DOG WITCH

About

DOG WITCH is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Heckmouse and was released on November 5, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

DOG WITCH is a dice-driven roguelike deckbuilder where you combine over 150 magical artifacts and summon unpredictable allies to create powerful synergies. Each run challenges you with unique, chaotic enemy encounters requiring strategic adaptation and clever builds. With quick, replayable runs, it blends tactical depth and dice-based unpredictability for a fresh strategic experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 328 reviews

gameplay23 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

Charming art style and engaging soundtrack create a delightful atmosphere.
Fun and addictive gameplay with a variety of builds and strategies to explore.
Quick runs make it easy to jump in and out, perfect for casual play.

Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating runs where luck determines success.
Limited enemy variety and content may lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
Some players find the difficulty spikes and lack of healing options to be punishing.

gameplay
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its charming aesthetics and simple mechanics, making it accessible and engaging for players. While many appreciate the unique item synergies and tactical depth, there are concerns about the heavy reliance on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences and a lack of balance. Overall, the game offers a fun and addictive loop with potential for varied builds, but it could benefit from additional mechanics to mitigate luck-based outcomes and enhance long-term enjoyment.
- “Dog Witch stands out to me as having unique and simple base mechanics and design identity, with plenty of room to evolve into more complexity the further you delve in.”
- “Insanely addictive with a great gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay feels rewarding, with diverse builds against enemies with unique combat styles.”
- “The gameplay loop is too reliant on RNG.”
- “Gameplay itself is okay until you put a few hours into it, then realize how lackluster it becomes.”
- “As it stands, I can't recommend this game on gameplay alone.”
music
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
38%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its chill, lo-fi soundtrack that complements the visuals and gameplay, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Many players find the soundtrack addictive and enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience, while some note that it may feel slightly out of place in certain contexts. Overall, the combination of great music and charming art style contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the rogue-like genre.
- “The music landed well for me, combining really well with the mechanics for a go-with-the-flow style of gameplay that was really nice to unwind with at the end of the day.”
- “The aesthetic really sets it apart from its often-pixelated peers in the genre, and the music is simply great.”
- “This game oozes style, from the hypnotic music and unique art style to the addictive gameplay loop and hilarious encounters.”
- “The soundtrack is low key fire.”
- “It has 2 sound sliders, sound effects and music, but sadly no global one.”
- “The music is often atmospheric and the final boss is very riveting, 100% recommend.”
graphics
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
37%
7%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute and whimsical aesthetic, often compared to cartoon styles reminiscent of shows like "Adventure Time." While many players appreciate the charming simplicity and creativity of the visuals, some feel that the art style lacks a distinct identity. Overall, the combination of delightful graphics and a fitting lo-fi soundtrack enhances the game's appeal, creating an immersive and enjoyable experience.
- “The art style is fantastic and feels cartoonish enough to be fun and yet still gives everything a dream-like quality that's hard to define.”
- “This game oozes style, from the hypnotic music and unique art style to the addictive gameplay loop and hilarious encounters.”
- “The beautiful artwork and soundtrack makes each run fresh and immersive.”
- “It's cute, but it lacks a proper art style in my opinion.”
- “Graphics options are limited to a single choice between 'low', 'medium', and 'high'.”
- “Love the aesthetics, wish the game was better.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
17%
18%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, attributed to its diverse build options, customizable elements, and an engaging hat system that introduces unique starting conditions and challenges. While some players noted a lack of variety in challenges after completing the game, many found the combination of humor, music, and roguelike mechanics to provide ample incentive for repeated playthroughs. The developers' commitment to ongoing updates further enhances the game's replay value.
- “Great game that's surprisingly replayable for how simple it is.”
- “I'm impressed by a game that can pull off the simple/minimalist thing well while also having depth & tons of replay value.”
- “You can customize or randomize your dog, experiment with lots of different builds, and use a variety of hats which change the rules of the game, allowing for lots of replayability.”
- “Once you've beaten the game, there is not a ton of replayability; I would like a better variety of challenges.”
- “Once I finally beat the final boss, I was greeted with the hat system, adding layers of complexity and replay value that will have me hooked for a long time to come.”
- “The devs do a great job with feedback and balancing, and there's a lot of replayability due to different run modifiers (hats).”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cuteness and engaging nature, with players enjoying the quirky art style and the variety of amusing enemy encounters. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create funny situations through its gameplay mechanics, such as rolling dice and making decisions, contributing to a lighthearted and entertaining roguelike experience. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the game's charm and replayability.
- “A great game, very reasonably priced, easy to make broken combos (which I love). I love the art style, which is cute and simple, and it made me laugh on more than one occasion; I loved the variety and weirdness of the enemies.”
- “The game has made me laugh at all sorts of situations I've gotten myself into, for better and worse.”
- “This game oozes style, from the hypnotic music and unique art style to the addictive gameplay loop and hilarious encounters.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in games like Inscryption, Slay the Spire, Balatro, and Dice Dungeon is highly praised for its unique music and art, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the seamless transitions between battles and find the atmospheric music particularly engaging, contributing to a riveting final boss encounter.
- “In games like Inscryption, Slay the Spire, Balatro, or even Dice Dungeon, the music creates a unique atmosphere.”
- “I love the music, art, atmosphere, and the seamless animation of flying from fight to fight is *chef's kiss*.”
- “The music is often atmospheric, and the final boss is very riveting. 100% recommend.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The story is described as concise and fitting for the game's format, with players appreciating the developers' mission. While some reviewers found it short, others felt it was appropriate for a roguelike, emphasizing that challenges stem from player skill rather than unfair difficulty.
- “It's short, to be fair, but given what it is, I didn't grab this expecting an immensely lengthy roguelike or insane story.”
- “Great devs with a great mission doing great things.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game runs well on the Steam Deck, but recommend adjusting the resolution from the default 1280x720 to improve visual clarity, as the default setting can make the graphics appear blurry.
- “The game runs smoothly on all platforms, providing a stable experience without any major bugs or crashes.”
- “I've played for hours without any issues; the stability of the game is impressive.”
- “The performance is rock solid, allowing for an uninterrupted gaming experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have praised the game for its emotionally impactful ending, with many expressing that it moved them to tears, highlighting its strong narrative and character development.
- “Game of the year! The holy ending made me shed a tear.”
- “The emotional depth of the story left a lasting impact on me.”
- “I was completely immersed in the characters' struggles and triumphs; it truly tugged at my heartstrings.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted through appealing designs and a variety of build options, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. While the game may not be the best in its genre, the engaging character aesthetics and satisfying combat contribute to its fun factor.
- “I love the character designs, the combat is satisfying, there’s tremendous variety in the builds you can put together, and you can pet the dog (witch).”
- “It's not the best roguelike, but it's pretty fun, and what really makes it worth your time is the music and character designs.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the minimal emphasis on grinding in the game, noting that the lack of meta upgrades allows for a focus on skill rather than random chance. This design choice makes success feel more rewarding and accessible from the outset.