When it was first announced that Lost in Random—EA Originals’ innovative and beloved indie game—was getting a new entry, I almost couldn’t believe it. Not a direct sequel, but a spin-off called Lost in Random: The Eternal Die. Originally launched in 2021, the first game earned a place in the hearts of fans with its striking world design, lovable characters, and most importantly, its creative use of luck as a game mechanic. Now, The Eternal Die takes that foundation and reshapes it into something even more daring.
A New Protagonist, A Familiar World
This time around, the story centers on Queen Aleksandra, also known as the Queen of Random. She’s no background figure—she’s the heart of this tale. Her story is one of revenge and redemption, tightly linked to the original game’s universe. As the game unfolds, new characters join her journey, helping to build a deeper and more layered narrative that will feel both fresh and familiar to longtime fans.
Hades Comparison: Fair or Not?
Before release, many early players compared the game to Hades, the wildly successful roguelike from Supergiant Games. At first glance, The Eternal Die might seem like a weaker copy, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, comparing these two games directly feels unfair to both. While Hades carved its own path in roguelike history, The Eternal Die introduces mechanics and emotional depth that make it stand apart with a unique tone and style.
Meet Fortune: Your Trusty, Chaotic Die
The soul of the gameplay lies in your companion: Fortune, Queen Aleksandra’s living die. Fortune isn’t just for looks—it actively helps you in combat by rolling numbers that trigger different effects based on Runes you’ve equipped during that run. Depending on your strategy and the roll, the outcome can vary wildly. Even more impressively, Fortune can physically attack enemies if you aim and throw it accurately. It’s chaotic, creative, and absolutely fun.
Luck-Based Character Progression
The game embraces randomness even further through its character upgrade system. After each battle, you find or purchase new dice, which are then placed on a grid-based board that resembles a game of tic-tac-toe. Matching dice by color, shape, or placement boosts different aspects of your character—such as damage output, luck in battle, or cooldown speed.
Challenging Runs with Layered Design
Each run consists of several interconnected rooms that must be cleared of enemies before progressing. The Fast Travel system between rooms is more than just functional—it encourages players to revisit areas and uncover secrets they may have missed. The game uses these repeated visits as opportunities for environmental storytelling, sometimes showing references to the original game or introducing new characters in the hub world.
The Hub: Where Your Build Comes Together
Speaking of the hub—it’s a crucial part of your journey. It serves as the central location where you can upgrade Queen Aleksandra, manage your Skill Tree, and unlock new weapons. You’ll be able to choose from four main weapons, each supporting different playstyles. This makes experimenting with new strategies both easy and rewarding.
Narrative, Dialogues, and Boss Battles
Despite its roguelike structure, the game doesn’t forget to tell a story. Dialogue plays a key role in delivering emotional beats and worldbuilding, echoing the approach of narrative-heavy games like Hades and Hades II. The boss fights deserve special mention: they’re challenging, well-designed, and clearly inspired by roguelike giants—but still feel unique and true to the Lost in Random world.
What It Lacks—and Where It Shines
Does it have the endless replayability of Hades? No. But it offers a solid 20 hours of meaningful content, with enough variation to keep most players hooked. With only four main worlds, the game could definitely use more content in the future—whether through free updates or premium DLC—to truly reach its full potential and justify a sequel.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Return to Random
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is not just a cash-in spin-off. It’s a well-crafted, thoughtful expansion of a strange and wonderful universe that dares to do things differently. With creative mechanics, a compelling main character, and surprising depth, this game proves that randomness doesn’t mean chaos—it means possibility.
If you enjoyed the original or you’re looking for a roguelike that tries something new, The Eternal Die is absolutely worth a roll.
