Deponia Doomsday
- March 30, 2016
- Daedalic Entertainment
- 13h median play time
“Deponia” is full of humor, funny puzzle-solving, and with a setting that I thoroughly enjoy in fiction. For anyone who likes point-and-click adventures, this series is one for you.
In Deponia Doomsday, Rufus must prevent the destruction of Deponia and his mustache-free face after awaking from a disturbing nightmare. With the help of a temporal scientist, he discovers time-anomalies caused by careless future time travelers. As the last surviving Deponian, Rufus's mission is to save his planet and restore his smooth chin.
Reviews
- The game features the same charming humor and quirky characters that fans loved in the original trilogy.
- The puzzles are engaging and often require creative thinking, making for a satisfying gameplay experience.
- The art style and voice acting are top-notch, maintaining the high production quality of the series.
- The story can be convoluted and confusing, especially with the time travel mechanics, which may frustrate players.
- Many players felt the ending was disappointing and did not provide the closure they were hoping for after the original trilogy.
- Some puzzles are overly simplistic or rely on trial and error, detracting from the overall challenge of the game.
- story586 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Deponia Doomsday" is a complex and often convoluted continuation of the beloved trilogy, heavily centered around time travel and paradoxes, which some players found confusing and unsatisfying. While it attempts to provide closure and explore character backstories, many fans felt it detracted from the original narrative's impact, leading to mixed feelings about its necessity and execution. Overall, the game retains the series' humor and charm, but its plot twists and reliance on time travel mechanics left some players feeling frustrated and disappointed.
“Set in a vibrant, dystopian world, you’ll navigate bizarre scenarios and solve inventive puzzles as you follow a comedic storyline.”
“The story is even a little bit unique and works really well in the game's world (in my opinion).”
“A fitting conclusion for the story of our dear Rufus.”
“The whole story from game 1 to this game has been so bad.”
“The story is a bit erratic and messy but still, somehow, manages to entertain and engage you.”
“The plot centers around a confusing time paradox, creating progressively deeper and more bewildering plot holes with each passing scene, from which it fails to recover.”
- humor195 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in "Deponia Doomsday" is a mix of quirky, dark, and absurd elements that fans of the series will likely appreciate, though some find it less effective than in previous installments. While many reviewers enjoyed the witty dialogues and comedic situations, others criticized the reliance on repetitive or meta humor, leading to a perception of inconsistency in quality. Overall, the game retains the signature charm of the Deponia series, offering both laugh-out-loud moments and some cringe-worthy jokes, making it a hit or miss depending on individual taste.
“Deponia Doomsday continues the quirky adventure series with its signature blend of humor and puzzling.”
“The puzzles, humor, and characters are a throwback to the previous games.”
“The humor, the pacing, and the puzzles—everything is spot on.”
“Humor is dated even for 2016, and most of the dialogue is just quirky one-liners that are tedious to click through, not funny.”
“It's not fun and it's not funny; if anything, the finale shatters the post-apocalyptic tone of the first three games in favor of disconnected silliness.”
“The end of Deponia Doomsday is so unsatisfying it's not funny anymore.”
- gameplay120 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Deponia Doomsday" retains the classic point-and-click mechanics familiar to the series, featuring a mix of puzzles and minigames, though it introduces some controversial new elements like time travel and rapid-click sequences that many players found tedious. While some appreciated the creative puzzles and humor, others criticized the gameplay for being repetitive and less engaging compared to earlier titles, with a significant number of players expressing disappointment in the overall execution and story integration. Overall, the game offers a lengthy experience with around 12-16 hours of playtime, but opinions on its mechanics and enjoyment vary widely.
“The gameplay itself is quite enjoyable, but Daedalic really needs to put some effort into making their game actually playable.”
“The game features classic point-and-click gameplay, having you collect objects, talk to characters, and somehow figure out a way to combine everything in order to solve problems.”
“The gameplay is similar to the previous games, though it is easier.”
“In terms of the game mechanics itself, Deponia Doomsday often requires the player to use their brain to solve its puzzles.”
“The time-traveling puzzle mechanic is incredibly annoying.”
“Unfortunately, the use of time loops also makes for repetitive gameplay, especially if you're not good at solving the puzzles.”
- music70 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its cinematic quality and the nostalgic elements drawn from previous installments, while others noted a lack of new compositions and the absence of beloved "huzzah" songs. Overall, the soundtrack is described as solid and enjoyable, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere, though some players expressed disappointment over the limited variety and the removal of certain musical interludes. Despite these critiques, the music remains a highlight for many, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
“My favorite Deponia game, super epic music in the menu.”
“The music is composed with unity, with attention to several melodic themes that get replayed with orchestrational variation throughout the soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack is great, characters are equally lovable and hateable, and on top of it, there are beautiful, hand-drawn graphics.”
“The music is a mixed bag: for the most part it feels more cinematic, like it was a bigger thing than other installments, but at the same time it doesn't portray as much as the first or third games.”
“The only thing veterans of the series will notice is that the cutscene songs have been removed except in the introduction.”
“It is sad that there is only one huzzah song this time.”
- graphics49 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Deponia Doomsday" are widely praised for their colorful, hand-drawn art style and smooth animations, maintaining the charm of previous titles in the series. Reviewers highlight the engaging visuals, excellent voice acting, and a humorous narrative that enhance the overall experience, although some note that the artwork is occasionally overshadowed by frustrating puzzle design. Overall, the game is recognized for its beautiful presentation and vibrant atmosphere, making it a standout in the point-and-click genre.
“The game’s colorful art style and witty dialogue create an engaging experience for fans of point-and-click adventures.”
“The art style is lovely and the game performs to perfection on a technical level.”
“The graphics in the Deponia series are kind of cartoony, which is a very positive thing for the reason it makes the game stand the test of time unlike other point-and-click adventures.”
“Everything in the Deponia series, from over-the-top cartoony characters, humor, art style, childish plots, and completely unrealistic action scenes and events, points out to everything except a sad end where the protagonist realizes the futility of all his actions.”
“Doomsday’s graphics retain the charm that previous titles in the series created so well.”
- emotional27 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming moments to profound sadness, particularly through character development and impactful storytelling. Players describe it as an emotional rollercoaster, filled with touching scenes and a poignant exploration of themes like grief and hope, ultimately leading to a bittersweet conclusion that leaves a lasting impression. Many reviewers express that the game not only made them cry but also provided a sense of accomplishment and closure, solidifying its place as a memorable and emotionally resonant experience.
“Yet, because of how all these characters were built up for us over multiple games, we were emotionally invested for that glorious ending: getting the girl, the glory, and the dream of Elysium all in one.”
“But with Doomsday, it also comes the most emotionally resonant message that Deponia has ever offered: it's a story about the five stages of grief, and a story about the power of hope.”
“After the end, I even shed a tear, not only because the ending and the story as a whole was very well written but also as it meant that this was probably the last time we visit Deponia and follow Rufus and his companions on their adventures.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the extensive backtracking and time loops required to achieve 100% completion. While some enjoyed the humor and story, they noted that the gameplay often became exhausting, especially with certain achievements like the "1001 jackalopes" requiring excessive grinding. Overall, players recommend using a walkthrough to alleviate some of the tedium, as the game can feel overly drawn out at times.
“A lot of backtracking and grinding if you want 100% achievements.”
“You will need a second life for grinding.”
“Some puzzles are far more challenging, some puzzles are just tedious due to forced 'loops'; nearly half the puzzles are as easy as the previous games, but to be honest it's the story and the way it's told that makes Deponia games good and this last edition, unfortunately, is not.”
- stability11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its numerous stability issues, including frequent crashes, disruptive glitches, and unresponsive controls, which significantly hinder the gameplay experience. While some players noted minor glitches that were manageable, many reported severe bugs that rendered the game nearly unplayable, leading to frustration among users. Overall, the stability of the game is a major concern, overshadowing its positive aspects.
“Great game, but really buggy and constantly crashes.”
“Not only the story sucks, it's still buggy. I don't know how many months since it came out, but this game doesn't work properly. The mini games get stuck, controls get stuck, characters disappear, dialogues get broken, and the game stalls.”
“Lots of people have reported that the game is buggy and that it makes the game unplayable.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its artwork and animation, contributing to an engaging experience. However, some players feel it lacks the humor and edge of previous titles, resulting in a less impactful atmosphere. While the music and writing are noted as strong elements, there are mixed feelings about the overall tone and emotional engagement compared to earlier installments.
“The atmosphere in the game was good; I enjoyed the music and the artwork of the game.”
“Awesome art style, animation, and atmosphere.”
“The writing, the characters, the atmosphere... it's all there.”
“It seems doomsday has toned back a little on some of the punchier humor that was the trademark in earlier titles, and while I wasn’t particularly fond of that humor myself, I did find that the game lacked an atmosphere and edge that it had previously held quite well due to the presence of its apolitical stance.”
“It's not a major element in the dialogues but frequent enough to have annoyed me and soiled some of the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere has a larger variety; there are more backgrounds with both new and recurring themes.”
- character development8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Character development in the latest installment of the Deponia series has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the culmination of Rufus' journey and the additional context provided, others feel that it disregards the growth established in previous games. The game introduces new characters and insights, but some critics argue it lacks the urgency and coherence of the original trilogy, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the character development is seen as both a highlight and a point of contention, depending on players' familiarity with the series.
“Rufus finally showed a bit of positive character development.”
“It was a perfect culmination of the trilogy and a perfect ending for Rufus' journey and character development.”
“They ignored any character development that occurred throughout the previous games and just went for the 'kill'.”
“It is filled with contrivances, time travel, flashbacks, and events taking place prior to previous Deponia games, and it makes sure to scrub any character development that might have been observable in the third Deponia game out of existence.”
“If you've played the previous games in the franchise, you'll know that Goodbye Deponia ended with some pretty significant character development on Rufus' part.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is viewed as limited compared to other titles in the Deponia series, with some players noting its repetitive nature and complex story as deterrents. While there are quirky achievements that offer some incentive for replay, the daunting tasks and lack of immediate replay value leave many feeling it won't be revisited soon. However, some still appreciate the potential for nostalgia-driven returns in the long term.
“Had this been the end, I would've rated it positively and might even have kept it for replay value.”
“Which reminds me: I think there's some replay value for all the Deponia games, but especially this one, because the story was just hard to follow the first time around!”
“They are very replayable... this one, however, because it's so repetitive, I cannot see myself wanting to replay at all anytime soon.”
“I don't feel this game has as much replay value as the other games.”
“Love the straightforward and quirky achievements that Deponia games provide for a little replayability, but the inclusion of 'grind 243 combinations' was daunting (mistakes would’ve been devastating), but there’s a guide that hilariously shuts it down.”
“[h1]Replayability:[/h1] [b]Low (well it's an adventure game)[/b]”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has sparked mixed opinions among users, with some labeling it a cash grab due to its perceived lack of necessity and repetitive endings. Others argue that it serves a purpose in continuing the narrative established by the original trilogy, though the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding its value and originality.
“This one is just a cash grab, no doubt from the plot if you bought the game.”
“This game does not need to exist and feels like a cash grab and a sort of revenge for the backlash of the ending of the third game.”
“Creating two games with the same ending while advertising it as 'different' is unacceptable.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features impressive art and performs well, with users noting that it runs smoothly overall.
“The art is great this time around, and it runs smoothly.”
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I love how the developers focused on optimization; it really enhances the overall experience.”
Critic Reviews
Deponia Doomsday Review (PC)
Deponia Doomsday is beautiful, fun, crude, and stupid.
70%Deponia (Nintendo Switch)
“Deponia” is full of humor, funny puzzle-solving, and with a setting that I thoroughly enjoy in fiction. For anyone who likes point-and-click adventures, this series is one for you.
95%Deponia Doomsday Review
Overall, Deponia Doomsday is an expertly-crafted point and click that holds itself to pretty high standards. The production value is great, and Daedalic has created a wonderful response to fan criticism.
80%