Dungeon Fighter Online

About

"Dungeon Fighter Online is a 2D side-scrolling action MORPG with fast-paced gameplay and unique retro-style graphics, inspired by classic arcade games. Experience dazzling hit effects and complex combos, and customize your character with various avatars and dyes. Join the adventure and become the hero of an epic story with a variety of characters!"

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,121 reviews

story85 positive mentions

grinding203 negative mentions

Dungeon Fighter Online offers a nostalgic arcade-style beat 'em up experience with a wide variety of unique classes and subclasses.
The combat is fast-paced and engaging, allowing for flashy combos and satisfying gameplay.
Regular updates and events keep the game fresh and provide opportunities for players to earn rewards.

The fatigue system limits playtime, forcing players to create multiple characters to continue enjoying the game.
Many players experience account restrictions or bans for no apparent reason, leading to frustration and a lack of trust in the game's management.
The monetization model is heavily criticized for being pay-to-win, with essential items and upgrades locked behind a paywall.

story
393 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
75%
4%
The story in Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) is often described as mediocre and convoluted, with many players finding it easy to skip through the dialogue and quests due to its text-heavy nature and lack of engaging narrative. While some appreciate the lore and character backstories, others criticize the storyline for being rushed, generic, or overly simplistic, leading to a focus on gameplay rather than narrative depth. Despite these criticisms, the game features visually appealing cutscenes and a nostalgic charm that resonates with fans of classic side-scrolling beat-em-ups, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over story.
- “If you love pixel animation and a powerful story that is still going, I highly recommend.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the story is surprisingly solid for an MMO, and the pixel art is absolutely gorgeous.”
- “The story is fantastic when you actually pay attention, and the gameplay is amazing.”
- “Dfo's storyline unfortunately is the highest form of disappointment as it struggles to hold players in its narrative grasp.”
- “The protagonist's backstory, outlined in the opening, fails to undergo meaningful development, leaving them stagnant throughout the adventure.”
- “The story makes no sense and is all over the place and they continue to add to the story; I can't even think of a basic summary of it because it's so nonsensical.”
gameplay
340 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The gameplay of Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) is widely praised for its fluid and responsive combat, reminiscent of classic beat 'em up games, with a diverse roster of characters and classes that offer unique mechanics and playstyles. However, many players express frustration with the game's grindy nature, convoluted systems, and the fatigue point mechanic that limits playtime, which can detract from the overall experience. While the core gameplay is engaging and enjoyable, the surrounding mechanics and user interface often leave players feeling overwhelmed and confused.
- “The gameplay is where DFO truly shines—combat feels fluid and responsive, with tight controls that make chaining combos and unleashing special abilities a satisfying experience.”
- “The gameplay itself is extremely fun, the classes feel like most of them flow really well, and it's just really satisfying to shred the enemies over and over.”
- “Dfo's gameplay will eat away at your hours and keep you coming back for more.”
- “It feels like the game has not evolved since its inception, which would be fine if it succeeded in modern gameplay that compensates for that lack of visual flair.”
- “Now the game is a cash cow of exploitative addiction mechanics, wheels and flashing lights everywhere, no difficulty in sight as NPCs clutter the battlefield robbing you of any real game experience, leaving you wondering when the gameplay is actually going to begin.”
- “The gameplay loop of this MMO is, in my opinion, easily the best that exists on the market (which is crazy because this game is somewhere close to 20 years old).”
grinding
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and time-consuming, especially at endgame where RNG heavily influences gear acquisition. While some players find enjoyment in the grind and appreciate the combat mechanics, others express frustration over the repetitive nature and the potential for pay-to-win elements. Overall, the game is characterized as grind-heavy, typical of many MMORPGs, and may not appeal to those who dislike extensive farming for gear and resources.
- “The game itself is mostly not grindy.”
- “To go through normal dungeons and just reach cap, there's no grinding for gear involved since story quests pretty much hand you everything you need.”
- “Pros: fun gameplay, diverse classes, good PvP (most of the time), good bosses, not very grindy, it's free and Neople is very generous.”
- “The current endgame content usually requires tediously long hours of grinding for 1 specific thing at a time over the span of a month...and that's just 1 thing.”
- “End game gets really grindy though.”
- “If you think you've played an MMO where the grinding was the worst, and thought 'nothing could be worse than this', you are sadly wrong.”
graphics
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The graphics of the game are a mix of nostalgia and dated aesthetics, primarily featuring charming pixel art that appeals to fans of retro-style games. While many players appreciate the vibrant animations and unique art style, some criticize the graphics as lackluster and outdated compared to modern standards. Overall, the visuals evoke fond memories of classic arcade games, but they may not satisfy those seeking cutting-edge graphics.
- “The artwork and animations are absolutely beautiful for a 2D/2.5D game like this, and is one of the reasons I picked it up in the first place.”
- “As Dungeon Fighter Online masterfully evokes the nostalgia of 90's 2D beat-em-up classics through its pixel art graphics, it weaves a rich tapestry of visuals that pays homage to the genre's golden age.”
- “The graphics are wonderfully colorful and fun along with the gameplay being as fast and action-packed as I recall from the Nexon days.”
- “The graphics are awful on today's computers.”
- “Video scaling leaves a lot to be desired; graphics desperately need higher resolutions for modern-day gaming.”
- “The graphics give a headache.”
music
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its diversity and quality, often describing it as one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. The blend of genres, including rock, techno, and orchestral elements, enhances the gameplay experience, creating an engaging atmosphere that resonates with players. While some mention occasional repetitiveness in tracks during repeated dungeon runs, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a strong emotional connection to the soundtrack.
- “The music is some of the best I have heard in a video game.”
- “The soundtrack is probably one of the best among other MMORPGs.”
- “The music and artwork are incredible, and despite the art being pixelated, it's some of the best I've seen.”
- “With a slight positive note in design, sound effects (SFX) and soundtrack blend a varied chord, blending seamlessly in some scenes while leaving a jarred dissonance in others.”
- “There are better 2D games out there; the graphics are very old, like Street Fighter 2 16-bit graphics, and the stages are very repetitive with music that does not fit the map at all, which was the reason I had YouTube playing music in the background.”
- “Nothing too terribly remarkable, as far as MMORPG soundtracks go, but it certainly won't drive you crazy.”
monetization
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
57%
35%
The monetization in this game has been widely criticized for being predatory and heavily reliant on microtransactions, often leading to a pay-to-win environment. Players report aggressive advertising, misleading promotions, and a system that can lock accounts after purchases, creating a frustrating experience. While some acknowledge the game's fun aspects, many feel that the monetization detracts significantly from overall enjoyment, making it feel like a cash grab rather than a balanced free-to-play model.
- “Great job Neople, please continue to improve the consumer-friendly monetization and awesome gameplay DFO has to offer!”
- “Believe me, the monetization of this game is among the most fair free-to-play in gaming, and the rewards for events and just playing will get you to the endgame.”
- “The most important aspect to note here is that Neople's small international team quite readily offers the more mild contract microtransactions through events; it is not unusual for an active player to accumulate hundreds of days worth in contracts after good events.”
- “Intentionally misleading advertising of time exclusive items as well as a 'privilege' system that requires you to spend hundreds of dollars in order to benefit from.”
- “To be honest, it seems a lot like a really well made predatory cash grab game with a free to play model added on top.”
- “Useless content will force you to spend thousands of dollars on microtransactions just to have your gear score equal to other pay-to-win players.”
humor
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
13%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of genuinely funny moments and frustrating experiences, with players finding amusement in quirky character designs, ability tooltips, and community content. However, many also express that the game's technical issues and support experiences can detract from the humor, leading to a sense of being trolled rather than entertained. Overall, while some players appreciate the comedic elements, others feel the humor can be hit-or-miss, often overshadowed by gameplay frustrations.
- “A side-scrolling beat-em-up MMO with a serious funny bone.”
- “Game also makes some funny remarks in ability tooltips.”
- “With active streams and funny videos they do for the community.”
- “Not funny, feels like being trolled by support.”
- “The jokes fall flat and often feel forced.”
- “Attempts at humor are cringeworthy and miss the mark.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of glitches affecting sound effects, account access, and overall functionality. Many users experience significant issues with the launcher and client, leading to account blocks and installation problems, while others report persistent in-game bugs that detract from the experience. Despite these technical difficulties, some players still find enjoyment in the gameplay itself, though they express a strong desire for urgent fixes to the stability issues.
- “The client is buggy and not working properly, and blocking accounts due to a buggy client is low. Here is hoping they deal with this extremely problematic system soon.”
- “Overall, fun, enjoyable, classes are awesome, combat is tight, a bit repetitive, but fun. However, this game has so many glitches that need to get fixed immediately.”
- “Would love to play, but it is buggy beyond belief.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The game boasts high replayability due to regular updates, seasonal events, and a diverse range of character classes and subclasses, allowing players to explore various builds and playstyles. Many reviewers highlight the endless options for customization and gameplay, contributing to a strong long-term engagement. Overall, the replay value is consistently rated highly, with scores around 8 to 9 out of 10.
- “Regular updates and events keep the content fresh and engaging, ensuring long-term replayability.”
- “Tons of replayability, lots of classes and perks to leveling multiple characters.”
- “With about 7+ classes and many sub-classes to later pick among them, there are endless options and replayability for playing this beautiful RPG with combat like a Greek swan; flawless & majestic.”
- “Overall, this is an 8/10 game simply because it's a beat 'em up game that has many classes and builds to choose from that all play differently in terms of gameplay, but this game also adds major replay value.”
- “Subclasses for every character make them all different, resulting in huge replay value.”
- “This game is replayable as a fridge; it has seasonal, unique, and special events, different character classes, and you can also customize your character by completing tasks in-game (events) or spending money on it.”
character development
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Character development in Dungeon Fighter Online receives mixed reviews; while players appreciate the unique and vibrant character designs and subclasses, many feel that the storyline lacks depth and emotional investment. Some users express frustration with the overall character development, suggesting that it fails to engage players meaningfully. However, the game's lore and recent enhancements have been noted as positive aspects that allow for varied gameplay experiences.
- “As a timeless title, Dungeon Fighter Online has a foundation that could be elevated with enhancements, particularly by introducing separate difficulty levels for veterans and elevating its storyline and character development.”
- “The lore was vast and the character development helped allow the players to all use the same characters but take different approaches on what classes they wanted to be.”
- “Great character designs and subclasses, and the recent changes over the past year or so have made it a real force to be reckoned with if you want to be casual or hardcore in it.”
- “As a timeless title, Dungeon Fighter Online has a foundation that could be elevated with enhancements, particularly by introducing separate difficulty levels for veterans and improving its storyline and character development.”
- “The lore was vast, but the character development felt lacking, making it difficult for players to connect with their characters despite having the option to choose different classes.”
- “The game has more challenging content than most other Korean MMOs, but the character development does not match the uniqueness of its character designs and skills.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with a boring storyline and stunted character growth that fail to engage players. While some environments and characters are charming, the overall narrative experience is disappointing, lacking emotional resonance and meaningful connections. A rare moment of emotional impact is noted, but it is overshadowed by the game's pacing and narrative shortcomings.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “The story is not fun and feels boring, although the environments and characters are charming.”
- “The introduction is text-heavy and overly focused on a dull storyline that doesn't really enhance the gameplay.”
- “The story is boring, but at least you can skip all the cutscenes.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly at 60 fps on the Steam Deck with minimal power consumption, and it performs effectively with keyboard controls despite its action-oriented gameplay. Players appreciate the solid performance and addictive gameplay, though individual experiences may vary based on hardware.
- “Performance-wise, it plays at a solid 60 fps (at only around 9-11w of power!) on the Steam Deck with out-of-the-box settings.”
- “Changeable with hotkey settings, but overall, I recommend it for its great performance and addictive style of game!”
- “You get into a dungeon, and wipe most rooms with a single skill use regardless of how optimized your characters are.”
- “Every computer is different, so properly assess the performance for yourself before deciding to stay.”
- “I know that sounds a little weird, being that it's an action combo-oriented game and I just suggested playing it with the keyboard, but it was actually optimized to work with a keyboard.”