Luck Be a Landlord

Release Date: January 6, 2023

Puzzle, gambling, roguelike, 2D, card games, indie games, simulation elements, singleplayer

7.2

OpenCritic

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A card game with roguelike elements under the guise of a slot machine "simulator". Luck be a Landlord tasks the player with playing a slot machine to earn money for their constantly increasing rent.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Luck be a Landlord is a card game with roguelike elements, under the guise of a slot machine "simulator". It was developed by the independent studio TrampolineTales.

Plot

Luck be a Landlord puts the player in a role of a tenant, menaced by incoming rent. In order to make money, the protagonist starts using a slot machine hoping to earn enough before the due date; otherwise, they face eviction.

Mechanics

Luck be a Landlord's gameplay takes place on a board consisting of five rotating reels with various symbols. After dropping a coin into the machine, the player can spin the reels. Once they stop, the payout is calculated.

Its value depends on the types of symbols on the board after the reels stop, as well as their placement. In additional to symbols guarateeing a specific sum, there are also special symbols interacting with others and granting different bonuses. Progressing through the game unlocks access to new symbols which are added to the slot machine, as well as to passive items with various effects.

Though our winnings gradually increase with time, so does our rent which we have to pay regularly.

Technical aspects

Luck be a Landlord's visuals have been made with use of pixel art, being simple, though colorful and easily readable.

Videos and Screens

[0:37] Luck Be a Landlord - Console Release Date Trailer

[1:40] Luck Be a Landlord trailer #1

7.2

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 51% of Critics. There are 9 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Expansive: 3 / 5 by Brad Baker

Luck be a Landlord is an enjoyable roguelite to play in waves and blasts but it’s not necessarily the best use of a PS5. More a natural fit for handheld devices, LBAL has a core loop you’ll find yourself keeping coming back to, even when the odds keep stacking against you and the RNG is never in your favor. With ways to customise the experience and a variety of symbols at your disposal, the game has bountiful possibilities, but you’ll feel like it’s stretched to its limits after a while and it no longer enchants so much as it feeds a short term fix.

Full Review

Pure Nintendo: 8.5 / 10 by Jemma Casson

Luck be a Landlord makes slot machines, well, fun. It takes a pinch of strategy crossed with a bit of luck as you work your way through run after run to defeat your greedy landlord. There's a huge number of cute icons to discover, excellent music, and a simple retro aesthetic, It all adds to an addictive game without the gambling side effects.

Full Review

Nindie Spotlight: 7.5 / 10 by Justin Nation

An absolutely unique idea, pairing roguelike elements with some strategy and slot machine play, at least somewhat pays off

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