Diehard Dungeon
- March 5, 2014
- Tricktale
- 31h median play time
Get on Steam"Diehard Dungeon" is a real-time roguelike game with a 16-bit aesthetic, where you traverse randomly-generated dungeons filled with enemies, traps, and treasure. Along the way, you can collect upgrades and abilities, and encounter the souls of other players in "Champion Mode." Each playthrough offers a unique experience with multiple outcomes.
PC
Windows
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- Fun and addictive gameplay reminiscent of classic Zelda games with roguelike elements.
- Challenging difficulty that keeps players engaged and encourages replayability.
- Unique mechanics like the companion chest and random power-ups add variety to each run.
- Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating at times.
- Lack of depth in weapon variety and upgrades can lead to repetitive gameplay.
- Visual clutter and poor enemy design can obscure important gameplay elements, leading to cheap deaths.
- gameplay52 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its roguelike mechanics and Zelda-like exploration, while others criticize it for being clunky, repetitive, and lacking variety in combat and enemies. Many noted that the controls can feel unresponsive and that the dynamic difficulty adjustment can detract from the experience, making it feel tedious at times. Overall, while some find enjoyment in the challenge and mechanics, others feel it falls short compared to other titles in the genre.
“The gameplay is very Zelda-like in how you move through dungeons and unlock new rooms while fighting various enemies.”
“Definately would recommend, extremely fun and gives a large amount of gameplay to discover new enemies and new perks, and on top of that, each journey is different, and sometimes a gamble for your life.”
“The basic gameplay is much like Zelda, control your character, do melee slashes at enemies, and don't get hit.”
“Gameplay is by far the worst offender; clunky is not enough to describe how bad it is. You have barely any range on your melee attack, which deals a pathetic 3 damage, while most enemies have 10+ HP.”
“The gameplay doesn’t particularly change much outside of the included minigame, which is essentially Pac-Man.”
“As a result of the self-adjusting difficulty, together with the repetitive gameplay and the bad graphics, I lost all my motivation to play after winning the game once.”
- graphics45 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the retro pixel art style and its nostalgic appeal, while others criticize it as dull and uninspired. Many find the unique art style cute and fitting for the gameplay, though there are complaints about a lack of diversity in environments and enemy designs. Overall, the graphics are deemed sufficient for a roguelike experience, but they may not impress those seeking modern visuals.
“The art style is so cool, and the gameplay is fast.”
“If you enjoy SNES-style action RPG graphics, then you'll love this.”
“Graphics are stylized well, very pretty lighting while keeping a retro look.”
“In my honest opinion, there isn’t much as far as enemy design that really makes up for the sub-par graphics.”
“Diehard Dungeon is simple, clunky, and repetitive with one of the ugliest pixel art graphics I've seen for a long time (and trust me, I've seen a lot).”
“The final negatives about Diehard Dungeon are the bland graphics, uninspired dungeon design, and the completely 'meh' soundtrack.”
- music21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the dungeon experience, particularly in late-game areas. However, many find it repetitive and forgettable, with a few noting that while it serves its purpose, it lacks standout tracks that would be memorable outside of gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered decent but not exceptional, contributing to the game's ambiance without leaving a lasting impression.
“Only redeemable part of this game is its soundtrack, which is good; some tracks are just okay, and some are really good, especially the tracks in the later game areas.”
“The music is atmospheric and pairs well with the dungeon atmosphere.”
“The art and the sound/music are consistent and done decently well.”
“Diehard Dungeon is a decent game that stays difficult with gameplay reminiscent of Zelda, though the art style isn't amazing and the music is forgettable; it's worth its price for what you can get out of it.”
“- I don't remember the music at all.”
“The final negatives about Diehard Dungeon are the bland graphics, uninspired dungeon design, and the completely 'meh' soundtrack.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable and challenging with features like difficulty scaling and procedurally generated dungeons that enhance replay value, others feel that its simplicity and lack of additional content limit its long-term appeal. Mini-games and global scoreboards contribute positively, but many reviewers note that the replayability could be significantly improved.
“Tons of fun and a lot of replay value with tough and challenging gameplay.”
“However, it does make up for it due to replayability and the difficulty scaling system that it has.”
“There's a good amount of challenge and replayability to the game.”
“The game is blatantly simple, which unfortunately, kills any replayability it might have had.”
“The replay value is clearly a little weak here.”
“Just not much replayability....”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and clarity, with many reviewers noting that it feels vague and underdeveloped, akin to a top-down Zelda without a compelling narrative. While some appreciate the surprises and art style, the absence of a meaningful plot detracts from the overall experience, leaving players feeling disconnected from the game's themes and objectives. For those who prioritize gameplay over story, it may still be enjoyable, but the consensus is that a stronger narrative could have significantly enhanced the game.
“It has a nice way of telling the story and there are always surprises.”
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Kind of like a top down Zelda with a vague objective and no story.”
“The only reason I don't give this a higher score is because it doesn't have much of a story.”
“For one, there really isn't any story to speak of here.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its ability to create a tense and immersive experience, enhanced by well-composed music and effective lighting that evokes a sense of dread and confusion. While some players find the atmosphere contributes to frustration and rage quitting, others appreciate its depth and the variety of enigmatic enemies that heighten the overall tension. The game's retro graphics and use of muted colors further reinforce its foreboding ambiance without relying on excessive gore.
“The music is atmospheric and pairs well with the dungeon atmosphere.”
“It's one of the genres that makes you annoyed after a while because you lose every time, and the atmosphere just helps you rage quit more.”
“The atmosphere is lit well enough and creepy, giving a sense that you really don't know how to get out.”
“Hammerwatch tackles 'retro' in a far superior graphical manner, and Darkest Dungeon utilizes black, brown, and grey to create a foreboding atmosphere.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game is often tedious and frustrating, with many achievements requiring excessive time and effort, particularly due to RNG elements. Players find the mechanics designed to prolong gameplay rather than enhance enjoyment, leading to a clunky experience that detracts from the overall fun. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback, making the game feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge.
“Unfortunately, some of the achievements require a lot of grinding and good luck to get certain combinations of things in a level to even allow you to progress on these grinding achievements.”
“Another reviewer described the game as 'tedious' and I can’t help but agree; it’s not a fun timesink, it’s not a game one can leave running in the background like a clicker game, but it requires the player’s undivided attention to open the exit to the current room.”
“As to the 'tedious' part; well, many of the game's mechanics seem to be based around wasting as much of the player's time as possible.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be genuinely funny, highlighting its effective use of humor throughout the gameplay.
“This game had me laughing out loud with its clever jokes and witty dialogue.”
“The humor is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
“I love how the game incorporates absurd situations that keep the gameplay light-hearted and fun.”
