Dum-Dum

About

Dum-Dum is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Hogo Company and was released on September 19, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

"Dum-Dum is a single-player Simulation/Adventure game set in 1985, where you play as an idiot tasked to uncover the mystery of Hogo OS's disappearance. Experience a full operating system simulation while solving puzzles and deciphering clues to prevent an evil mastermind's takeover. Immerse yourself in this engaging plot and relive the era of 1980s computing technology."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 39 reviews

story10 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and immersive experience by simulating an old-school operating system, allowing players to interact with various applications and mini-games.
The puzzles are generally intuitive and rewarding, with a built-in hint system that helps players progress without feeling overly frustrated.
The quirky story and humor, combined with a wealth of content and side quests, keep players engaged and entertained throughout the game.

Some puzzles can feel vague or overly long, leading to moments of frustration, especially when the game doesn't clearly indicate how to progress.
The character interactions can be condescending and repetitive, which may detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
The game has a limited window management system that can hinder gameplay, as players are restricted to only three open windows at a time.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The game's story is a quirky cyber-espionage narrative centered around unraveling a conspiracy within a tech company, which many players found engaging and well-developed. While the main plot is entertaining, some side elements feel underwhelming, and the pacing can be uneven, particularly with a nagging quest giver. Overall, the combination of humor and a cohesive storyline, along with numerous side quests and hidden content, keeps players invested, though some feel it lacks the emotional depth of similar titles.
- “This attention to detail extended to the story as well, a quirky cyber-espionage narrative about unraveling the secrets of a mysterious tech company that was way more fleshed out than I expected.”
- “The main story of the game, as you'll discover, is a conspiracy within the company that manufactured the OS and accompanying computer that you need to figure out as you maintain contact with and help the employees at the company.”
- “Combining absurdist humor with a cohesive story is something I haven't seen in a while; this game is a must buy!”
- “Unfortunately, what keeps the game down is how solving a puzzle may not progress the story.”
- “Honestly, the worst part about the game is that it's too easy to compare it to Hypnospace Outlaw, which tells a story with so much more heart and empathy that it's not even funny.”
- “The main quest giver is very condescending and nagging at times, which was fine later on and funny at first, but I think the dialogue could have been seriously trimmed down.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of absurdist gags and clever writing, with moments that can elicit genuine laughter. However, some players feel that the humor becomes repetitive and overly reliant on scripted dialogue, which can detract from the player's sense of creativity. While the main quest giver's condescending tone is initially amusing, it may become tiresome as the game progresses, leading to a desire for more concise dialogue and character development.
- “A little repetitive with its puzzles, but genuinely laugh-out-loud funny at times!”
- “I'd recommend skimming at least the game-specific text files, they're pretty funny, especially the history of Hogo.”
- “This game was one of those rare diamonds in the rough that had me laughing out loud at certain moments.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The gameplay is characterized by a direct and immersive experience, free from intermediary mechanics, allowing players to engage deeply with the content. While the puzzles are straightforward, the rich and intricate fake operating system offers substantial depth, rewarding exploration and careful observation.
- “Other games use the computer as a proxy for an experience you cannot actually have, but in a browser game, there are no character models or mechanics between you and the experience.”
- “Fortunately, the straightforwardness of the gameplay puzzles is balanced out by the incredible depth of the fake operating system as a whole, which is jam-packed with content and does a great job of rewarding exploration and careful observation.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
- “The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “There are numerous bugs and glitches that disrupt the flow of gameplay, making it frustrating to play.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some mini-games and puzzles can be tedious and unintuitive, the overall gameplay remains enjoyable. Many users appreciate the ability to pause or step away without losing progress, which helps mitigate the frustration of repetitive tasks.
- “I found myself closing the game periodically when it felt like a good stopping point, but I didn't want to risk certain longer or more tedious mini-games or puzzles with multiple stages, so in one case, I left the game running instead of quitting.”
- “There were a few tedious puzzles and moments of unintuitiveness that made the grinding feel excessive.”
- “The grinding aspect of the game became a chore, making it hard to stay engaged with the overall experience.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The graphics are well-received for their retro aesthetic, which enhances the overall enjoyment of the game, even for those who may not typically favor this style. While some characters may be overly chatty and the puzzles simplistic, the visuals effectively complement the game's theme.
- “The graphics are stunning and really bring the game world to life.”
- “The art style is beautifully crafted, making every scene a visual delight.”
- “The vibrant colors and detailed environments create an immersive experience.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The music in the game enhances immersion, particularly in a quiet environment, as it complements the nostalgic feel of an old operating system. While the music and animation programs are basic, they contribute to the overall atmosphere without being overly distracting.
- “There is even a basic box, music, and animation programs.”
- “If you don't have music in the background, and there are not many interruptions around to distract you, you might find yourself quite immersed in the game, as it does in fact look and behave like an old operating system.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “There are only a few tracks, and they quickly become monotonous, leading to a dull gaming experience.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the game encourages them to engage in unconventional thinking without feeling belittled or foolish, fostering a positive emotional experience.
- “The game asked me to think like an idiot, but never made me feel like one.”