Dark Gnome

About

Dark Gnome is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by upjers and was released on March 18, 2019. It received neutral reviews from players.

Retro gaming at its best! Join the cantankerous pixel art gnomes as they raid their neighbors in round-based combat. Chock-full of dark humor and loads of quirky characters, this RPG won‘t let you go. To battle! Play now!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

52%

Audience ScoreBased on 64 reviews

music3 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a charming retro art style and amusing character interactions that add to its appeal.
Players who enjoy grinding in RPGs will find the gameplay engaging and rewarding, with a variety of upgrades and loot to discover.
Despite the presence of microtransactions, some players feel that with patience, they can enjoy the game without spending money.

The game is plagued by excessive wait times for healing and character recovery, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
Microtransactions are aggressively pushed throughout the game, making it feel like a cash grab rather than a genuinely free-to-play experience.
Many players report technical issues, including glitches, sluggish UI, and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience.

story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
70%
18%
The story aspect of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the overarching narrative, though they express frustration with gameplay mechanics that disrupt the flow, such as lengthy healing times and equipment durability issues. Many feel that the game lacks depth beyond quest grinding, which detracts from the overall experience. While the storyline shows promise, the mechanics surrounding mission preparation and character management can hinder immersion and enjoyment.
- “There seems to be a good storyline to follow, and so far at the start, there isn't pressure to buy any of the crystals to speed up the game.”
- “I've leveled my party to five, and running them through a mission that's appropriate to their level (the ancient ruins or dirt road) gets them hurt and injured.”
- “How about quest prompts during the dungeon sequences for things you can't complete yet, that require going through several screens, and that you get frequently?”
- “Other than that, seems like the early armor and weapons deteriorate over 5 missions, which means you have to grind lower-level dungeons for the materials... which is really annoying.”
- “The one thing I don't like is that higher level characters now have to wait incredibly long times to go out on a mission again.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable, especially with the variety of upgrades and activities available to enhance the experience. However, some note that grinding can become time-consuming at higher levels, and those who dislike grinding may find it off-putting, as it is a significant part of gameplay. Overall, the game caters well to fans of grinding in RPGs, while potentially frustrating those who prefer a faster progression.
- “I really like the game, especially as you progress, but once you get to high levels, grinding takes so long.”
- “Cons: if you don't like grinding in RPGs, this isn't for you, because you'll be doing a lot of it.”
- “Lots of grinding though to level your main troops and alts and to get better equipment.”
monetization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
28%
45%
The monetization aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users criticizing the overwhelming presence of microtransactions and aggressive advertising for in-game purchases, likening the experience to a cash grab. While some players feel that the microtransactions can be ignored with patience, others argue that the constant push for spending disrupts gameplay and creates a frustrating experience. Overall, the monetization strategy is seen as exploitative, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “While the game does contain microtransactions, they don't ruin the game as with some patience they can be completely ignored.”
- “You have what are basically in-app purchases so you can speed up timers.”
- “Once you actually get somewhere in the game you really hit a wall of waiting time periods and having so many in-app purchases thrown at you.”
- “No, the issue is that it is riddled with microtransactions (pay-to-not-wait) and the game aggressively pushes adverts for these in-game purchases into your face; like wading through a swamp while someone throws rolled up newspapers at you.”
- “It's impossible to find a playable game behind all of the constant microtransaction advertisements and the biased economy of resources designed to funnel you towards those transactions.”
- “I would have supported the developers and this game if it weren't for their insanely greedy and annoying cash grab mechanics.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the retro pixel aesthetic and creative character designs. While some find the art style enjoyable and fitting for the game's tone, others express disappointment, suggesting that it may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the visuals are seen as a highlight, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
- “The music and art style are great, the characters and enemies look fun, and I love the creativity of some elements.”
- “I really want to like this game -- the retro graphics are great, the music is good, and the gameplay is simple and fun.”
- “Dark Gnome's main strength lies in its comedic pixelated graphics, and its implementation of tried-and-true turn-based RPG progression, leveling, equipment, unlockable NPCs, and class system.”
- “I do like the art style, but for me it's a no.”
- “Not even worth trying for those who like the art style.”
- “I love the game's graphics, but that's about it.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay is criticized for its simplistic and uninteresting mechanics, with slow and repetitive combat that lacks depth and polish. Players find the waiting times and cash grab elements frustrating, detracting from the overall experience, despite some appreciation for the retro graphics and music. While there are occasional twists that add excitement, the core gameplay feels shallow and limited.
- “It's the constant curveballs and twists that the game throws at you, be it a new enemy or mechanic, that makes every accomplishment special.”
- “I really want to like this game -- the retro graphics are great, the music is good, and the gameplay is simple and fun.”
- “Bold and uninteresting mechanics with only armor and damage.”
- “Combat is ultra-slow and bland; it always plays the same way, characters can only have a single skill active at the same time, items are useless, and all mechanics are lacking, with a huge amount of unnecessary waiting times in an attempt to sell crystals.”
- “Waiting multiple minutes, even at lower levels - and this scales as you progress - for your characters to rest before you can launch is a bad mechanic, especially because they don't heal during this time; that's a totally separate and additional time sink layer.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its creativity and retro style, contributing positively to the overall atmosphere. However, some users noted issues such as the music not fading out smoothly and occasional bugs in the sprites, which detracted from the experience. Overall, while the music is appreciated, it is accompanied by some technical shortcomings.
- “The music and art style are great; the characters and enemies look fun, and I love the creativity of some elements.”
- “I really want to like this game -- the retro graphics are great, the music is good, and the gameplay is simple and fun.”
- “The music and art style are good, and I look forward to getting further along in the game.”
- “The game moves incredibly slowly, the sprites are buggy, and the music doesn't fade out smoothly.”
- “I managed to keep the music on for a day or two, and the sounds are decent...”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches, slow performance, and problematic audio transitions, which detract from the overall experience.
- “Too many glitches.”
- “The game moves incredibly slowly, the sprites are buggy, and the music doesn't fade out smoothly.”