Luck be a Landlord is a roguelike deckbuilder about using a slot machine to earn rent money and defeat capitalism. This game does not contain any real-world currency gambling or microtransactions.
The game blends a slot machine with deckbuilding roguelike mechanics. Players start with a simple set of symbols they can add to a virtual slot machine. Each spin generates coins based on the symbols that appear, and players then choose a new symbol to add to their "deck."
The depth comes from the complex interactions between symbols. For example, placing a milk bottle adjacent to a cat significantly increases the bottle's payout. Players must carefully consider how new symbols will synergize with their existing setup, leading to satisfying "aha" moments as they discover new combos.
As players progress, the rent they must pay after each set of spins increases, forcing them to develop more effective strategies to generate enough income. The game offers different "floors" that add modifiers, such as more frequent rent payments, providing a sense of progression and increasing challenge.
Due to the game's procedural nature, no two runs are alike. The available symbols are randomized each time, leading to wildly different potential synergies and strategies. This, combined with the deep symbol interactions, results in high replayability as players experiment with new approaches.
The developers are praised for their commitment, with frequent updates adding new content and balance changes. This, along with a dedicated modding community, ensures the game continues to evolve and provide fresh experiences.