Ark's Wonder Dungeon

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 11 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • gameplay
Ark's Wonder Dungeon Game Cover
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This game contains visualizations of fantasy gore, alcohol, and drugs. It also contains occasional allusions to debauchery and suicide. Viewer discretion is advised. A simplistic dungeon crawling experience with complex ATB battles akin to 90s JRPGs, your success in Ark's Wonder Dungeon's relies on risky resource management in the overworld and assessing equipment in order to assemble a team able…

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Reviews

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 11 reviews
graphics7 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming art style and a unique blend of JRPG and roguelike elements, providing a refreshing experience.
  • It offers a high level of replayability with a variety of items, characters, and achievements to unlock, keeping gameplay interesting.
  • The combat system encourages strategic decision-making and experimentation, making each run feel rewarding and engaging.
  • The game lacks native controller support, requiring some mouse usage for certain elements, which can be inconvenient.
  • The difficulty level can be quite challenging, especially for newcomers, as it requires careful planning and understanding of mechanics.
  • Some gameplay elements and icons are not intuitive, leading to confusion during initial runs and requiring time to learn.
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming hand-drawn art style that effectively complements its whimsical yet dark narrative. While some elements may appear simplistic or childlike, the overall aesthetic is striking and engaging, enhancing the atmosphere and replayability of the game. Players appreciate the unique artwork and creative character designs, which contribute to a wholesome and immersive experience.

    • “A charming JRPG meets Binding of Isaac game with a simple but good art style and a lot of content for the price point.”
    • “Fun roguelike game with a charming art style and a reason to keep replaying it with new items, story, levels, and bosses being unlocked with each run.”
    • “I personally enjoyed the art style and it ties nicely into the atmosphere of the story.”
    • “The graphics are very striking with that hand-drawn style, while the story part looks like it was drawn by a 6-year-old.”
    • “So, since there are no reviews for this game, I thought I'll write my own, since I hesitated to play it at first and think there will be people who will hesitate to play it as well based on a simplified store page and deceptive graphics.”
    • “First things first: the art style.”
  • story10 mentions

    The story is described as intriguing and rewarding, with a mix of charm and darkness that keeps players engaged. While some find the narrative simplistic or vague, others appreciate the unique characters and lore that enhance the overall experience. The art style complements the story's atmosphere, contributing to a compelling roguelike adventure.

    • “The story is very fun and rewarding.”
    • “Also, I just really enjoy the art style, and the story is strange and vague enough to keep me interested and looking through various flavor text for more lore.”
    • “The story is interesting so far; this weird dungeon was built underneath a desert to experiment on a poor girl who has been trained to become a violent killing machine on random monsters.”
    • “The graphics are very striking with that hand-drawn style, while the story part looks like it was drawn by a 6-year-old.”
    • “But like I said, the story, artwork, dialogue, etc. are all pretty wholesome.”
    • “I don't know too much about the story yet, but it's definitely got a lot more playtime I want to get out of it for sure.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as a chaotic yet structured experience typical of a JRPG roguelike, offering an interesting blend of strategy and unpredictability. However, some players find it overwhelming and lacking clarity, particularly regarding certain mechanics like the "agility" stat, suggesting that the game could benefit from further refinement and polish. Overall, while the creativity and artistic elements are appreciated, the gameplay needs clearer guidance to enhance the player experience.

    • “It's obvious that the game was made by a passionate indie developer who has a lot of ideas and creativity, so I think the gameplay needs just a little bit of polishing and clarity to really make the game shine.”
    • “Gameplay: well it is a JRPG roguelike; that's what's on the tin and this is what it is.”
    • “The gameplay is chaotic, but there is an order to it, which makes the gameplay interesting while not being entirely reliant on luck.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music and sound design in the game are well-received, with players expressing a fondness for the soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, particularly in unique areas like the yellowish ruins. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's entertaining characters and engaging art style.

    • “The music and sound design are good; you will grow fond of the things you hear.”
    • “The soundtrack is good, and oh man, the combat!”
    • “I really like the music; the atmosphere of this dungeon is very strange, and it's got a crude but enjoyable art style.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Players find the game highly replayable due to its engaging world and story, despite the presence of set bosses. The simplistic art style complements the dark narrative, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging multiple playthroughs.

    • “Boasting probably an equal amount of replayability and a simplistic art style, this game has a nice dark tinge to its story as well.”
    • “First and foremost, replayability.”
    • “The game and world are replayable even with set bosses.”
    • “Boasting probably an equal amount of replayability and an equally simplistic art style, this game has a nice dark tinge to its story as well.”
    • “First - replayability.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a strange and engaging dungeon setting, complemented by enjoyable music and a crude yet appealing art style. Reviewers appreciate how the art style enhances the overall ambiance, contributing to an immersive experience that encourages further exploration of the story.

    • “I really like the music; the atmosphere of this dungeon is very strange, and it's got a crude but enjoyable art style. I don't know too much about the story yet, but it's definitely got a lot more playtime I want to get out of it for sure.”
    • “I personally enjoyed the art style, and it ties nicely into the atmosphere of the story.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's emphasis on optimization, as it encourages the creation of more efficient builds to successfully defeat challenging secret bosses that require specific conditions to be met.

    • “The game stays interesting as you need to start making more optimized builds to beat the secret bosses, which require fulfilling certain conditions.”
    • “The optimization mechanics encourage players to think strategically about their builds, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
    • “Finding the right balance in optimization not only enhances gameplay but also adds a layer of depth that keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “The game requires constant optimization of builds to defeat the secret bosses, which can be frustrating.”
    • “I found the optimization process tedious and not very rewarding, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The lack of clear guidelines for optimization left me feeling lost and overwhelmed.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome storytelling, artwork, and dialogue, which collectively create a heartwarming experience for players.

    • “The story, artwork, and dialogue are all incredibly wholesome and evoke strong emotions.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me throughout the game.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the narrative and the way it tackled complex themes.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate that this game effectively addresses the often tedious grinding associated with many roguelikes, enhancing their overall enjoyment and engagement.

    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find the grinding mechanics to be overly repetitive and draining, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to progress is frustrating and feels like a chore rather than an enjoyable challenge.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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