I truly wish I could recommend this game. But for me the thing that makes a rogue lite game bearable through all the failures is that it feels like it's at least my fault and that my personal skill improving will improve the quality of my runs. That does not seem to be the case here. Be it a failure of, or a lack of, game logic, you're repeatedly dealt unwinnable hands and it just doesn't feel good; it doesn't help that you gain nothing from the failure but a sense that you should play another game for a sense of accomplishment.

Tomb of the Bloodletter is a strikingly inventive roguelike developed by Ethan’s Secretions and published by indie.io, built around a simple but bold premise: your keyboard is your weapon. Rather than swinging swords or casting spells through hotkeys, every action in the game is performed by forming words. It blends turn-based dungeon crawling with word construction in a way that feels both cerebral and tense, creating an experience that rewards vocabulary, creativity, and strategic planning in equal measure.

The game places players inside a cursed tomb filled with grotesque enemies and unpredictable magical forces. Each descent into the dungeon is structured as a roguelike run, meaning death resets progress and forces you to start anew. What sets it apart from traditional roguelikes is how deeply the typing mechanic is integrated into its systems. Every letter on your keyboard is tied to a magical property—some inflict damage, others provide healing, and some trigger special effects that can benefit or hinder you depending on how they are used. Combat unfolds through carefully crafted words, where letter placement and combination matter as much as the word itself.

Strategic depth emerges from how these letter-bound magicks interact. Certain letters may amplify effects when placed at the beginning or end of a word, while others may introduce risks that force players to think twice before using them. Crafting a word becomes a tactical puzzle: do you aim for maximum damage, prioritize survival through healing letters, or attempt a risky combination that might trigger powerful but unpredictable effects? Because enemies also possess unique mechanics, each encounter requires adaptation rather than rote repetition.

The roguelike structure ensures that no two runs feel identical. Procedural generation determines the layout of encounters, available upgrades, and the combination of magicks assigned to your letters. Over the course of a run, players can unlock new magical properties that reshape how the keyboard functions. This evolving system transforms familiar words into new tactical tools, keeping the experience fresh even after multiple attempts. Character classes further diversify gameplay, with each offering distinct strengths and limitations that encourage different approaches to word-building and risk management.

Visually, Tomb of the Bloodletter embraces a stylized, illustrated aesthetic that complements its unconventional mechanics. Enemies are depicted with expressive, sometimes grotesque designs that give personality to each confrontation. The interface is clean and functional, ensuring that players can easily track letter effects, health status, and available actions without feeling overwhelmed. Although the game does not rely on flashy animations or high-end graphics, its presentation reinforces the sense of descending into a mysterious, arcane world where language itself holds power.

Difficulty is a defining aspect of the experience. Because runs are unforgiving and healing opportunities can be scarce, mistakes carry weight. Randomized magick assignments can also introduce unexpected challenges, sometimes forcing players to work with less-than-ideal letter combinations. While this randomness may occasionally feel punishing, it also heightens tension and replayability. Success depends not only on vocabulary but on adaptability and foresight.

One of the most compelling aspects of Tomb of the Bloodletter is how it transforms a familiar skill—typing—into a strategic battlefield. It is not a game about typing speed alone; instead, it emphasizes thoughtful construction and tactical awareness. Each word becomes a calculated move, and each turn is a negotiation between risk and reward. This fusion of linguistic creativity and roguelike structure makes it stand out within both genres.

Ultimately, Tomb of the Bloodletter is a bold and original take on dungeon crawling. It challenges players to think differently about combat, turning letters and language into weapons and shields. While its difficulty and reliance on typing may limit its appeal to some audiences, those who appreciate innovative design and strategic wordplay will find a deeply engaging and refreshingly unique experience within its haunted corridors.

Rating: 8/10

Very good premise, but so frustrating and unfair in its current state.
EDIT: Slightly better after the QoL update, but I firmly believe there should be some kind of save checkpoint in-between each path (and perhaps multiple save slots too?) It's insane that you can get so far into the game, only to get screwed over by crappy RNG. I've only unlocked Heretic so far, and I can't imagine playing without the "heal on first attack" mechanic, considering how difficult it is to get any significant value from healing magicks.