DOG WITCH

DOG WITCH is a charming and unique roguelike dice-building game that allows players to embody a dog witch, blending quirky aesthetics with engaging gameplay. The art style is widely praised for its creativity and cuteness, complemented by a relaxing and fitting lo-fi soundtrack. Runs are relatively short, around 10-30 minutes, making it accessible and easy to pick up. The gameplay centers around dice rolls and item synergies, offering a fresh take on deckbuilding with a focus on risk management rather than pure number scaling.

However, the game is often criticized for its heavy reliance on RNG, which many players find punishing and sometimes frustrating. The limited ability to manipulate dice outcomes or mitigate bad luck leads to runs being ended abruptly due to unfavorable rolls. While some appreciate the challenge and randomness, others feel the lack of player control detracts from strategic depth. Additionally, the game currently lacks variety in enemy types, branching paths, and meta progression, which some players desire for longer-term engagement.

Overall, DOG WITCH delivers a delightful and addictive experience with room for improvement in balancing RNG and expanding content.

Highlights

Players frequently praise DOG WITCH's unique and adorable art style and relaxing lo-fi music, which create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The dice-based roguelike mechanics offer a fresh, accessible approach to deckbuilding with meaningful item synergies and customization options, including dog customization and hats that alter gameplay. The game features quick runs that respect players' time, making it easy to jump in and out. Many enjoy the with builds and appreciate the game's simplicity combined with strategic depth. Steam Deck integration is also noted as smooth and well-implemented.

Criticisms

The most common criticism revolves around the overwhelming RNG that can abruptly end runs, causing frustration due to the inability to sufficiently manipulate dice outcomes or recover from bad luck. Some players feel that strategic decision-making is overshadowed by chance, reducing the sense of skillful play. The lack of variety in enemies, bosses, and branching paths leads to repetitive runs and limited replayability. Several reviews mention bugs and quality of life issues, such as softlocks after wins/losses and missing features like a replay button. The absence of meta progression and limited content depth also leaves some players wanting more.