Sol Cesto

I fell into Sol Cesto expecting a cute little roguelite and came out dizzy from laughter and frustration in equal measure. The game mashes up tactical row-choices with random tile outcomes, so every decision feels like placing a bet. If you like games that let you bend probabilities rather than brute-force them, this one has a rare charm. It’s part Balatro-style gambling, part Imbroglio-like tight design, but unmistakably its own creature.

Choosing a Row Is Choosing Your Fate

Gameplay in Sol Cesto is deceptively simple: each combat board has four rows and each row contains four tiles. You pick a row, then the game lands you on one of the tiles in that row at random, and what happens depends entirely on that tile — monsters, chests, traps, or strange events. That tension of not knowing where you'll land is the core thrill. Over the course of a run you’ll juggle gold, health, and items while learning which rows are “safer” with your current setup. I often found myself whispering to the screen like a gambler, “please not the poison,” and that’s part of the fun.

Teeth, Curses and the Fine Art of Probabilities

What makes Sol Cesto stand out are the stone teeth and metal teeth systems: they literally change the rules and odds of the board. Stone teeth nudge probabilities or modify outcomes, while metal teeth unlock brutal curses and combos that can turn an unlucky run into a masterpiece. Add in a cast of seven characters with distinct starting kits and a variety of items and you suddenly have a toolkit for bending chance. There’s satisfying deckbuilding-lite in how you mix these modifiers; some runs become about maximizing coin-siphon combos, others about surviving on pure probability manipulation. It can sometimes feel like a gambling table where you earn tools to stack the deck in your favor — and I mean that in the best possible way.

Atmosphere, Art and the Little Engine That Runs It

Visually, Sol Cesto is a mood: muted palettes, odd character designs and fluid animations that make every chest opening or curse feel weighty. The soundtrack is equally sly — a dreamy rhythmic undercurrent that makes tight decisions feel cinematic. The UI is clean and the board readability is usually excellent, though some players report small text issues on Steam Deck and occasional stutters. Performance was smooth on my PC, but the community feedback mentions a few freezes with Proton and a desire for better controller/touch support. These are quibbles next to how lovingly the world is presented: the underground biomes each sing with personality and the enemy behaviors give the tile decisions real consequences.

How It Feels Over Time

Runs are short enough that you’ll try “just one more” far too often, but there’s an unlock loop that rewards experimentation: new teeth, new characters, and shop items that drastically change strategies. Early runs can feel swingy — and yes, some users call it a slot machine — but I found strategy in embracing that swing: knowing when to press a row, when to cash out, and when to gamble on a chest. There are occasional balance quirks and a few items that feel overpowered early on, but the devs seem responsive. Boss rooms are rewarding when you reach them, though the ability to skip content with keys can sometimes undercut difficulty pacing. Still, the combination of risk management, quirky mechanics, and the satisfaction of pulling off a run where the odds finally land on your side keeps me coming back for more.

Sol Cesto is one of those rare indie titles that feels like a small, fully realized world. If you enjoy calculated risk, striking visuals, and short runs that teach you through loss and reward, grab it. There are rough edges — balance and QoL fixes would help — but the core is delightful. Highly recommended for fans of experimental roguelites.