Slots & Daggers, a fantasy-themed slot machine roguelike, was released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in May 2026. The game was developed by solo developer Friedemann.
Slots & Daggers blends roguelike progression with slot machine mechanics. At the start of each run, players select three pieces of equipment, such as a rusty dagger, a poison blade, or a shield. These items determine the symbols that appear on the game’s slot machine wheels during combat.
Each turn features three spinning slot machine wheels, a number that can increase to five through in-game upgrades. The symbols on the wheels correspond directly to the player’s collected equipment, and each symbol triggers a unique effect when it lands. Landing three identical symbols in a row produces a critical hit, accompanied by visual and audio effects.
Players can acquire items that grant the ability to respin individual wheels, adding a layer of strategic choice to the otherwise chance-based system. The game’s interface presents a seedy tabletop environment with a drink, playing cards, dice, a knife, and a cigarette resting on an ashtray. At the center sits an electronic machine that serves as the primary point of interaction.
After each run, players earn poker chips that can be spent on modifiers. These modifiers are represented as physical objects plugged into the in-game machine and offer enhancements such as additional wheels, improved attack and defense stats, and a revive option. The game includes meta-progression systems that allow players to advance further with successive attempts.
Friedemann describes Slots & Daggers as a “mini roguelike,” emphasizing its compact scope and focused design. The gameplay relies heavily on luck and randomness due to its foundational slot machine mechanics, though strategic decisions around equipment selection, modifier choices, and respin usage influence outcomes.