{{Short description|2019 video game}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Use American English|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox video game | title = Dicey Dungeons | image = Dicey_dungeons_cover_art.png | developer = [[Terry Cavanagh (developer)|Terry Cavanagh]] | publisher = Terry Cavanagh | platforms = {{ubl|[[Linux]]|[[macOS]]|[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[iOS]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]}} | genre = [[Roguelike deck-building]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]] | designer = Terry Cavanagh | artist = Marlowe Dobbe | composer = [[Chipzel]] | released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|13 August 2019}}|'''Windows, macOS, Linux'''|13 August 2019|'''Switch'''|15 December 2020|'''Xbox One, Series X/S'''|11 November 2021|'''iOS, Android'''|7 July 2022|'''PS4, PS5'''|6 February 2023}} | writer = Holly Gramazio | programmer = Justo Delgado Baudi }}
'''''Dicey Dungeons''''' is a [[roguelike deck-building game]] developed by Irish game designer [[Terry Cavanagh (developer)|Terry Cavanagh]]. It was released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]] in August 2019, for [[Nintendo Switch]] in December 2020, for [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] in November 2021, and for [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation 5]] in February 2023. Ports for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] were released in July 2022.
== Gameplay == [[File:Dicey_dungeons_screenshot.png|thumb|The player character (bottom left) fighting a dungeon enemy (top right). Each turn, the player or enemy slot random dice rolls into equipment, represented by the larger boxes, as to have the numerical values create combat effects.|alt=|left]] ''Dicey Dungeons'' combines elements of [[roguelike]] games with [[deck-building game]]s. The game takes place on a [[game show]]-like backdrop, where Lady Luck challenges adventurers, who have been turned into dice, to complete a dungeon with a rather unlikely chance of winning their freedom. The player takes one of six characters, which defines the type of equipment they will start with. The player then moves their character across a dungeon map, where there are various encounters with monsters, treasure chests, health items, shops, and upgrade stations, along with exits to the next level. The goal of each run is to reach the lowest level of the dungeon and defeat the boss. Doing so unlocks the [[metagame]] progression, such as unlocking additional characters, or new episodes for existing characters that introduce new rulesets that make runs more difficult.<ref name="ars review"/>
When encountering a monster, the combat takes place in a turn-based manner. On their turn, the player is shown their equipment, each of which has slots for one or more dice to be added, and then a random roll of the number of dice their character currently possesses. The player then places each dice into one of the equipment slots; when all slots are filled, this creates a combat effect. For example, a sword may have a slot for a single dice, and when a dice is slotted, it will do the damage shown on that dice. Some slots have specific requirements, such as an odd or even number, or dice values less or greater than some number. Some equipment or abilities can alter the dice rolls, allowing the dice to be reused. The player continues to slot dice into equipment and abilities until they have exhausted their dice for the turn, or end their turn early. Their opponents have similar equipment with dice slots, and arranges their attacks in similar manner. There are various buffs and debuffs that can be triggered through equipment from both the player and enemy. Combat continues until the player character's health or the enemies' health drops to zero, or both. If only the player character's health is reduced to zero, then the game is over and the player must restart the game. If the enemy's health is reduced to zero, the enemy is defeated and the player character wins, gaining in-game monetary rewards and character experience, along with other potential rewards. By gaining levels, the player character gains more total health as well as an extra dice that is rolled. The player may also get new equipment that they can equip on the character at any time outside of battles. Shops in levels can be used to buy new equipment, trade equipment, or other features. Upgrade stations can improve the effect of one piece of equipment.<ref name="gamespot review">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dicey-dungeons-review/1900-6417267/|title=Dicey Dungeons Review|first=James|last=O'Conner|date=13 August 2019|access-date=13 August 2019|website=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814060158/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dicey-dungeons-review/1900-6417267/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Development == [[Terry Cavanagh (developer)|Terry Cavanagh]] announced ''Dicey Dungeons'' in May 2018, after about three months of prior development, with an in-progress free version available for users to try up to this point. Cavanagh had planned to produce a commercial version of the game for release later in 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/terry-cavanagh-dicey-dungeons-1202819623/ | title = 'Super Hexagon' Developer Reveals New Game 'Dicey Dungeons' | first = Stephanie | last = Fogel | date = 23 May 2018 | accessdate = 13 August 2019 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | archive-date = 14 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190814060154/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/terry-cavanagh-dicey-dungeons-1202819623/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/terry-cavanaghs-next-game-is-a-roll-the-bones-roguelike-called-dicey-dungeons/ | title = Terry Cavanagh's next game is a roll-the-bones roguelike called Dicey Dungeons | first = Andy | last = Chalk | date = 6 July 2018 | accessdate = 13 August 2019 | work = [[PC Gamer]] | archive-date = 14 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190814060151/https://www.pcgamer.com/terry-cavanaghs-next-game-is-a-roll-the-bones-roguelike-called-dicey-dungeons/ | url-status = live }}</ref> ''Dicey Dungeons'' is inspired by one of the first roguelike deck-builder games, ''Dream Quest''.<ref name="polygon release">{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/pc/2019/4/7/18299068/dicey-dungeons-terry-cavanagh-gdc-preview | title = Simple dice become the heroes in Terry Cavanagh's newest, Dicey Dungeons | first = Dante | last = Douglas | date = 13 August 2019 | accessdate = 13 August 2019 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = 15 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190415000638/https://www.polygon.com/pc/2019/4/7/18299068/dicey-dungeons-terry-cavanagh-gdc-preview | url-status = live }}</ref> The game's art was created by Marlowe Dobbe, while its music was composed by [[Chipzel]]<ref name="dtoid review" /> and it was written by Holly Gramazio.
''Dicey Dungeons'' was released on 13 August 2019 for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]] personal computers,<ref name="polygon release"/> and on 15 December 2020 for [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/dicey-dungeons-surprise-launch-on-switch-indie-world-terry-cavanagh | title = Dicey Dungeons Had a Surprise Launch on Switch Last Night | first = Mathew | last = Olsen | date = 16 December 2020 | accessdate = 16 December 2020 | work = [[USGamer]] | archive-date = 16 December 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201216155700/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/dicey-dungeons-surprise-launch-on-switch-indie-world-terry-cavanagh | url-status = dead }}</ref> The game was ported to [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] by Ratalaika Games,<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=RatalaikaGames|number=1457777420354809861|title=We're so happy to announce that we work side by side with @terrycavanagh to bring the amazing game, Dicey Dungeons, to Xbox consoles! (One and Series S{{!}}X) Hope everyone are looking forward to it|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> and released on 11 November 2021.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=terrycavanagh|number=1457771183512850434|title=Surprise! This Thursday the 11th, Dicey Dungeons is coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X{{!}}S! We're on game pass!|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
Cavanagh originally planned to release ports of the title for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] by 2020,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://toucharcade.com/2019/11/18/dicey-dungeons-mobile-nintendo-switch-release-window-ios-android-terry-cavanagh/ | title = 'Dicey Dungeons' from Terry Cavanagh and Friends Is Arriving on Mobile and Nintendo Switch in 2020 | first = Mikhail | last = Madnani | date = 18 November 2019 | accessdate = 18 November 2019 | work = [[Touch Arcade]] | archive-date = 19 November 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191119033405/https://toucharcade.com/2019/11/18/dicey-dungeons-mobile-nintendo-switch-release-window-ios-android-terry-cavanagh/ | url-status = live }}</ref> but these were released on 7 July 2022, alongside new content released for free, entitled "Reunion".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/dicey-dungeons-mobile-release-adorable-roguelike-new-dlc/ | title = Adorable roguelike Dicey Dungeons gets a mobile release, new DLC | first = Noelle | last = Warner | date = 7 July 2022 | accessdate = 7 July 2022 | work = [[Destructoid]] | archive-date = 7 July 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220707235037/https://www.destructoid.com/dicey-dungeons-mobile-release-adorable-roguelike-new-dlc/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
== Reception == {{Video game reviews | MC = PC: 80/100<ref name="MCPC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dicey-dungeons/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Dicey Dungeons for PC Reviews|access-date=16 August 2022|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-date=15 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815193010/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/dicey-dungeons|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>NS: 88/100<ref name="MCNS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dicey-dungeons/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Dicey Dungeons for Switch Reviews|access-date=10 July 2022|website=[[Metacritic]]|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811235203/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/dicey-dungeons|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>IOS: 98/100<ref name="MCIOS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dicey-dungeons/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=Dicey Dungeons for iPhone/iPad Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=17 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817064316/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/dicey-dungeons|url-status=live}}</ref> | OC = 87% recommend<ref name="opencritic">{{cite web|url=https://opencritic.com/game/8104/dicey-dungeons|title=''Dicey Dungeons''|publisher=[[OpenCritic]]|access-date=January 17, 2026}}</ref> | Destruct = 10/10<ref name="dtoid review">{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dicey-dungeons/|title=Review: Dicey Dungeons|first=Patrick|last=Hancock|date=13 August 2019|access-date=16 August 2019|website=[[Destructoid]]|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615022237/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dicey-dungeons/|url-status=live}}</ref> | GameRev = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="GameRev">{{Cite web|last=Santa Maria|first=Alex|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/583089-dicey-dungeons-review|title=Dicey Dungeons Review {{!}} A crapshoot without the crap|website=[[GameRevolution]]|date=19 August 2019|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=17 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817064416/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/583089-dicey-dungeons-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref name="gamespot review"/> | NLife = {{Rating|9|10}}<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/dicey_dungeons|title=Dicey Dungeons Review (Switch eShop)|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered websites|Nintendo Life]]|date=22 December 2020|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=17 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817064315/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/dicey_dungeons|url-status=live}}</ref> | NWR = 9.5/10<ref name="NWR">{{Cite web|last=Ronaghan|first=Neal|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/55907/dicey-dungeons-switch-review|title=Dicey Dungeons (Switch) Review|website=Nintendo World Report|date=6 January 2021|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=16 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716122837/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/55907/dicey-dungeons-switch-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | PCGUS = 81/100<ref name="pcgamer review">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dicey-dungeons-review/|title=Dicey Dungeons Review|first=Phil|last=Iwaniuk|date=20 August 2019|access-date=20 August 2019|website=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820230204/https://www.pcgamer.com/dicey-dungeons-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> | PG = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="PG">{{Cite web|last=Ng Dellosa|first=Catherine|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/dicey-dungeons/review/|title=Dicey Dungeons review - "Roguelike dice-rolling fun at the mercy of Lady Luck"|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|date=7 July 2022|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=13 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813065555/https://www.pocketgamer.com/dicey-dungeons/review/|url-status=live}}</ref> | RPGFan = 72/100<ref name="RPGFan">{{Cite web|last=Richardson|first=Bob|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/dicey-dungeons/|title=Dicey Dungeons|website=RPGFan|date=13 August 2019|access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> | TA = NS: 4.5/5<ref name="TANS">{{Cite web|last=Musgrave|first=Shaun|url=https://toucharcade.com/2020/12/30/switcharcade-round-up-mini-views-featuring-dicey-dungeons-and-more-plus-the-latest-news-and-sales/|title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Mini-Views Featuring 'Dicey Dungeons' and More, Plus the Latest News and Sales|website=[[TouchArcade]]|date=30 December 2020|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=7 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707160905/https://toucharcade.com/2020/12/30/switcharcade-round-up-mini-views-featuring-dicey-dungeons-and-more-plus-the-latest-news-and-sales/|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>IOS: {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="TAIOS">{{Cite web|url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/07/08/dicey-dungeons-mobile-review-iphone-ipad-android/|title='Dicey Dungeons' Review – Worth Rolling the Dice On|last=Madnani|first=Mikhail|date=8 July 2022|website=[[TouchArcade]]|access-date=10 July 2022|archive-date=22 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122061625/https://toucharcade.com/2022/07/08/dicey-dungeons-mobile-review-iphone-ipad-android/|url-status=live}}</ref> | USG = 3/5<ref name="usg review">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/dicey-dungeons-review|title=Dicey Dungeons Review|first=Mike|last=Williams|date=13 August 2019|access-date=16 August 2019|website=[[Gamer Network#Former|USgamer]]|archive-date=1 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201154645/https://www.vg247.com/dicey-dungeons-review|url-status=live}}</ref> }}
''Dicey Dungeons'' received "generally favorable" reviews for Windows and Switch according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]];<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCNS"/> the mobile version received "universal acclaim".<ref name="MCIOS"/> Fellow review aggregator [[OpenCritic]] assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 87% of critics.<ref name="opencritic"/> The game has been called a good introduction into [[roguelike deck-building game]]s.<ref name="vice dicey">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dicey-dungeons-will-help-you-understand-the-best-new-genre-in-games/|title='Dicey Dungeons' Will Help You Understand the Best New Genre in Games|first=Austin|last=Walker|date=13 August 2019|access-date=14 August 2019|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|publisher=[[Vice Media|Vice Media Group LLC]]|archive-date=16 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816164852/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ywazym/dicey-dungeons-will-help-you-understand-the-best-new-genre-in-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ars review">{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/08/dicey-dungeons-review-well-there-goes-another-100-hours-of-my-life/ | title = Dicey Dungeons review: Well, there goes another 100 hours of my life | first = Aaron | last = Zimmerman | date = 20 August 2019 | accessdate = 20 August 2019 | work = [[Ars Technica]] | archive-date = 20 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190820155600/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2019/08/dicey-dungeons-review-well-there-goes-another-100-hours-of-my-life/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The Windows release of the game was among the best-selling new releases of the month on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/sale/2019_top_new |title=Best of 2019: New Releases |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |date=26 December 2019 |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191228165246/https://store.steampowered.com/sale/2019_top_new |archive-date=28 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Based on total revenue for the first two weeks on sale.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/1708485146980406784 |title=A Look Back - The Best of 2019 |date=26 December 2019 |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |publisher=[[Valve Corporation|Valve]] |access-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191228165922/https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/1708485146980406784 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
Following its initial release exclusive to [[Bandcamp]], game soundtrack record label Materia Collective released the official soundtrack by [[Chipzel]] on 20 December 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamingaudionews.com/2019/12/20/electronic-soundtrack-to-dicey-dungeons-now-widely-available/|title=Electronic soundtrack to Dicey Dungeons now widely available|website=Gaming Audio News|date=20 December 2019|access-date=16 August 2022|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705071534/https://gamingaudionews.com/2019/12/20/electronic-soundtrack-to-dicey-dungeons-now-widely-available/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Clear}}
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{official website|http://diceydungeons.com/}}
[[Category:2019 video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Digital deck-building card games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:Linux games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Ratalaika Games games]] [[Category:Roguelike video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games designed by Terry Cavanagh (developer)]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Video games scored by Niamh Houston]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Cloud Gaming games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]