Fair warning up front: Games require an internet connection on startup. Although no constant internet connection required, this may still sour some people.
Also: Ignore any comment about Dungeon Keeper.
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| Info Box |
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Developer: Realmforge
Publisher: Kalypso Media
Steam Store Links: Dungeons 1 aka Dungeons Steam Special Edition, Dungeons 2 aka Dungeons - The Dark Lord
Prices (Sale price in red will be updated accordingly):
Code:
Dungeons Dungeons2 Dungeons Gold
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EU | 75% off/13,99 75% off/18,99 75% off/29,99
UK | 75% off/11,99 75% off/14,99 75% off/24,99
US | 75% off/14,99 75% off/19,99 75% off/29,99~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Screens |
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| FAQYMBA |
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What is this game about?
Scroll down to the Gameplay section or continue reading, I'll tell you later. But in short: A more or less rather basic dungeon simulator with some tower defense elements thrown in, where you take an active part in defending your dungeon.
So its like Dungeon Keeper?
No, its not a sequel and also doesnt play like it. People expecting that WILL be disappointed. Just try to avoid this comparison altogether and judge this game on its own merits. No more Dungeon Keeper talk now.
Why an OT for this game?
THESE games. Its a series, with 2 whole entries! And why not? Its not THAT old, and I wager not enough people have played it.
...yeah, but I heard it had a pretty bad Review average? Like 65% Metacritic.
Gnghng, I was hoping we'd avoid that topic. But since the elephant is now firmly standing before us: This game is not as bad as the 65% Metacritic ranking suggests.
1. This game has been advertised and received (pre launch) as a Dungeon Keeper sequel, which it simply is not. This led to a huge disappointment and (understandably), people scoring it lower for their high expectations now being thoroughly crushed. Seriously, now no more Dungeon Keeper talk.
2. Dungeons 1 had quite a few issues that hampered the enjoyment of the player. However, almost all of the big gameplay issues (like for example a dissatisfying zooming option) have been remedied in the sequel and, even better, have been applied to Dungeons 1 on launch day of Dungeons 2 as a patch! Any review written in the launch period of Dungeons 1 is not representative of the current gaming experience. If you want to read reviews, search for reviews of Dungeons - The Dark Lord, and apply that to both games.
Which game should I buy?
Well, since both games have a rather lengthy story campaign with additional challenges that you probably wont be able to achieve in one go, plus several challenge maps that will add even more levels to play... both?
There aren't many actual difference here due to all gameplay improvements being present in both games. I have the slight hunch that Dungeons 2 might have more items and a few other minor gameplay additions, but I don't think more items necessarily enhance the gameplay experience since you already have quite a few anyway.However, there are 2 big differences:
1. Dungeons1 has more challenge maps, even without DLC. But if you decide to get the DLC (which will make your Dungeons1+DLC purchase about as expensive as to only purchase Dungeons2), you'll have amore than enough maps to play.
2. Dungeons2 has Multiplayer, whereas Dungeons1 has not. This might be interesting for some, but I havent tested it yet.
...TL&DR, so what do you suggest?
...get Dungeons 1 + DLC. Get Dungeons 2 (for the new campaign and MP) in the next sale after you are done with Dungeons 1 and know whether MP might be interesting to you.
I bought the game, but the beginning is rather boring..
Yeah, the first hour you are doing quite a bit of grunt work. The game does a VERY good job of teaching new mechanics at a decent pace throughout the campaign, but especially the first area is a bit tiresome because you don't get much to do except walking and some slashing. The first "proper" map is also a bit restrictive since they give you some subtle hints how to play through the first map by the design of the map itself (lots of stone that you cannot dig tunnels through), thus limiting your actual options of dungeon creation.
~10 minutes for the real boring part and then ~30minutes for the first, rather uninspired map. After that the fun definitely picks up with the now active levelling system, motivating map achievements and more diverse progression in the next maps.
How much content?
More than enough. The campaign of each game will probably last you around 15-20 hours the first time around for 10-12 story maps and the DLC for the first game will overall add 60+ new challenge maps for various game modes.
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| Gameplay Impressions |
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Click here for a very well done gameplay description youtube vid (Please ignore his Dungeon Keeper comments.)
Alright! So here it goes.
I wouldn't say that this is my favorite game/series ever, but I do think that it is way too overlooked and discriminated against. I went over the reasons for that already, but I really think that taken on its own merits, these games are actually quite unique and with all their inidividual elements coming together, very satisfactory to play.
What it all comes down to, is basically a kind of reverse tower defense. Not only in theme (since you are the badboy slaying the heroes), but also in mechanics. Your placed "towers" exist only to satisfy the needs of the ones you need to kill. Still with me? Alright, that is because the core concept revolves around killing "satisfied" heroes. The more needs of a hero you satisfied, the more "soul energy" he will give you after you killed him, which in turn can be used to use some Dungeon spells or buy items for your dungeon to get even MORE soul energy from those heroes.
Thats more or less how the game works. Heroes come, you satisfy their needs, kill them and use the money and soul energy gained to improve your dungeon. I need to admit that there really could be a bit more variety to that. Like actual (and devious) traps to lure your heroes into etc. However, they still managed to make this a rather fun affair due to some aspects that work together rather splendidly.
First of all, there is an overall levellingsystem of your hero, giving you steady progress and new skills throughout the campaign, that make new campaign maps feel different just by the fact that you now have different skills to use than in the map before:
Additionally, linked to that, there are several integral achievements on each campaign map that will give you skill points if you complete them. Those vary quite a bit between the levels, making the levels feel even more different. After all you will play differently if you need to save up to a certain amount of gold, if you are to never reach a certain amount of gold, or if you are supposed to abstain from using something you would normally use.
These may sound like small things, but actually go a great way of ensuring you never quite feel like doing the exact same thing over and over again. These games are by no means a revelation or the hardcore dungeon simulation people were hoping them to be, but they are definitely fun (after the initial tutorial area) and have a well thought out progression. Lots of diversity and content too, I'd suggest giving the first one a shot. You could do far worse with your 5 bucks. Also: watch the vid in the beginning of the gameplay section, it does a very good job of conveying the game mechanics.
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Some gameplay hints
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1. That may sound like a small thing, but you can adjust your minimap size to show you a bigger area. Makes a huge difference in navigation.
2. Your dungeon can get concoluted with a lot of heroes and monsters. Pressing caps lock will show you all of the life bars, so you can make out all the heroes and their satisfaction level at one glance.
3. You have a total amount of monsters you can command (indicated by the count in the upper left corner). You can raise that amount by incorporating "Monster homes" into your dungeon reign.
4. Build narrow tunnels to properly "guide" heroes. Use prestige objects in tunnels where you want heroes to walk, and leave tunnels where your working bees (goblins) work void of prestige objects so they dont clash too often.
5. Make sure to always have enough prisons since you cant get soul energy otherwise
6. Remember to spend your skill points, and also feel free to use the skill scrolls you earned. There is not much point in collecting them.
And as always, rule #1. Wait for a possible daily deal if its less than 75% off.
