Underplayed Gems

Payroll (2026)

Payroll cover
Developer
Thyme
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres
Casual, Indie, Strategy
Rating
5.0 of 5, 21 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 3.7 hours
Where to get it
Steam
The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A tense, methodical dice-manipulation puzzle where each throw is a careful calculation to meet your target score.

strategictensepuzzle-likemethodicalabstractminimalistchallengingrepetitive

What players say

Players call this an addictive dice roguelike that is easy to pick up but requires strategy to succeed, comparing it favorably to Balatro and Luck Be a Landlord. The developer is praised for rapid updates and responsiveness, including fixing a complaint within 24 hours.

Screenshots

Payroll screenshot 1Payroll screenshot 2Payroll screenshot 3Payroll screenshot 4Payroll screenshot 5Payroll screenshot 6

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.