Dark Gnome

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

52%

Audience ScoreBased on 65 reviews

music3 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features charming pixelated graphics and a fun retro RPG style that many players enjoy.
The gameplay offers a unique blend of chill and competitive elements, making it engaging for players who appreciate grinding and character progression.
Despite the presence of microtransactions, some players find the game enjoyable and believe it can be played without spending money if approached with patience.

The game is plagued by excessive wait times for character healing and progression, which can be frustrating and disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Microtransactions are heavily pushed throughout the game, leading to a perception of it being a pay-to-win experience rather than a truly free-to-play game.
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 underlying narrative and quest structure. However, frustrations arise from the game's mechanics, such as lengthy healing times and equipment durability issues, which detract from the overall experience and pacing of the story progression. While the storyline has potential, the grind and wait times 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 in RPGs may find it overwhelming. Overall, the game caters well to fans of grinding, providing a balance of challenge and engagement.
- “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 argue that the microtransactions can be ignored with patience, the general consensus is that the constant push for paid elements detracts significantly from the gameplay experience.
- “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, others express disappointment, suggesting it may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the visuals are noted 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 variety. Players find the waiting times for character recovery frustrating, and while the game has a solid foundation, it suffers from shallow design and monetization issues that detract from the overall experience. Despite some appealing retro graphics and music, the gameplay ultimately feels limited and unpolished.
- “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 abrupt transitions and bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, while the music is appreciated, it is accompanied by mixed feedback regarding its execution.
- “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 while the sounds are decent, they quickly become repetitive.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches, slow performance, and problematic sprite animations, which detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the music transitions are abrupt, further highlighting the game's instability.
- “Too many glitches.”
- “The game moves incredibly slowly, the sprites are buggy, and the music doesn't fade out smoothly.”

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