In-App Purchases” label with the aim of slowly emptying your bank account and sanity by bringing you back in timely, promising intervals. I have one simple rule for my mobile games: no microtransactions.

Dicey Dungeons is the sweet low price of $4.99 and I swear this isn’t an ad.

A screenshot of the game; the player takes his turn against Madison.
Source: Screenshot author

Diving in the dungeon

So what is Dicey Dungeons, and what the hell is a roguelike deckbuilder?

Pre-COVID, I was quick to tell you that I hated roguelikes. For me it felt frustrating and boring to start over and over, with nothing to show for my achievements.

Now, in my post-covid reality, I am completely mesmerized by roguelikes. If I Thief dice play 20 times, switching the dungeon dwellers, treasures and bosses, making every run fresh. I can quickly jump in and out of the game and the game suspends my progress even if I close the app.

Each character equips a different starting ‘deck’ or move set, and each small die has a unique fighting style and skill. Will you choose poison, shield, electric or ice? Playing an inventor and being forced to change moves every time? Or just become a bear and crush a level in record time?

A screenshot of the game; the player takes a turn against Sorceress.
Source: Screenshot author

Lady Luck and the Dungeon Dwellers

So, what makes this game special?

Lady Luck flashes a menacing smile from the title screen, the once humans turned into dice and were locked up like her toys in an unbeatable dungeon. But maybe, for once, the wheel will land on a prize? Any price? I’m starting to think there’s something wrong with this wheel.

Lady Luck promises ‘the true desire of your heart’ and each character has their own motivation to enter the dungeon. Fame? Power? Money? As the story progresses, the battle-worn dice seem more and more tired with the creeping realization that Lady Luck may not be on their side…

A screenshot of the game; Lady Luck shakes a fist at the player and says:
Source: Screenshot author

And the ‘dwellers’ of the dungeon are just that: no enemies or monsters.

In a manner similar to Undertale, they are innocent in this debacle. There’s a puppy looking for its mother, some unlikely lovers, an insecure cactus sharpening its spines and a rabbit tending a garden. Each of the dungeon’s inhabitants has made a home in this place and has their favorite books and movies, karaoke sing-alongs and endearing quirks. Aurora will change the weather with her moods, Kraken will shower with status effects and Loud Bird will annoy you and prolong the battle with dodge.

The last door

The final door of Dicey Dungeons really made this game special for me and made the challenge of completing all six dice doors worth the time and effort.

Without spoilers, I can say that the Final Door was completely unexpected, with a gameplay twist and new dialogue that offers insight into the lives of everyone who calls the dungeon home. As the credits roll, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful artwork depicting the lives of all the friends you’ve made along the way.

Source: Screenshot author

Dicey Dungeons is a fantastic mobile game

If you decide to play, don’t forget to go back and check out the hard difficulty levels! After you finish the game, the dialogue changes and everyone recognizes your efforts. You can also find two free DLCs on the title screen under Bonus Episodes.

Dicey Dungeons outlines an example of a perfect mobile port. I don’t regret spending so much time on a mobile game as the alternative for me is doom scrolling and getting tired, tired and anxious eyes. Having a quality and challenging mobile game recharged me and renewed my lost motivation.

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