A faint glow emanates from the back of a medieval tavern, where a crowd has gathered around a curious contraption. Crafted perhaps by a madman or a wizard, the mysterious machine whirs and clicks with every pull of its lever. The onlookers lean in, eyes wide, and then erupt in cheers — a critical hit has been rolled!

Figure 1. Slay the Spire-Inspired Strategy Spins into Slots & Daggers.

This is the thrill of Slots & Daggers, a new fantasy slot-machine roguelike from solo developer Friedemann Allmenröder, previously known for the cozy builder Summerhouse. On his website, Allmenröder explains that he wanted players to feel like they’re “in the dark corner of a fantasy pub, playing a weird physical slot machine made from metal, glass, and electricity.” And indeed, the game delivers that exact sensation. Figure 1 shows Slay the Spire-Inspired Strategy Spins into Slots & Daggers.

Imagine if Slay the Spire and CloverPit had a fantastical offspring: Slots & Daggers blends the strategic, combat-driven feel of a deck-builder with the chaotic excitement of a slot machine. Players start with three symbols of their choice — weapons, shields, or coins — and journey through the machine’s levels, battling monsters with each spin. Along the way, they’ll encounter tales of exiled kings and a queen of skulls, facing one of the most memorable and bizarre casts of characters in recent gaming memory.

The very first level pits you against a sentient egg, and things only get stranger from there. Beyond their sheer oddness, these enemies are a big part of why Slots & Daggers feels so reminiscent of Slay the Spire. Much like in the deckbuilder, I quickly started recognizing the patterns of these bizarre little foes: “Ah, this is the creepy squid that doubles its attack each turn; that’s the scraggly sewer possum that steals my coins.”

Despite the inherent randomness of the slot machine, the game offers plenty of satisfying synergies and strategic depth. Some attacks remain partially under the player’s control, as certain symbols trigger skill checks when rolled. These mini-interactions are simple—reminiscent of WarioWare, like timing a gauge to hit its peak—but they add a layer of engagement that keeps the gameplay from feeling like nothing more than pulling a lever.

Between battles, players visit the upgrade shop, where slot symbols and power-ups can be purchased. Some power-ups are passive buffs—like health-boosting gouda—while others, such as magic wands, can be used mid-battle for extra effects. Players can also enhance existing symbols and power-ups or adjust the lineup of symbols they’re using.

As with most roguelikes, there are a few overpowered builds that can reliably carry you to victory, but experimenting is far more rewarding. Strength, magic, and poison-focused strategies are all viable, and the game offers a wide variety of unlockable attacks, from ninja stars to a killing curse. Meta progression adds another layer of depth: permanent modifiers, bought with chips (separate from coins) during a run, range from small boosts like increased damage resistance to game-changing upgrades like additional symbol slots on the machine.

The art direction, music, and overall atmosphere of Slots & Daggers are equally impressive. Allmenröder, who composed the soundtrack himself in Logic Pro, describes it as “a mix of old-school hip-hop, arcade synths, and weird, slightly out-of-tune drawbar organs”—an eclectic soundscape that perfectly matches the anachronistic fantasy slot machine concept. The attention to detail goes beyond the music: the clinks of coins, the cheers of the crowd, the sounds of attacks—all contribute to a finely curated, immersive experience.

Visually, the monsters look like they’ve stepped out of a comic book—monochrome in design but transformed by the lighting and effects of their environments. In the Cathedral of Smoke level, for example, I battled a flame demon bathed in the orange glow of the fire behind it, with pixelated smoke drifting through the air. The slot machine itself is just as captivating, its retrofuturistic flashing lights keeping my lizard brain thoroughly entertained.

I completed the main campaign in roughly five hours, which unlocked the arena: an endless mode where increasingly difficult egg monsters challenge you. I keep returning to face creatures like Leggo, an egg with legs, and the magical Eggomancer. It’s the perfect kind of game to pick up for short sessions, evoking the feeling of curling up in a dim corner of a medieval tavern with a mug of mead while taking on fantastical foes.

Source: Polygon

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025), Slots & Daggers Brings Slay the Spire Mechanics to a Slot Machine, AnaTechMaz, pp.346