Review: Slots & Daggers Is Great While Its Rolling
November 13, 2025
Gambling has never been more in vogue. While it might be worthwhile to discuss the problematic nature of that, it’s hard to deny that it makes for some great video game concepts. Slots & Daggers, an indie game developed by Friedemann, builds off of that trend in an especially enticing way. It’s an awesome little roguelite; though, its small scope can definitely be felt.
Enjoyability: 10/12 — Constant Serotonin Hits
I don’t think I really have to explain why slot machines are entertaining. There’s just nothing quite like the feeling of getting lucky. Slots & Daggers isn’t a purely luck-based game, though, and that actually is important for the overall experience. Depending purely on luck would be way more frustrating. How Slots & Daggers sets things up is absolutely the best choice for player enjoyment.
Success in Slots & Daggers will only come through smart planning. But even before that, there are plenty of skill checks and the like to keep players engaged. It’s a surprisingly effective method of generating regular interest. There’s always something positive to keep your mind busy, whether that’s a perfect dice roll or a critical hit. It feels satisfying when you work toward good results. It feels even better when it just falls into your lap.
Gameplay: 10/12 — Every Spin Matters
Slots & Daggers reaches great heights with its relatively simple gameplay concept. Slots usually involve a passive kind of enjoyment, but, as I’ve mentioned in the section before, this game makes sure to keep you invested in every action. Although players don’t have to build around symbols with skill checks, their inclusion is a huge plus for the game. They set the tone, making sure players stay fully engaged with each and every spin. Compared to other slot-based games, every spin really does matter here. The stakes always feel high.
Slots & Daggers is a roguelite, which means that there are various upgrades available that can change the player experience completely and permanently. The progression system in the game is brilliantly designed. Slots & Daggers wants you to learn at a steady pace. The most important upgrades take a couple of hours to obtain, intentionally done so that you’ll have familiarized yourself with different in-game strategies. The creative freedom in Slots & Daggers is very much appreciated. Being able to approach the game in so many different ways makes it feel extra special.
Atmosphere: 10/12 — Grungy Gambling
Slots & Daggers doesn’t exactly sell itself on its aesthetic, but its specific style of simplicity works very well. It has a cozy, grungy feel to it. There’s something about the slot machine and the color palette that just conveys a vague sense of degeneracy. That’s honestly the perfect image for a gambling game rooted in fantasy themes to convey. The sprite work is also overall pretty nice. It’s not particularly distinct, but it’s a coherent art style, nonetheless. Again, there’s nothing complex in Slots & Daggers’ artistic and musical choices, but it does great in its simplicity.
Design: 10/12 — Balanced Progression
Slots & Daggers is all about adapting to the enemies in front of you. If you can’t win a certain fight, then a loss is still valuable as a learning experience. Game knowledge isn’t exactly essential to the Slots & Daggers experience, but a deep familiarity with the available enemies can substantially help guide players in their preparations. A flexible set of equipment will generally prove superior, but building for a specific encounter may sometimes be the best approach. There aren’t exactly that many different unique enemy designs — from a gameplay perspective — but the game is pretty short. It’s hard to expect that much out of it.
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The shop in Slots & Daggers is fundamental to the game's evolution. The difficulty scales in a way that almost perfectly matches the strength of the available shop items. Once players have upgraded their attributes enough, just about any run can be beaten with the right purchases. It just takes some experimentation to find what works well together. This seamless balance is only possible thanks to the game’s smart design.
Direction: 9/12 — A Surprising Lack of Replay Value
Roguelites are generally defined by their great replayability. Slots & Daggers certainly is no different...until you beat the game. It’s an unusual problem, but it mainly has to do with how Slots & Daggers has you work toward a finite end. Once you’ve done so, there’s just no reason to keep playing. Beating the game actually feels like a proper conclusion. There’s also the fact that the game’s unlockables run out quick. By the time players beat the game, Slots & Daggers has nothing new to offer. The time before then is amazing, but Slots & Daggers is likely to leave most players wishing for more.
