Lost in Random
Developed by Zoink
Published by Electronic Arts
Initially Released September 10, 2021
Available for Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Genre: Action/Adventure
Personal Playtime: 15 hous 47 minutes
Environments / Graphics – 8.5
Lost in Random features a very distinct art style. The claymation look can’t help but bring Tim Burton to my mind, and those vibes are present in a big way. There is a darkness at the core of this experience, but a layer of cuteness lays over the whole thing to create a bizarre and fun dichotomy that I find really enjoyable. It reminds me of a zombie roaming the streets, but it has a sheet with holes for eyes over it like a kids ghost costume. The level design is genuinely fun. Each new area you reach has its own style and presentation with its own characters to meet. There is a storybook quality to the storytelling in this game, and the art style really lends itself to that end.
Music / Sound – 8
The music in Lost in Random is fun and fits the overall aesthetic really well. There is a dark and brooding quality that matches the rest of the design, and it adds a good deal to the experience without ever really taking center stage. I have a soft spot for the melancholic fairytale vibes that this soundtrack puts down, so if you enjoyed the soundscapes created by works like the Corpse Bride or Nightmare Before Christmas, then you should enjoy this as well. Blake Robinson, the composer of Lost in Random, has stated that these were big influences on him – and it truly shows through in the sound design. The noises and sounds that you will hear throughout the game only add to the strong atmosphere the world of Random generates.
Narrative / Performance – 8
The narrative of this game is solid. It isn’t overly intricate, but it doesn’t need to be in a 15-hour experience. Instead, it allows the characters to really become the driving force for the storytelling. That is a good call because the characters in this game are easily one of its biggest strengths. All the people and creatures you meet have distinctive personalities and designs, and as such, each one is fun to engage with and learn about. The voice acting is quite good, as well. There is a narrator who chimes in occasionally as you progress, and he does a spectacular job at setting the tone. Even the character actors and the voices they employ add to the storybook quality of this experience. I am reminded of someone reading a fairytale to children. Clearly, everyone really bought in to the overarching themes this game is built on. The overall story does just enough to provide direction and meaning behind your journey, but the characters along the way provide all the individual stories that really make the narrative special.
Gameplay / Mechanics – 7.5
Unfortunately, the gameplay is probably the weakest part of this game. That isn’t to say that the gameplay is bad. Please don’t take that away from this statement. However, the rest of this experience is so strong and cohesive, that it feels like the actual gameplay exists to give shape to the artistic expression that everything else is built upon. Playing this game is quite fun. The exploration and light puzzles in the world are decent and offer a change of pace. The combat is interesting and fast paced. It is very clever how they incorporated the dice into the combat system, giving you abilities tied to cards that you can use by rolling your friend, Dicey. The real-time combat combined with the ability charges makes each encounter engaging. The bigger set-pieces for each world are also smartly constructed and add a new dimension to keep all the combat from blending together too much.
Lost in Random
- Graphics – 8.5
- Sound – 8
- Narrative – 8
- Gameplay – 7.5
Overall: 8
I have to say that I really enjoyed this experience. The design of this game is certainly striking and comprehensive. Everything in Lost in Random is built around its aesthetic, and it is an art style and direction that resonates very strongly with me. It is also something that is so strong throughout that it makes for an easy call when deciding if you will enjoy this game. The inspiration of Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, or Coraline is incredibly strong in this game. So, if you love the style and storytelling that those movies provide, then this game is going to be your jam. If you do not enjoy that vibe, then this game will ultimately fall flat for you. I have grown up with a love for those types of experiences, so being able to exist in a world of that ilk is pretty special. That is one of the things that really concisely expresses why I love games.
Game Overview
Play the odds in Lost in Random™, a gothic fairytale-inspired action adventure where every citizen’s fate is determined by the roll of a dice.
Ruled by a wicked Queen, the kingdom of Random is divided into six shadowy realms where life is dictated by a cursed black dice. In this story, from the award-winning Swedish game studio Zoink and penned by Eisner Award-winning Adventure Time and Marvel Comics The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl author Ryan North, you’ll join Even, a penniless girl who’s down on her luck, in a dark quest to save her beloved sister. With her companion Dicey, a small and strange living dice, Even must learn to embrace the chaos of Random, uncovering an age-old tale with a modern message.
Walk Random’s mysterious cobbled streets, meet its unpredictable residents, and take on courageous quests. Engage in fearsome battles with a unique blend of tactical combat, card collection, and explosive dice gameplay. It’s time to adapt or perish, as you battle inside giant board game arenas that change with every dice throw! Learn how to tip the odds in your favor, and dive into a dark wonderland where only the brave survive.
Play the odds. Win the game.
