Dog in the Machine - Steam Review

There are plenty of roguelites that blend deckbuilding with tactical combat, and just as many that lean on quirky premises to stand out. Dog in the Machine manages to do both. Developed by Studio Chahut, this colourful cyberpunk strategy game casts you as an AutoDog trying to escape a dystopian machine-controlled city and reunite with humanity. What initially looks like a light-hearted romp quickly reveals itself to be a surprisingly clever tactical puzzler that constantly challenges you to think several moves ahead.

At its core, Dog in the Machine is a tactical roguelite that unfolds across compact grid-based battlefields populated by hostile robots, environmental hazards, and interactive objects. Rather than simply trading blows with enemies, success comes from understanding how abilities, terrain effects, and battlefield objects interact. Every encounter feels less like a traditional battle and more like a puzzle box waiting to be cracked open.

One of the game's smartest features is its real-time preview system. Before committing to an action, you're shown exactly how events will play out, removing much of the frustration often associated with trial-and-error tactics games. This doesn't make the game easier; instead, it shifts the challenge from prediction to optimisation. You're encouraged to experiment, find efficient solutions, and create spectacular chain reactions that wipe out entire groups of enemies in a single turn.

The deckbuilding element ties neatly into the tactical gameplay. As runs progress, you acquire and customise attacks and abilities, creating builds that can dramatically alter how your robotic canine approaches combat. Some loadouts focus on direct damage, while others revolve around manipulating objects, triggering environmental effects, or controlling enemy positioning. The result is a roguelite that rewards creativity just as much as careful planning.

Visually, Dog in the Machine adopts a colourful, slightly cartoonish art style that helps distinguish it from the sea of grim, neon-soaked cyberpunk worlds currently flooding the genre. The dystopian setting is still present, but it's presented with personality and humour rather than relentless bleakness. The robotic enemies have plenty of charm despite being your constant adversaries, while the various AutoDog breeds add an extra layer of character and replayability.

What really keeps the game engaging is the steady sense of discovery. New breeds, upgrades, encounters, and strategies continually emerge across repeated runs. Even failed attempts often feel productive because you've learned a new interaction or discovered a more effective way to approach a challenge. For fans of roguelites, that's an incredibly important quality.

The game's complexity can occasionally work against it. Some builds are more intuitive than others, and certain character archetypes may take considerably longer to master. Players expecting a straightforward tactics experience might find themselves overwhelmed by the number of possible interactions during the opening hours. Fortunately, the preview systems do a lot of heavy lifting in making the learning process approachable.

Dog in the Machine succeeds because it combines strategic depth, meaningful build variety, and satisfying battlefield manipulation into a package that constantly invites "just one more run." Beneath its charming premise about a robotic dog escaping a machine city lies one of the more inventive strategy roguelites released this year.

Pros

• Excellent tactical combat with powerful chain-reaction mechanics

• Smart action preview system removes unnecessary frustration

• Deep build variety across multiple runs

• Charming cyberpunk setting with plenty of personality

• Strong balance between puzzle-solving and strategy

Cons

• Some builds are less intuitive than others

• Can feel overwhelming during the first few hours

• Repetition may set in for players who aren't invested in perfecting strategies

For strategy fans who enjoy games like Into the Breach, Slice & Dice, or tactical deckbuilding roguelites, Dog in the Machine is well worth a look. Its clever design ensures that every victory feels earned, and every defeat teaches you something useful for the next run.

XPN Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (SILVER)

Dog in the Machine is out now!