Peglin is like if Peggle and Slay the Spire had an unpredictable child. The pachinko-inspired mechanics reminded me of Peggle’s bouncy, chaotic fun, while the roguelike progression echoed the strategic depth of Slay the Spire. Add a bit of Hades-style satisfaction from finding perfect combos, and you get a game that’s hard to put down. Peglin takes elements from these popular titles and spins them into something fresh, creating an addictive loop of luck, strategy, and randomness.
I have played the game on Nintendo Switch.
The gameplay is straightforward, you aim and shoot your orbs into a pachinko-style board, and the more pegs the orbs hit, the more damage they do to enemies. Some orbs have special abilities, like causing critical hits or bouncing around like crazy. This randomness can be frustrating at times, but it also adds excitement when a shot goes just right. You don’t always have full control, but the game keeps things exciting with how orbs and pegs interact.
What really surprised me was how fun it felt even when luck played a big part. Yes, you have some control, but a lot depends on how the orbs bounce. Relics, which you collect during your run, add another layer. They change how the orbs behave and can sometimes create powerful combinations that make you feel unstoppable. Figuring out these combos is one of the best parts of the game, and when everything clicks during a run, it feels incredibly rewarding, similar to the feeling you get in Hades.
One of the things I liked most was the variety of orbs and relics. Each run lets you experiment with new strategies and try out different builds. The game may seem simple at first, but there’s more depth as you go along. You can upgrade or replace orbs, making the decision-making more interesting, especially when fighting bosses.
On the downside, the game’s roguelike nature, where you start from scratch each time, can get tiring. Beginning every run with basic orbs makes the early parts feel a bit repetitive. In other roguelikes like Slay the Spire, the early levels become easier as you get better. But in Peglin, you often feel like luck controls your progress more than your skills. Some runs end up feeling frustrating, especially when nothing goes your way.
Another issue is that the pace can slow down during the later stages. Enemies come at you in a line, and unless you have bombs or area attacks, you’re stuck hitting them one by one. This slows the game down, making it less exciting. Also, after a few runs, the enemies and level designs start to feel a little too familiar.
Peglin is a fun mix of chaos and strategy, and it stands out from other roguelikes. While it might not reach the same level as games like Hades or Slay the Spire, it’s still an enjoyable experience, especially if you like games with random elements. The minesweeper-like levels are charming, and despite some frustrating moments, there’s a lot of fun in the game’s mix of pachinko physics and RPG mechanics.
However, the game could use more variety in its enemies and levels. Right now, Peglin is a great way to pass the time, but with a few updates, it could become something even better.
