Lootbound Review: Let the Loot Goblins Rise!

2026 is shaping up to be quite the year for indie games. With AAA gaming on the decline (and the money inadvertently funding data centers), gaming has seen the rise of an indie movement, which has only gained strength in recent times. There’s a strong host of indie games to choose and play (or add to the backlog – whatever floats anyone’s boat). Since I’m a big fan of roguelites (I’ve tried out Slay the Spire and Slay the Spire 2 and everything in between and talked down to anyone calling the genre “boring” and “repetitive”), Lootbound is a game that caught my eye. But how good is it really? Let’s find out!

Slay the Spire: Diablo edition – oops, I mean Lootbound – is an action-based roguelite game released on 14 Aug, 2026. The game is developed by ArtDock and published by Dreland Enterprises.

Into the Endless Dungeon

Lootbound is a game that is bound by loot. Such a “brilliant” statement to make about another game that leeches off Slay the Spire’s glory, isn’t it? Well, this one has its own quirks. Lootbound gives you a few characters to start off, each of which has their own unique quirks to help them survive. Players start off with The Warrior and unlock the other characters by repeatedly playing the game and pulling off several objectives. Each character chooses to play differently than the last, so each of the four characters caters to a particular playstyle.

The Warrior is more of a dumb brute, who can smash through enemies in his path with brute strength. Players who already got spoiled by the six-character roster of Slay the Spire 2 will definitely not like this, as it offers (two) fewer options in terms of character choice. I personally didn’t mind though, as the learning curve means one needs to spend a significant amount of time with one character before they can start understanding what the game is actually about – collecting more and more loot.

Did I say there was loot in the game? Of course I did! This is where the game stands out from other roguelites in the genre. The loot enhances a character and gives them a special edge in combat or non-combat areas, allowing them to push further into a run before they perish. And there’s definitely a huge variety to this. The loot mechanic is enhanced by the fact that there is a bag system that decides how much loot the players are allowed to carry and fit in. Weaker gear can be ditched for stronger ones later in the run, when the backpack does not have enough space. I’ve been a longtime Diablo fan; of course, this mechanic makes me hoard stuff for no reason at all!

Lootbound offers encounters similar to other roguelite games. There are enemies and stronger enemies, and some random encounters that result in random events. Random events in this game are decided by the throw of the dice. Yes, the developers sure were D&D fans back in the day – deciding everything on the roll of a die is something only a gambler or a D&D addict can do. Sometimes, this does tempt greedy choices – only to fail and have to try again to get the best items. I’m not very sure how good I feel about gambling mechanics in a loot encounter where I’m supposed to get some loot, though—it seems very disenfranchising when I don’t get an item based on RNG.

Bringing the Dungeon to Life

Lootbound is an artistic masterpiece, but I would understand if it doesn’t really go down well with many people. The low-poly art style is something I personally like, but there are some guzzlers who’d want “realistic graphics” from a studio this small, even when their main focus should be on the mechanics instead. Yeah, it’s a hit or a miss – nothing else to be said about it.

If the gameplay brought me in, the musical composition is what made me stay. The game has some of the best compositions, especially the one that plays during an enemy encounter. The eerie yet motivating tune that makes one rethink their plays before landing a last blow on an enemy feels great.

Real Talk

Lootbound is a curious little roguelite that will appeal to heavy D&D and Diablo fans. Existing roguelite fans (they exist, apparently) can check it out, as it’s quite a decent addition to the genre. I’m not sure I can recommend the game for others – it’s a bit niche and not really worth dipping one’s toes in.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100