Video games, as a rule, reward skill and strategy. However, many of them are heavily reliant on luck, adding a layer of unpredictability and excitement. From puzzle games to RPGs, many genres include luck-based mechanics in their core design. From the olden ages of Tetris in which your next block would be randomly drawn, to Oregon Trail which would add unexpected events to your caravan. Diablo was always, although counting on the players’ skill, inherently based in RNG when it comes to its most important aspect: loot. And it’s these elements that keep players coming back for more again and again.
The hit card-based roguelike Balatro takes luck-based gameplay to a whole new level. Using card draws as the main mechanic, it marries randomness with strategic planning. Every run is defined by the deck you build, but the cards drawn and the Jokers acquired make the game unpredictable and terrifyingly exciting. This reliance on chance is very similar to traditional casino games like baccarat, which is purely luck-based. In Balatro, like in baccarat, the right hand can lead you to victory or utter defeat. Players looking to test their luck in casinos best for baccarat can check out the list curated by Gavin Beech. Both these games can drive players to think hard and make the most of the hand they are dealt.
Infamous for its brutal difficulty, Darkest Dungeon actually derives most of it from pure luck. Attack can miss even if the chance to hit is very high, similar to legendary luck-based strategies like XCOM. Randomly triggered hard to relieve stress effects can make the characters panic, often at the worst possible moment, and make a dungeon crawl fail spectacularly. Preparation is important, but it’s the unexpected events that dictate every run in this game.
Similarly, The Binding of Isaac shapes the player’s experience through the items dropped throughout each run. Sometimes, you’ll get a fantastic synergy; other times, you will struggle with mediocre upgrades. Layouts of the room, enemies, deals- all of them are dictated by the RNG. This ultimately makes every playthrough completely unique, if sometimes frustrating.
Gacha games, like the five years old but still relevant mega-hit Genshin Impact, are almost purely based on luck. Players need to spend the in-game currency, either earned through grinding or bought with real money, and pull random draws of characters and weapons. This makes the moment when you acquire a rare character very exciting, but can also be frustrating as your progression is somewhat locked behind chance. While one player might get lucky and unlock the desired character almost instantly, another might grind for weeks for the same result.
Mario Party embraces randomness in a way almost no other game does. Of course, there are minigames in there that require skill, but the final outcome is almost always determined through chance, dice rolls, and completely unpredictable bonuses. Players leading throughout the match might lose it in an instant because of one bad roll or star redistribution. While this might seem frustrating, it’s what makes this a perfect casual party game made for light fun with friends.