Dungeons of Dredmor Reviews

We have another batch of reviews for Gaslamp Games’ roguelike Dungeons of Dredmor, which seems to be receiving some fairly positive impressions from press and gamers alike since it’s been released on Steam.

Eurogamer, 8/10.

These are tiny issues, however, when balanced against the complexity of what Gaslamp has created and the compact space it’s fitted it all into. From the procedural gobbledegook of your character epitaphs and goon chatter to achievements that come littered with references to Indiana Jones and Kubrick, this is feelgood RPG gaming at its most authentic. It’s mean-spirited, dizzyingly deep, and snarkily nostalgic all at once – and those are just the skills and attributes I look for in a roguelike.

GamesRadar, 7/10, dislikes the inventory system.

This game is arguably the best attempt made by an indie developer to bring the roguelike genre into the mainstream thus far. Inventory management may be an absolute chore, but you’ll be willing to forgive that thanks to the intense, strategic combat and sharp humor. It also bears mentioning that if you’re a little turned off by the thought of permanently dying and losing all of your progress, the game does enable players to turn off the permanent death feature (although, we think you’re kind of missing the point if you do that). For those who aren’t afraid of a little self-punishment, Dungeons of Dredmor promises hours of enjoyment and frustration at a stupidly cheap bargain bin price ($5 on Steam).

Critic, 4.5/5.

These RPG mechanics mix well with the game’s stylish quirkiness and would have made for something special on their own. What makes Dugeons of Dredmore truly great is the way it handles consequence. You are encouraged to play (permadeath) which quashes reloading. If your character dies, he is totally, properly dead forever and there’s no hope of his spontaneous resurrection a few moments earlier behind the stone doors. This creates an incredible sense of tension, this wonderful feeling whenever you have to weigh the likelihood of surviving any given situation. Do you really want to pull that lever? Really?

Game Boyz, 7/10.

In short, it’s a good example of a roguelike game, with the added bonus of having some eye-candy to make it clear what you’re looking at (most roguelikes use ASCII graphics). It isn’t for everyone. But it is definitely a lot more user friendly than other examples of its genre, and, for the price, is potentially a good introduction to this sort of game.

G3AR, 8.6/10.

It’s hard to stay angry at the game’s sadistic slant, though, because it’s just so good natured about it. Like a hostage lapsing into Stockholm syndrome, I just want to be friends with all these things that want to kill me to death. It’s a dirty clandestine plot, I know, but I like the game’s sense of humour and willingness to wink-wink every geek-ridden little thing.

Really, the game’s a vindication. Screw the audience this is anti-design. But would you look at those happy customers, shanghaied and loving it.

Do I like Dungeons of Dredmor? No, no I bloody well don’t. Should you buy it? Absolutely with sprinkles and naked persons of your chosen gender on top.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun has a round-table “verdict” feature, scoreless as customary, but comes across as positive.

John: Shall we stop talking and just go play it?

Alec: That’s a very good idea. But should the people buy it?

John: I think everyone should definitely buy it.

Alec: Me too! Except the people who don’t think it’s hardcore enough, of course. But they’ve probably already bought it and completed it in ten minutes anyway.

John: Those people are losernerds.

The A.V. Club has a mini-piece, B+.

There are also more than enough different monsters and items, as well as a clever sense of humor that manifests in unique stat names like (caddishness.) But for all that, Dungeons Of Dredmor is missing something that would give it just a little more momentum. Maybe it’s just a bit too big and too complete.