Slots & Daggers

About

Slots & Daggers is a single player arcade simulation game. It was developed by Friedemann and was released on October 24, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Slots & Daggers is a unique blend of slot machine mechanics and fantasy RPG set in a weird, whimsical world filled with goblins and quirky characters. Featuring retro visuals, addictive arcade gameplay, and classic roguelike elements, it offers fast-paced combat and an engaging 4-8 hour campaign. Players can also challenge themselves in a high score arena mode with catchy hip hop beats.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,660 reviews

gameplay281 positive mentions

replayability37 negative mentions

Engaging and addictive gameplay loop that combines slot machine mechanics with roguelike elements.
Beautiful pixel art and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
Short playtime of around 4-6 hours, making it a perfect game for quick sessions without overstaying its welcome.

Limited content and replayability, with many players completing the game in just a few hours.
Some builds and items are significantly more powerful than others, leading to a lack of variety in strategies.
The game can feel repetitive once players discover the optimal strategies, diminishing the challenge.

gameplay
596 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The gameplay of "Slots & Daggers" is characterized by its addictive and engaging mechanics, blending slot machine elements with roguelike progression. While many players appreciate the fun and satisfying core gameplay loop, they also note a lack of depth and variety, leading to a repetitive experience after a few hours. Overall, the game is praised for its charming visuals and sound design, but it is often criticized for its limited content and the need for more diverse mechanics to enhance replayability.
- “Incredibly fun and addictive, great mechanics, simple and relaxing to play.”
- “The gameplay loop is very addictive and visually pleasing.”
- “The core gameplay is simple but surprisingly engaging, blending quick decision-making with a satisfying risk-reward system.”
- “Progression is boring both in gameplay and rewards.”
- “The game felt really repetitive with little skill or challenge to beat it, and most of the gameplay comes from clicking skill checks at the right time.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are not deep enough to keep me coming back upon initial completion.”
graphics
328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their charming and cohesive art style, which combines retro pixel art with engaging animations and satisfying sound effects. Reviewers appreciate the attention to detail and the overall aesthetic, describing it as visually stimulating and well-crafted, though some note that the gameplay can become repetitive. Overall, the visuals and sound design significantly enhance the gaming experience, making it a standout feature despite the game's brevity.
- “The atmosphere and visuals are well done, and the slot machine looks great as it spits out coins, lights up and beeps.”
- “Visually, it’s a treat—the developer clearly had a vision, and the art style is super cohesive.”
- “The graphics and animations were thoughtfully crafted.”
- “The gameplay was okay, but I just couldn't overlook the crappy graphics.”
- “I'm not sure why this got the hype it got beyond pretty pixel art/ad/animations & visuals.”
- “The art style is lacking though.”
replayability
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
59%
21%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its limited replayability, with many players noting that once they complete the main campaign, there is little incentive to return. While some enjoy experimenting with different builds or engaging in the arena mode, the consensus is that the game lacks depth and variety, making it feel short-lived after just a few hours of play. Many reviewers express hope for future updates to enhance content and replay value.
- “The game definitely falls shallow in terms of replayability and content, but it doesn't have to be in order to be enjoyed.”
- “I've already experienced all there is to offer but it has a lot of replayability which makes up for it.”
- “Took me about 4 hours to beat the campaign, but the replayability is strong thanks to varied runs and smart decisions.”
- “I really enjoyed the game until I beat it, at which point I realized there is no replayability and I've basically seen everything the game has to offer.”
- “My main complaint is that there is little replayability once you finish everything.”
- “The only thing I wish it had was more items or more content; once you beat the main storyline, there is little to no replay value.”
music
154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its catchy, upbeat, and engaging qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a satisfying atmosphere. While many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement the gameplay, some noted that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of music, sound design, and visuals contributes significantly to the game's charm and addictive nature.
- “The soundtrack and the sound design are simple, yet juicy, catchy and satisfying.”
- “The music is an absolute bop and the whole slot machine table thing I absolutely love.”
- “The atmosphere is just right, the music is just right.”
- “This game tries to engage you with screen shake, sparkles and nice SFX (though there isn't much music, so it gets boring really quickly).”
- “The music, however, is just 'fine'—it sets the tone but never really ramps up, leaving the drama a bit flat even when you're fighting for your life.”
- “Only gripe I had was the music; I know the game was developed by one guy, but after a while the same like 4 songs got old (and also just didn't match the vibe, in my opinion).”
story
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and lacking depth, with many players completing it in just a few hours, often feeling anticlimactic. While some appreciate the light narrative and its whimsical themes, others express a desire for a more fleshed-out storyline and additional content. Overall, the gameplay mechanics and arena mode seem to overshadow the story, which is often described as simple and forgettable.
- “The gameplay is nice and satisfying, the story fits the whole vibe, and the visuals tie everything together with a clean, charming retro style that makes the experience even more enjoyable.”
- “A simple to follow and engaging story as well as beautiful effects and visuals.”
- “The main story mode seems really well paced, arena mode lets you keep the party going, worth it by far!”
- “I completed the main story, which is all you have to do to get all achievements, in just over 8 hours, and finishing it felt very anti-climactic.”
- “The game’s minimalist storytelling also means there’s little narrative incentive to push forward—your motivation is purely mechanical, driven by the pursuit of stronger builds and higher scores.”
- “First of all, I don't know why I was expecting more on the story side, but I found out through gameplay there's pretty much no story at all, which I think because a simple roguelike game like this one could have a deeper lore.”
atmosphere
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
18%
7%
The atmosphere of *Slots & Daggers* is widely praised for its stylish visuals, immersive sound design, and captivating environment, creating a unique blend of charm and nostalgia. Reviewers highlight the game's artistic presentation and engaging audio, which together enhance the overall experience and keep players invested. Many consider the atmosphere to be one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its appeal and enjoyment.
- “You can tell a lot of thought went into the atmosphere and sound design.”
- “The atmosphere is one of the strongest parts of the game and kept me engaged throughout.”
- “The world of slots & daggers embraces a dark, fantasy atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and fresh.”
- “Each ambient noise and the overall visual style really contributed to the atmosphere the game created.”
- “Loved the artwork and sound design in this game, particularly the voices/laughing in the background, found it really added to the atmosphere.”
grinding
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
2%
95%
The reviews indicate that while the game offers a fun and engaging start, it quickly becomes grindy, requiring players to invest significant time to unlock upgrades and progress. Many players appreciate the game's clear ending and limited grinding, but some find the repetitive nature and difficulty spikes lead to a tedious experience. Overall, the balance between enjoyment and grind is a common point of contention, with some wishing for more variety and less reliance on grinding for progression.
- “It's a fun game, not too grindy, not too RNG-dependent gameplay.”
- “The game was fun at the start, but it's pretty easy to figure out the optimal combo and from there, it was kind of tedious and felt like I was waiting for the game to be over.”
- “This game feels like a short demo that was extended by a frustrating, grindy progression system instead of adding any meaningful content.”
- “I ended up grinding out the remaining unlocks with quick death runs, which was really tedious.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying its clever world-building, funny mechanics, and amusing character designs, such as "funny egg people." Many reviews highlight the game's ability to deliver laughs without becoming overly goofy, while the combination of roguelike elements and gambling adds a unique twist that keeps the experience fresh and entertaining. Overall, it is recommended for those looking for a lighthearted and humorous gaming experience.
- “I found a nearly infinite strategy that had me laughing.”
- “The pacing is tight, the humor lands without getting goofy, and the game keeps throwing little surprises that make each run feel fresh.”
- “It is both enjoyable for someone such as myself who is secretly a gambling addict, and funny for all of those folks who enjoy the roguelike aspect of slot machines that definitely exist in real life.”
- “It was a really fun game and awesome until they started nerfing everything. Now it's boring and frustrating; I wish I could refund the game. It's not funny anymore.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised for its smooth performance, stability, and effective UI scaling, with no significant performance issues reported. However, some balancing problems and specific gameplay mechanics indicate areas where optimization could be improved, suggesting untapped potential for deeper strategic play. Despite these concerns, the game remains enjoyable and accessible, making it a solid choice for roguelike enthusiasts.
- “The metaprogression was easy and there's a clear and distinct optimized build.”
- “The game itself runs smoothly, is stable, and the UI scales without issues.”
- “It's exactly what I hope for in a roguelike; enough random elements to make every run meaningful, balanced with the right level of player agency to make sure you have control over your build and performances in battle.”
- “So overall the optimization is bad and the replayability sadly not there.”
- “It has some balancing issues, like the egg of Kul in arena mode being unbeatable, explosion skill check being unreasonably hard, and the second life modifier being consumed before the second life power-up, which is just not optimized.”
- “Incredibly easy to sink hours in and still sense how much untapped potential there is in terms of strategy, optimization, etc.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to be quite buggy, with issues ranging from control glitches on the Steam Deck to inconsistencies in gameplay mechanics. While players find it enjoyable and visually appealing, the presence of numerous bugs and a lack of clarity in certain mechanics detracts from the overall experience. However, the developers are actively working on updates to address these stability concerns.
- “It is somewhat buggy, is too short and lacks endgame though.”
- “Very fun game, but it is extremely buggy.”
- “Fast mode (beta) could be buggy sometimes; I encountered an endlessly spinning wheel bug while quickly clicking the buttons in this mode.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The character development in the game is praised for its immersive and heartfelt designs, surpassing many triple-A titles. Players appreciate the visual aesthetics and the emotional impact of gameplay moments, such as achieving critical hits, which enhance the overall experience and contribute to a sense of accomplishment. Overall, the game shows significant potential in the rogue-like genre, particularly through its character design and development.
- “The character designs are immersive and have more heart than 90% of triple-A games out there.”
- “The background effects, the item effects, the lighting, and the character design are so pleasing to the eye. The feeling of accomplishment when you win against an enemy, and the mood changes in this game are phenomenal. It truly makes you feel like the one that should be feared in this fight.”
- “The background effects, the item effects, the lighting, the character design/overall design so fricken pleasing to the eye, the feeling of accomplishment when you win against an enemy, and the mood changes in this game are phenomenal, that feeling of getting a critical hit or a critical success and defeating a character so swiftly, it truly makes you feel like the one that should be feared in this fight is you, there's so much to appreciate about this game and overall it has a lot of potential to be great in the rogue-like space.”
- “I really like the different character designs, too.”
- “Better character design too.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's monetization model is praised for being non-intrusive, avoiding daily challenges and aggressive microtransactions, which allows players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend real money or frustrated by losses.
- “It doesn't overstay its welcome, it doesn't compete for your attention by including dailies, it doesn't encourage you to gamble with your real-life money via microtransactions, and it doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth when you lose a run.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, highlighting feelings of emotional damage and the addictive nature of "one more run" syndrome. Despite these intense feelings, many still appreciate the experience, comparing it favorably to other emotionally resonant games like Balatro.
- “But for what it is, I'd give it a perfect score - it made me feel the same way when I played Balatro for the first time.”
- “Instead, I got strategic gambling, emotional damage, and 'one more run' syndrome.”