I still remember the first time I stumbled upon Fortune Gems Jili - it was during one of those late-night gaming sessions where I was desperately searching for something that could scratch that Hades-like itch. Little did I know I was about to unlock what would become my newest gaming obsession. The setup immediately felt familiar yet refreshingly different, challenging players to fight through four distinct zones in a single run, each culminating in an epic boss battle that tests everything you've learned up to that point.
What really makes Fortune Gems Jili stand out from other roguelikes is how it handles progression and player choice. After clearing each randomly generated battle arena - and trust me, these arenas can get pretty intense - you're presented with those crucial door choices that determine your build's direction. I've found myself staring at those doors countless times, weighing whether to go for immediate power spikes or long-term currency gains. It's these moments that create genuine tension and strategic depth, much like that heart-pounding feeling you get when choosing between boons in Hades.
The experiments system is where Fortune Gems Jili truly shines. After defeating every last enemy in an arena, you get to choose from three different buffs that can completely transform your run. I've had runs where I focused purely on health upgrades, pushing my character's vitality to around 150% of the base value, while other attempts saw me stacking elemental damage that turned my basic attacks into screen-clearing explosions. The beauty lies in how these experiments interact - sometimes you stumble upon combinations that feel downright broken in the best possible way.
One aspect I particularly appreciate is how the game allows you to level up these buffs based on your door choices. During my most successful run, I managed to upgrade my fire elemental damage three times, increasing its potency by approximately 65% compared to the base version. The longer you survive, the more powerful and customized your character becomes, creating this incredible power fantasy that makes each run feel unique. I've noticed that my average successful run lasts about 45 minutes, though my personal best stands at 68 minutes when I managed to create what I call the "dodge build" - augmenting my evasion with damage-dealing effects that turned defensive maneuvers into offensive opportunities.
The weapon modification experiments are where the game's creativity really shows. I remember one run where I transformed my standard semi-automatic pistol into a three-round burst weapon with ricochet properties, creating this beautiful chaos where bullets would bounce between enemies. Another time, I modified my shotgun to fire explosive rounds that dealt area damage - though I learned the hard way that this comes with reduced single-target damage against bosses. These aren't just simple stat increases; they fundamentally change how you approach combat situations.
What surprised me most about Fortune Gems Jili is how it balances accessibility with depth. New players can stick to straightforward health and damage upgrades, while veterans can experiment with more complex combinations. I've probably completed around 30-40 runs at this point, and I'm still discovering new experiment synergies. Just last week, I found a combination that allowed me to chain lightning between enemies every time I dodged, creating this beautiful dance of destruction that felt incredibly satisfying to execute.
The currency system adds another layer to the long-term progression. While experiments only last for your current run, the currencies you collect can be used to unlock permanent upgrades and new starting options. I've invested roughly 15 hours into the game and have unlocked about 70% of the available permanent upgrades. This creates this wonderful loop where even failed runs contribute to your overall progress, making each attempt feel meaningful rather than frustrating.
If there's one piece of advice I'd give to new players, it's to embrace experimentation. Don't be afraid to try weird experiment combinations - some of my most successful runs came from builds I initially thought would be terrible. Pay attention to how different experiments interact, and don't underestimate utility upgrades that might not seem impressive at first glance. I've found that balancing offensive, defensive, and utility experiments typically yields the best results, though sometimes going all-in on one category can create surprisingly effective specialized builds.
Fortune Gems Jili manages to capture that magical feeling of constant discovery and progression that made games like Hades so compelling, while introducing enough unique mechanics to stand on its own. The way it handles player choice through the door system creates genuine strategic depth, and the experiment combinations provide nearly endless build possibilities. Whether you're a roguelike veteran or new to the genre, there's something deeply satisfying about watching your character evolve from run to run, becoming more powerful and specialized with each choice you make. After spending countless hours with the game, I can confidently say that understanding these systems is key to unlocking the true potential of Fortune Gems Jili and consistently boosting your winnings through strategic experiment selection and smart door choices.