Last year, I tried Lost in Random. In a different scenario, I would have loved to have played more of it. I enjoyed its art style, and the adventuring seemed fun. Instead of a direct sequel, we got something different. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is an isometric rogue-like game inspired by the success of Hades. While I’m finding it fun and challenging, those familiar with this style of game might not feel the same.
An interesting choice as a follow-up
Without the familiarity of the first game, it’s hard to tell how much they connect. Our main character, Aleksandra, was the main antagonist in the first game. But, it doesn’t seem like you need to know about what happened earlier to follow the story here. It feels like a self-contained narrative, focusing on Queen Aleksandra and her predicament.
Where the first game was a 3D adventure game, this is an isometric action game with the focus on replaying the game. Every run, regardless of how far you go, reveals aspects of the story. As you discover more things, it unlocks new features and skills for Aleksandra to use in combat.
That means that you’ll get stronger and live longer to run through the games in four locations. Each one has its theme. Although you can’t carry the gold you’ve collected from each run, there are others that you can. These allow you to unlock and improve your weapons. They are also used to unlock perks that allow you to start a run with increased health, revive, and better evade.
An Addictive Gameplay Loop
I quite enjoyed Hades, and while I haven’t played the early-access version of Hades II, it’s a game I’m eager to play. So for me, The Eternal Die scratches that itch in the meantime. I find that the combat here is challenging but rewarding. Aleksandra isn’t a sponge, so she can fall in battle in a short time. It took a bit to get the hang of the controls, especially when it comes to defensive timing.
Her arsenal of weapons includes one main weapon, a spell, and your die assistant Fortune. There are four main weapons to unlock and use. As a fan of long-range attacks, I’ve relied on the Bow and Arrow. You get a random Spell at the start of each run. Depending on your run, you might be able to find alternatives as you progress. As for your dice, Fortune is a tossable weapon that can do some significant damage. But you do need to retrieve it to use it again. That puts you in a position where you need to be mindful of when to use it.
While the design of each stage is random, each section focuses on clearing an area of foes. Rooms will have enemies appear in phases, around two or three. What’s nice is that there are always hazards, traps, and other obstacles that play into the combat. These can hinder you, but they can also help you. You can sometimes trigger traps, and with a quick dodge, they will target a foe instead.
Challenging for me, but not for everyone
Based on what I’ve read from other players, the challenge here might vary. I’ve seen people claim that they were able to breeze through the game in around 2-3 hours. I’ve put in over 10 hours, and I still have not managed to complete the game. The game does encourage replaying to get the most out of the story.
But if you don’t have that connection, then I can see people glossing over it. There is a lot of mystery here. We come across a lot of strange and eccentric characters. There are a lot of references to Aleksandra’s deceased sister. If you’re not invested in the story, these won’t concern you.
You improve your skills after each combat area. Every time a battle in a room concludes, you will get a reward. When these are chests, they contain random items that you add to your inventory board. Not only do these improve Aleksandra’s skills, but they are also color-coded. When you align three of the same color, this unlocks a bonus to that skill category. There is a lot of randomization with these, so you may have to clear a few rooms to get the bonus you need.
Would like to see the end
Sure, I’m having fun with Lost in Random: The Eternal Die. At the same time, I wish the game offered a shortcut. I’m so close to the end, but having to go through a run from the very start is time-consuming. I don’t have the twitch skills to speedrun my way through each stage, so it’s taking me longer than most. Being so close to the end, I do see myself getting there.
