Boyfriend Dungeon

Boyfriend Dungeon Review – To Woo Or Not To Woo, That Is The Question

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"Boyfriend Dungeon" is a dating action-adventure game where you date up to nine sentient weapons, from swords to daggers, that transform into humanoid forms. Explore generated dunjons, defeat creatures, and take your weapon-babes on romantic outings. Solve the mystery of disappearing weapons while navigating an inclusive and tasteful approach to gender and sexuality.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,357 reviews

story161 positive mentions

grinding50 negative mentions

Unique blend of dating sim and dungeon crawler mechanics that keeps gameplay fresh and engaging.
Diverse cast of characters with well-written storylines that allow for both romantic and platonic relationships.
Beautiful art style and an amazing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.

The game is relatively short, with only two dungeons and limited content, leading to a feeling of incompleteness.
Some characters feel one-dimensional and their story arcs can be rushed, lacking depth and development.
The combat mechanics can feel simplistic and easy, which may disappoint players looking for a challenge.

story
544 mentions
30 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Boyfriend Dungeon" is a blend of lighthearted dating sim elements and darker themes, including stalking and emotional manipulation, which may be triggering for some players. While many characters have engaging backstories and the ability to pursue platonic or romantic relationships adds depth, the overall narrative can feel rushed and lacks significant player agency, often leading to a sense of railroading through the plot. Despite its shortcomings, the game is praised for its charming characters and unique premise, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy a mix of romance and dungeon crawling.
- “The characters are fantastic, the dungeon-crawling is superb, and the story is well-crafted.”
- “The story is enjoyable and well-written, and I had a lot of fun progressing down the various weapon/partners storylines and dating paths, the game is even nice enough to give you options to be platonic, romantic, sexual, etc., and you're not penalized for dating or sleeping with all the characters, which is neat!”
- “I loved this game so much - the combat mechanics as well as the story and the relationships you 'forge' with all the weapons is so compelling and beautiful, and really made this game fun for me.”
- “When the game has this agency and comfort taken from you through the plot, it hurts, and players should be mindful of the trigger warnings before playing because it does have a recurring character overstepping your boundaries.”
- “Rather than having a major impact on how the story plays out, the story happens to you with you only getting to choose which parts play out around you.”
- “The main plot feels like it trucks along with or without your consent.”
gameplay
283 mentions
46 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Boyfriend Dungeon" combines dungeon crawling with dating sim elements, offering a unique but somewhat simplistic experience. While the combat mechanics are generally smooth and easy to grasp, many players find the gameplay loop repetitive due to limited dungeon variety and a lack of depth in combat challenges. Overall, the game is enjoyable for casual gamers, featuring charming characters and a cozy atmosphere, but may disappoint those seeking a more robust roguelike experience.
- “The gameplay loop (go in the dungeon, raise affinity with weapons, go on dates, repeat) gets repetitive, but the game is short enough for it not to get too boring. I did 2 playthroughs, each taking approximately 6 hours to finish the main story and 2 character routes, plus an additional 6 to get 100% achievements.”
- “I loved this game so much - the combat mechanics as well as the story and the relationships you 'forge' with all the weapons is so compelling and beautiful, and really made this game fun for me.”
- “The dungeon crawling portions of the game are actually really fun and the fighting mechanics are super smooth - there wasn't a moment where I was unhappy about either having to grind or choosing to focus on the story.”
- “The gameplay loop (go in the dungeon, raise affinity with weapons, go on dates, repeat) gets repetitive, but the game is short enough for it not to get too boring.”
- “The premise 'date your weapons' is great, but this game barely manages to deliver on that premise in the most basic way, and in some ways it's even offensively regressive from a mechanical standpoint.”
- “The gameplay is very simple and relatively well-executed, but it can get somewhat repetitive and redundant after a while.”
music
244 mentions
59 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, diverse, and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players describe the music as fitting perfectly with the gameplay, creating a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere, while some noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The soundtrack is amazing, the art is absolutely adorable, the writing is hilarious, and the overall message of the game is the absolute sweetest.”
- “The music is so good! I can confidently say I liked them all and will listen to the music for the next few weeks or months.”
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal too, which I feel was the main reason I became fully engaged in the game and everything.”
- “However, I will say it had an amateur feel to it from gameplay to plot lines to the music and some of the voice acting.”
- “I think with a bit more experience the dungeons and the dates felt a bit tedious and the music, which is good, became repetitive and annoyed me a bit.”
- “Each dungeon only has one (or maybe two) soundtracks, so it becomes slightly repetitive after a while; could do with more music options.”
graphics
106 mentions
64 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning art style, which combines gorgeous hand-drawn animations with charming character designs. While some players noted a disparity between the beautiful visuals and simpler 3D elements, the overall aesthetic is considered immersive and appealing, enhancing the gameplay experience. The unique art style, along with engaging cutscenes and character animations, contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The game's overall aesthetic is a testament to the developers' passion and creativity, creating a truly immersive experience.”
- “The graphics and art design are fantastic and serve the game very well.”
- “The visuals are stunning, especially the scenes where the characters transition from sword to human form.”
- “It's fun to play with a friend on call reading the ridiculous scenarios of this game and for you who is alone, try not to mind the kind of Roblox-like visuals when you're in the mall.”
- “The art style in the dungeons is also completely different from the rest of the game and not in a way I like - I'm not expecting mind-blowing hand-animated 2D art, but I would like it to remind me less of goofy party games when the 2D art in the game is so gorgeous.”
- “Graphics: B – while the hand-drawn artwork is gorgeous, the 3D stuff lets it down a little, and your character you control, while cute in a chibi sort of way, feels like a less expressive Nintendo Mii.”
emotional
86 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartwarming narratives and complex character interactions, often addressing themes of intimacy, personal growth, and emotional challenges. Players appreciate the diverse representation and the ability to connect with characters on a deeper level, though some express discomfort with elements of emotional manipulation and stalking woven into the storyline. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke genuine feelings, making it a touching and memorable experience despite its occasional awkwardness.
- “The writing is refreshing, delivering witty dialogue, heartfelt confessions, and moments of genuine emotional depth.”
- “I honestly didn't think I'd love this game this much, but the dialogues were close to my heart and at some point made me cry a bit.”
- “A wonderful game with interesting three-dimensional characters and a touching story.”
grinding
51 mentions
6 % positive mentions
-4 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the dungeon crawling tedious and repetitive, especially after completing the limited number of dungeons. While some appreciate the grind for crafting materials and relationship building, others feel it detracts from the overall pacing and enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the grinding can be enjoyable for completionists but may frustrate those seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “The dungeon crawling aspect is cute in concept, but without much variety that leaves it feeling very tedious even in terms of dungeon-crawling.”
- “Through the halfway mark this aspect of the game does get repetitive and tedious as most of the weapons have been unlocked, enemies generally stay the same level, and no new mechanics are introduced.”
- “Grinding materials and love ranks got a bit tedious towards the end though.”
humor
49 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and wit, with players enjoying the hilarious writing, quirky characters, and lighthearted moments that balance the more serious themes. Many found the comedic elements to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, contributing to a fun and engaging experience, although some noted that certain aspects could feel repetitive or less memorable. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with heartfelt storytelling, making it a delightful and enjoyable experience for players.
- “The soundtrack is amazing, the art is absolutely adorable, the writing is hilarious, and the overall message of the game is the absolute sweetest.”
- “It's funny, it's charming, and you become fully invested in the characters.”
- “The writing was excellent - heartfelt, funny, and genuinely shocking at times.”
character development
24 mentions
46 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and thoughtful writing that allows for meaningful character arcs, while others feel it can be rushed or lacking in certain areas. Many players appreciate the diverse character designs and engaging interactions, though some express disappointment in the attachment to characters and the overall pacing of development. Overall, the writing and character development are generally well-received, but there are notable critiques regarding consistency and depth.
- “I don't like K-pop or his kind of idol character usually, but I really enjoy his character development, and the writers did an excellent job writing a character that has clinical depression but manages it really well.”
- “Without going into too much detail and venturing into spoiler territory - the character development is great and the humor is 10/10.”
- “I don't think people realize the character development for each character, including yourself (except maybe Jesse): it's very well-written.”
- “I don't have any attachment to any of them (except for Pocket) and it kinda sucks because I really love the character designs.”
- “The art (janky in places) and animation is nice but I couldn't care less how pretty something is when character development doesn't exist.”
- “In terms of writing, it seems like a lot of it is missing and a lot of the character development feels rushed.”
replayability
23 mentions
17 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the variety in weapons and character interactions, while others find it limited due to a lack of distinct romantic endings and a relatively short playtime of around 7-8 hours. While there are branching paths and enjoyable dungeon combat that encourage multiple playthroughs, many feel that the overall experience does not warrant extensive replaying, especially for those seeking deeper challenges or a more traditional dating sim experience.
- “The variety in weapons really does add to replayability.”
- “Though it's a short game at launch (almost 100% clear in about 7-8 hours), the characters are all interesting in their own way, there are a lot of branching paths, and there's plenty of room for replayability.”
- “The play time feels just right, not too long and not too short, and the replayability is perfect anyway and I will be 100%ing this game.”
- “There's no replayability because you can romance everyone in one playthrough and there's no real romantic endings with characters.”
- “The game's biggest flaw is that it's also very short (I beat it in 7 hours and with nearly 100% completion) and has no replayability.”
- “I enjoyed playing this game but I feel there is little to no replay value as of the current date.”
stability
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is marred by frequent bugs and glitches, including crashes during critical moments like the tutorial and epilogue. While some players noted minor lag and UI issues, these problems detracted from the overall experience, especially given the game's lengthy development time. Despite these concerns, most users felt the game remained playable without major disruptions.
- “There were a few glitches that made some parts of the game a struggle - the worst being having the game crash twice at the same point of the epilogue, and I didn't want to keep doing the last battle, so I ended up watching on my phone, which wasn't as fun.”
- “For a lack of a better term, I would have liked to see the world and backstories a little more fleshed out, as well as some unforgivable UI glitches that render the text occasionally unreadable and require a reload. Yes, I get that Kitfox is an indie developer, so nitpicking is a bit gauche, but for how long this game was in development, I just expected a little better.”
- “The final boss fight got a little buggy at the end, though.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is largely praised for its captivating dungeons, engaging storyline, and exceptional soundtrack, which effectively sets the tone and enhances immersion. However, some players feel that certain character voice choices detract from the overall experience, momentarily breaking their connection to the atmosphere.
- “It has a wonderful soundtrack, such a nice atmosphere, and a really interesting world.”
- “The soundtrack is so good; it really sets the atmosphere, theme, and tone of the game.”
- “For me, a couple of characters didn't have voices that suited them, which led to me being taken out of the atmosphere and just thinking about them in the booth.”
- “I'm obsessed with the atmosphere of the dungeons and the storyline.”
optimization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players recommend using the command line option -force-vulkan on Linux to enhance performance. The game can be completed in about 8 hours with minimal grinding, suggesting a well-optimized experience that encourages replayability.
- “Overall, I finished the main story and maxed all love ranks in about 8 hours, without too much grinding or time-optimized gameplay - which left me wanting more. I think replaying this game will be fun.”
- “Run with the command line option -force-vulkan on Linux for better performance!”
- “Overall, I finished the main story and maxed all love ranks in about 8 hours, without too much grinding or time-optimized gameplay - which left me wanting more, though I think replaying this game will be fun.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism, particularly regarding the romantic options, as players feel that pursuing certain characters, especially the prominently advertised one, may lead to unsatisfactory outcomes, suggesting a potential paywall or incentivized content that detracts from the overall experience.
- “Honestly, if you want a happy ending to your game, don't play this... or at least don't romance Sunder, aka the one they are mainly advertising with.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “It's frustrating that the best content is locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”