What if every word you guessed could change the outcome of a battle? Randel’s Quest, the upcoming indie title from LCB Game Studio, is answering that question by fusing Wordle-inspired wordplay with roguelike combat—and the results are surprisingly strategic.
The studio has officially released a playable demo on Steam, giving players their first hands-on look at a game where letters, colors, and timing are just as important as damage numbers.
Where Wordle Meets Roguelike Combat
At its core, Randel’s Quest transforms familiar word-guessing mechanics into a combat system powered by chance and strategy. Each turn begins with a spin of a three-reel slot machine, with one reel dedicated to each Wordle-style color: Green, Yellow, and Grey.
Instead of acting as simple feedback, these colors actively shape the battle. Every guess triggers effects tied to the reels, meaning each word played has immediate consequences—sometimes making an “incorrect” guess the most tactical choice.
How the Slot-Based Word System Works
Combat in Randel’s Quest follows a unique rhythm that blends wordplay and roguelike decision-making:
- Players spin a three-reel machine at the start of every turn
- Each reel corresponds to a color result: Green, Yellow, or Grey
- Playing a word activates reel effects based on the resulting hints
Green letters trigger one effect, Yellow another, and Grey a third—turning feedback into power, defense, or disruption. Success depends on reading the board, understanding probabilities, and knowing when to sacrifice accuracy for advantage.
Progression Through Risk and Reinvention
Between runs, players can upgrade and customize their slot machine, unlocking new effects and reshaping how future battles unfold. This roguelike progression ensures no two runs play the same.
Enemies don’t sit idle either. As players advance, foes introduce new threats and counters into the shared pool of effects, steadily increasing difficulty and forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly.
Merchants, Hackers, and a Hint-Based Economy
Adding even more depth is a creative in-game economy built entirely around word hints.
Players will encounter Slotto, a slot machine hacker who can reroll, clone, remove, or upgrade reel effects, and Jack, a mysterious merchant offering essential items and strange curiosities. Instead of spending gold, players trade using a Wordle-based currency, where color hints themselves become valuable resources.
Key Features of Randel’s Quest
- Wordle-inspired combat that turns color hints into tactical effects
- Slot machine mechanics that redefine roguelike decision-making
- Deep run-based progression through machine upgrades
- Enemy escalation that actively disrupts player strategies
- A unique economy powered by hints instead of money
Demo Available Now on Steam
Players can jump into Randel’s Quest today with the free demo now live on Steam. The demo showcases the game’s inventive mechanics and offers a taste of how wordplay and roguelike systems collide.
