A roguelike dungeon crawler starring a billiard ball
Rack and Slay is a paid 3D roguelike dungeon crawler and strategy game developed by Ludokultur and published by 2 Left Thumbs. The game has a simple story that revolves around roleplaying an anthropomorphic billiard ball through randomly generated levels, using physics to push enemy balls into holes or traps.
Rack and Slay have over 100 stackable items to collect and combine, and players can create different builds to customize their playstyle and match the increasing challenges. Whether you prefer a full 10-level dungeon crawl or a quick single-level raid, Rack and Slay offers multiple game modes to suit your pace.
Not your typical roguelike game
Rack and Slay’s notable key feature is its item drafting system. Between each level, you can choose from a selection of powerful items that can drastically alter your approach to combat and movement. This creates a reason to experiment between your builds and allows for diverse strategies to emerge. The game also has 20 difficulty levels, each introducing new modifiers that challenge you to refine your skills as you progress.
Furthermore, the developers have been actively supporting the game with updates, now with the new Patch 1.27. This patch focused on enhancing the aesthetics of the game by adding new floor tiles, wall graphics, and hole designs. It also addressed minor bugs and text typos. It has a simplistic style with cartoonish violence and a basic soundtrack. The system requirements are suitable for lower-end hardware because of its lightweight graphics.
As with other games, it does have some drawbacks. The simplistic graphics and repetitive sound effects may not appeal to players seeking a more visually impressive game, especially since it’s a paid game. Additionally, the game’s reliance on physics-based mechanics can occasionally lead to unpredictable outcomes, which may frustrate some players at first. Nonetheless, once you get the hang of it, it’s very enjoyable with the opportunity for endless replayability.
An alright indie roguelike game
Overall, Rack and Slay is a solid choice for fans of roguelike. Its unique blend of billiards and dungeon crawling and a variety of items, difficulty levels, and game modes gives high replayability, while the frequent updates and active developer support demonstrate a commitment to providing a polished and enjoyable experience. Despite its minor shortcomings, Rack and Slay delivers fun gameplay that will keep you coming back for one more run.
