Gimmiko is Vampire Survivors with dice and middle fingers

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Among all publishers I met during PAX East 2025, Critical Reflex stood out as my personal favorite. It had already caught my attention after playing Freaked Fleapit the previous year, but the games I played this time were truly unforgettable. One game in particular, Gimmiko, has been stuck in my mind ever since the event ended and I boarded the train home. The game’s innovative take on the “bullet heaven” style popularized by Vampire Survivors, a game I can’t seem to stay away from for long, offers an addictive blend of chaotic energy, vibrant colors, quirky aesthetics, and intricate mechanics that flood my brain with dopamine.

In Gimmiko’s storyline, the concept is rather unconventional and seems a bit confusing at times. Essentially, cats have conjured up some entity known as the Jabberwock with the aid of the moon. This malevolent being is causing chaos by summoning Yokais to disrupt everyone’s peace. Your mission is to use magical dice and mythical creatures resembling folklore, to combat the Yokais, overcome a series of peculiar bosses, and ultimately return the giant demonic cat to its supernatural litter box. While I believe this summary captures the essence of the narrative, it’s not entirely critical for understanding the gameplay mechanics.

As a gamer, in this game I don’t rely on powers gained from leveling up, similar to Vampire Survivors. Instead, I accumulate cash by surviving through each stage, which I then invest in either dice or Gimmicks. Dice come with various traits, such as the number of sides and physical attributes. Some of these dice might be tethered to me, tugging me along when thrown. Another could be timid and flee upon being tossed, proving more useful than annoying at times. Gimmicks are special effects that I can attach to my dice, activating whenever I roll them. For instance, if I place a goldfish on the four-sided die, it will expel harmful bubbles when I roll a four.

In this game, the dice inflict harm when they come into contact with opponents. However, instead of focusing on just using them, the primary objective is to equip them with various tricks or gimmicks and roll them as frequently and quickly as possible. This often involves rushing headlong into groups of enemies in a reckless manner, which goes against the usual strategy for such games. Another important aspect is that you can leap or dive onto enemies without causing damage (usually), making it easier to grab your gear without getting hit by cheap shots.

Additionally, there’s a playful button that appears to be non-functional, yet it’s amusing to pause the chaos of a busy level to give a digital finger wag to some fiendish creatures. Absolutely!

In the bustling world of Gimmiko, it seems irrelevant what symbols you assign to your dice at first, but that indifference fades as you become accustomed to its rapid tempo. You’ll soon understand how crucial the placement and selection of these symbols can be. Sometimes, a symbol will trigger other areas on the die, and other times it will anchor a die in position for as long as it’s active. These elements can significantly shift the course of combat and require adjustments to your strategy, particularly when you manage to hold out long enough to purchase additional dice.

Additionally, don’t forget to monitor both your health status and supplies, as during transitions between levels, various advancement opportunities will become available. Occasionally, a hot spring might pop up, offering the chance to swap currency for healing. On different occasions, you may encounter a mysterious phone, indicating that a group of charming crows are ready to bestow upon you a gift filled with free Gimmicks. At other times, a tough dungeon could materialize, providing a risky chance to take on additional rooms and boss battles. If successful in reaching the end, or knowing when to withdraw, you’ll be rewarded handsomely.

I didn’t get to play Gimmiko for long at PAX, but as soon as I returned home, I downloaded its demo on Steam. This allows you to experience the game in depth. If you’re intrigued, you can also explore the original game jam version on itch. It’s remarkable how well it holds up in its primitive state. Given that the genre is already bustling due to Vampire Survivors’ popularity, it’s refreshing to see a title with such a distinctive flavor and engaging mechanics emerge with such self-assurance.

I’m unsure of the exact release date for Gimmiko, but rest assured, I’ll be there on its launch day to grab a copy or two.

The game titled “Gimmiko” will eventually make its way to your PC, though the specific release date remains undisclosed. This preview is derived from a hands-on demonstration of the game that was provided by the publisher at PAX East 2025, as well as additional time spent with a demo version now accessible on Steam.

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2025-05-19 16:27