Catacombs of the Undercity

About

"Catacombs of the Undercity" is a digital gamebook where you navigate through the treacherous underground tunnels of Orlandes City to escape the clutches of the Red Hand Guild. With the help of dice rolls, you'll determine your character's vitality, fitness, and luck while encountering various enemies and overcoming obstacles. The game features stunning high-resolution artwork and a haunting soundtrack that adds to the eerie atmosphere of this subterranean adventure. Your goal is to reach Undercity and uncover the sinister secrets hidden beneath the city's streets.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

replayability4 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game offers an enjoyable choose-your-own-adventure experience with a variety of encounters and branching paths, providing decent replay value.
The writing is engaging and atmospheric, effectively immersing players in a dark underground fantasy realm.
The combat system, while different from traditional RPGs, is smooth and fast, allowing for quick gameplay and fun interactions.

The combat system can feel random and frustrating, with some encounters being disproportionately difficult compared to others.
The story lacks depth and urgency, making it less compelling than previous entries in the series.
There are game-breaking bugs that remain unfixed, which can significantly detract from the overall experience.

story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The story is straightforward and less mysterious than its predecessor, featuring a well-presented narrative set in a grim underworld, though it lacks urgency and immersion. While the writing can be cheesy and the plot uninspiring, the game offers a detailed experience with a unique blend of text-based adventure and interactive elements. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy morbid themes, but may not satisfy players seeking a more engaging or original storyline.
- “The 'story' is pretty darn nice, if you're as morbidly inclined as myself... and that's a pretty good thing when you consider that it's a text-based adventure, and thereby all about the story, really!”
- “It combines a virtual novel, a choose your own adventure, and D&D dice rolling based on your character's stats in order to determine the story you get, and this will certainly vary every time you play it!”
- “This series is written in a lot more detail and has a more engaging battle system than Fighting Fantasy, and I think it works well ported to a digital format, with options for inevitable cheating being available anyway, and good handling of things like repeated backtracking in the story.”
- “Cons: the artwork (typical for these titles), a bit too cheesy writing, the story is uninspiring albeit not unoriginal, no sense of urgency or tension, low immersion, multiple decisions do not really matter besides flavor (quite typical for titles after 2010 both books and video games).”
- “I would have persevered, but the storyline is not very attractive: you're thrown into a nasty underworld and have, of course, to make your escape.”
- “The plot is rather more limited this time around, although it does become a bit more lively towards the end.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting significant value due to branching paths and achievements, while others find it minimal. However, the inclusion of three difficulty settings and a well-crafted narrative contributes to a generally positive replay experience for those seeking challenge and depth.
- “Many branching paths and plenty of achievements give it some replay value.”
- “The game has three difficulty settings and it is long enough and challenging enough to provide a good amount of replay value.”
- “This creates a huge replayability in the game, and it is also pretty well written to create a fun fantasy to imagine yourself in.”
- “Minimal replay value”
- “Minimal replay value”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its enjoyable and immersive qualities, enhanced by excellent music and artwork. The detailed narrative adds depth to the experience, making each moment feel significant, while the smooth combat and humor contribute to an engaging overall vibe.
- “Written by a different author compared to the 'Assassins' series, it still feels good and has a very good atmosphere.”
- “Music and artwork are also very nice and atmospheric, and the text lovingly relishes the details of your each and every demise (and those of the creatures which you slay)... so no complaints from yours truly about any of that.”
- “Pros: enjoyable read, multiple valid paths, decent atmosphere/flavor, combat is smooth/fast, some funny choices.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
50%
The graphics are characterized by a mix of typical artwork styles that some find cheesy, yet there are standout elements like excellent black-and-white illustrations that enhance the atmosphere. While the visuals and music contribute positively to the overall experience, the lack of urgency and low immersion detract from the impact of the graphics. Overall, the artistic presentation is appreciated, but it may not break new ground in terms of originality.
- “There is a series of excellent black and white artworks to collect, as well as a set of nineteen achievements to complete.”
- “Music and artwork are also very nice and atmospheric, and the text lovingly relishes the details of your each and every demise (and those of the creatures which you slay)... so no complaints from yours truly about any of that.”
- “The artwork is typical for these titles, but it feels a bit too cheesy and lacks originality.”
- “The graphics contribute to a low immersion experience, making it hard to feel engaged with the game.”
- “Overall, the visuals do not enhance the storytelling, leaving the experience uninspiring.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the funny choices that add to the enjoyable narrative. The combination of a decent atmosphere and engaging gameplay enhances the comedic elements, making for a lighthearted experience.
- “The game offers an enjoyable read with multiple valid paths, and I found some of the choices to be genuinely funny.”
- “The atmosphere is decent and flavorful, and the humor sprinkled throughout made the experience even more enjoyable.”
- “I appreciated the smooth and fast combat, but it was the funny choices that really stood out and added to the overall fun.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay has been noted as lacking, despite the presence of great writing in the game.
- “Great writing, but the gameplay is lacking.”
- “Great writing, but the gameplay is lacking.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The music is praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall experience of the game, while the accompanying artwork complements this ambiance effectively. Reviewers appreciate the attention to detail in both the music and the narrative, contributing to an immersive experience without any noted complaints.
- “The music and artwork are very nice and atmospheric, creating an immersive experience that enhances the gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack beautifully complements the game's atmosphere, making each moment feel more impactful.”
- “The music adds a layer of depth to the game, perfectly matching the tone and enhancing the overall experience.”