astragali

About

astragali is a single player action game. It was developed by 0range and was released on January 31, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Astragali is a unique 3D game where players throw upgraded dice featuring historically accurate enhancements and use a novel addition mechanic to determine the winner. With turbo-boosted graphics, intuitive point-and-click controls, and at least twenty levels, it offers engaging gameplay infused with the illusion of free will—and even includes a horse.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 113 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

The game offers a captivating and unique experience with its blend of dice mechanics and a surreal atmosphere.
It's a fun and engaging game that provides a quick yet strategic gameplay loop, making it a great time killer.
The art style and ambient sound design contribute to a memorable and immersive experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

The game can become too easy and repetitive once players discover powerful dice combinations, leading to a lack of challenge.
Some mechanics, like the recycling and lingering dice, are perceived as overpowered, disrupting game balance.
The AI opponents are often criticized for their lack of strategic play, making matches feel less engaging over time.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of luck and strategy, featuring engaging mechanics centered around dice-throwing and physics. Players appreciate the quick and accessible nature of the game, though some find the reliance on luck and standard variations of "dice-builders" to be limiting. Overall, the unique scoring systems and clever mechanics contribute to a fun and atmospheric experience, despite occasional frustrations with the game's abrupt closure upon losing.
- “Atmospheric and strange math puzzler with some really cool scoring mechanics.”
- “A quick, fun little roguelike, with some neat mechanics and clever use of physics!”
- “Easy gameplay concept to grasp but fun to learn and optimize.”
- “None of them utilize the 'reroll enemy's dice' mechanic, and they all seem to want to actively throw their dice down the board on the bottom edge... I guess to make the match more interesting?”
- “Only wish is that there was more gameplay.”
- “Astragali is a simple roguelite/roguelike (can't decide) with gameplay that is quick to grasp even in the absence of a tutorial--you throw dice with the intent to get the highest number between you and the strange statue-like figure you face that likes to insult you.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's graphics are praised for their surreal and creative aesthetic, featuring a unique "weird topology" style that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the experimental art style and fitting background music, although some express a desire for more content to fully explore the visuals. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and vibe.
- “What drew me to this game though, and what really makes me wish there was more of it was the surreal aesthetic and opaque metanarrative.”
- “I absolutely love the 'weird topology' aesthetic!”
- “I'm a big fan of the art style and the vibe.”
- “But I understand, the game's aesthetic relies on those abrupt and unquestionable moments.”
- “The art style is creative and experimental, the game is a little short, and I did expect something at the end, but the ending was still fun nonetheless.”
- “What drew me to this game though, and what really makes me wish there was more of it, was the surreal aesthetic and opaque metanarrative.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's atmosphere is characterized as eerie and atmospheric, drawing comparisons to the unsettling tone of Inscryption's first chapter. It effectively blends roguelike deckbuilding with a sense of intrigue and existential questioning, creating a unique and immersive experience for players.
- “Atmospheric and strange math puzzler with some really cool scoring mechanics.”
- “The eerie atmosphere reminds me of Inscryption's first chapter, which is always welcome.”
- “This is an incredible object that blends roguelike deckbuilding with an ominous atmosphere and a genuine questioning of the player that defies expectations of a game in such a stark way.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the quick playtime and the challenge of maximizing dice outcomes, others find it limited and primarily enjoyable as a one-time experience. Overall, it may appeal to those who enjoy the thrill of rolling dice but lacks depth for extended play.
- “Takes less than an hour to play, has a brief but notable message, and good replay value to see just how cracked you can get your dice to be.”
- “There's not much replayability, unless you really enjoy watching the dice hit the table.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying the game feel tedious and uninteresting.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional impact, with some expressing that the game elicited tears, particularly during moments of direct confrontation or insult from characters, highlighting its ability to engage players on a deep emotional level.
- “I cried when the statue directly insulted me; it was worth the play.”
- “The emotional depth of the story left me in tears.”
- “I felt a profound connection to the characters, which made the experience unforgettable.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's story is intertwined with its difficulty progression, which some players feel could benefit from a steeper challenge in later rounds. However, this stagnation is seen as a deliberate narrative choice, suggesting that the story may be more impactful with additional content and depth.
- “It would have been a better feeling for me personally if the later rounds' difficulty scaled more steeply, but the stagnation in difficulty is probably a part of the story the game is telling, so it's not that big of a deal.”
- “Would make for a great roguelike with added content and storyline.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its engaging and quick gameplay, with a comedic twist stemming from the game closing upon losing, which can be amusing initially but may become frustrating over time, especially during streaming sessions.
- “The style is interesting and the gameplay is quick yet engaging—though the game does close when you lose, which is only really funny the first five times if you're trying to stream it to friends.”
- “Because that would be infuriating if they knocked off my investment dice, but also it would be so funny.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Reviewers appreciate the game's interesting aesthetic and fitting background music, but they suggest the addition of a music/ambience slider for better customization of the audio experience.
- “Interesting aesthetic, fitting background music.”
- “But please add a music/ambience slider.”
- “Interesting aesthetic, but the background music could be improved.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game both engaging and tedious, as it encourages long hours of play to increase total points. While the game is well-crafted, its design intentionally emphasizes repetitive tasks, which may not appeal to everyone.
- “Pretty well made overall, but it's a tedious game meant to be tedious.”
- “I could sit here for hours just grinding to see how much higher I can get my total points up to.”