Lost In Random – Dark Fairy-Tale Adventure & Dice Combat

Lost In Random – Dark Fairy-Tale Adventure & Dice Combat

Lost in Random is a quirky and imaginative action-adventure game that blends real-time combat with deck-building mechanics. It is set in a beautifully bizarre, Burtonesque world ruled by chance and chaos. Lost In Random tells the tale of two sisters separated by fate, with the younger sister Even going on a journey to rescue her big sister, Odd, from the clutches of a tyrannical queen. Along the way, she meets Dicey, a cute sentient die who introduces both charm and randomness into gameplay.

Gameplay

Lost In Random is a single player, action-adventure game, that you play from the third person perspective. The majority of the combats are usually done in an arena style, with some fights done like a board game. In both cases, you have to roll Dicey to see what Even’s next move is, and you can use her slingshot as a weapon (not just to break pots).

Enemies hit by Even’s slingshot will drop little blue energy cubes. When Dicey’s energy bar is full, Even can roll him, to see how many cards she can pick and while she’s in the Dicemension. As you play Lost In Random, you find coins in pots that you break with Even’s slingshot), and you use them to buy cards.

Combat in Lost in Random is a unique hybrid system that blends real-time action with card-based strategy:

• Collect Energy Crystals: Attack enemies to gain energy that powers Dicey.
• Roll Dicey: Once charged, you can roll Dicey to generate Action Points (1–6).
• Play Cards: Use Action Points to activate combat cards—spells, weapons, traps, buffs, etc.

You build a customizable deck of 15 cards, selecting from categories like:

• Weapon (e.g., swords, slingshots)
•  Defense (shields, healing)
•  Hazard (spikes, bombs)
• Cheat (reroll boosts, time stops)

Combat can occasionally feel clunky or slow, especially in later stages when enemy variety is lacking. The dice mechanics and real-time mix are inventive and rewarding when mastered.

The core mechanic of mixing real-time combat with deck-building and dice rolls is imaginative and refreshing. During combat, you’ll collect energy to roll Dicey and enter a paused tactical mode where you play cards that summon weapons, traps, or buffs. This mechanic adds depth and strategy, but combat can occasionally feel repetitive in longer battles.

Exploration is linear but peppered with interesting side quests, quirky NPCs, and hidden secrets, making the world feel alive and worth wandering through.

Story

The story is Lost in Random’s standout feature, set in a whimsical yet dark world where fate is decided by a dice roll at age twelve. Players follow Even and her living die companion, Dicey, as they journey through six surreal realms to rescue her sister, Odd. Inspired by Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman, the poetic writing, quirky characters, and fourth wall-breaking narrator give the tale a rich fairy-tale charm, exploring themes of fate, control, and identity.

Even and Dicey make a charming duo, with a bond that adds emotional depth to the journey. The writing is sharp and sometimes poetic, supported by strong voice acting. Though some plot points are familiar, the strong execution ensures the story remains engaging from start to finish.

Art/Visual Design

One of the game’s most defining qualities is its visual identity. The art style is a surreal mix of stop-motion-like animation and gothic fantasy. Characters resemble crooked puppets or living dolls, each realm more bizarre than the last.

The six towns (Onecroft to Sixtopia) are distinct and dripping with personality:

• Onecroft: Even and Odd’s hometown. The lowest, most decrepit of the towns where the “Oners” live. They make their living by hauling the junk that is discarded there to the freighters, for the Queen.
• Two-Town: A town where everyone has a two personalities. Each day the Queen rolls her die to determine how Two Town will change. When this happens, their personalities change – sometimes quite drastically.
• Threedom: A town that is in disarray due to the three siblings that are at war with one another, each blaming the others for the murder of their father.
• Fourburg: Formerly known as Fourtown, it used to be a place of heroes and honor. That is, until the No Dice War occurred – now it’s a town of corruption, gambling, and disorder.
• Fivetropolis: At one time, the home to the fabled card makers. The were the creators of the most powerful cards in all of the realms. After the No Dice War, cards stopped being made and Fivetropolis was no longer a magical place.
• Sixtopia: The Queen’s Realm. It is the most perfect of all of the realms. Under the Queen’s rule, it is a palatial, wonderful place to live – if you are one of the lucky chosen.

Visually, Lost in Random is a Tim Burton inspired dream (or nightmare). The stop-motion aesthetic, twisted character designs, and moody lighting create a storybook world that feels handcrafted. Every kingdom within Lost In Random has a unique visual theme, from grimy streets to twisted mechanical landscapes.

Sound/Music

The soundtrack by Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra (known for Portal Knights, Chrono Trigger Symphony, Banjo-Kazooie Symphony) augments the fantasy vibe with a mix of spooky strings, whimsical melodies, and haunting chimes. The voice acting is top-tier, especially the witty Narrator and Dicey (who speaks in adorable gibberish).

Performance

While visually refined, Lost in Random isn’t without technical hiccups. Occasional frame rate drops, loading screens that feel a bit long, and minor bugs are present— especially when you’re trying to find one of your cards in Threedom (you won’t get the achievement, because the last card doesn’t load in here). Load times are reasonable. The UI could be more intuitive, especially when you’re trying to manage your card deck.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Unique dice-based combat system
• Beautiful, gothic, style, dark, Tim Burton-esque art style
• Engaging story with cute characters and witty narration
• Clever writing and world-building

Cons:

• Combat can feel repetitive from time to time
• The missing card in Threedom is quite frustrating if you’re an achievement hunter
• Minor technical issues and pacing problems

Final Thoughts ★★★★☆

Lost in Random is a delightfully strange and creatively bold adventure that shines with originality and heart. Blending dark fairy-tale vibes with strategic combat and a rich narrative, it’s a great fit for players who love imaginative storytelling. Wandering around each town, and completing the side quests can be fun, especially when you find the ‘secrets’ that are hidden in the areas. Despite some uneven pacing and a few rough edges, it’s a uniquely crafted experience worth exploring.

by Lokhi D | 2 August 2025