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 6,242 reviews

story170 positive mentions

grinding406 negative mentions

The game features a wide variety of unique classes and subclasses, providing diverse gameplay experiences.
Combat is fast-paced and engaging, reminiscent of classic arcade beat 'em ups with flashy animations.
Regular updates and events keep the content fresh and rewarding for both new and returning players.

The fatigue system limits playtime, forcing players to create multiple characters to continue enjoying the game.
Many players experience account bans or trade restrictions for no apparent reason, leading to frustration.
The in-game store has a paywall that requires significant spending before players can access certain features.

story
786 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
74%
4%
The story in Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either forgettable or overly simplistic, often opting to skip dialogue due to its verbosity. While some appreciate the lore and character backstories, others criticize the narrative for being fragmented and lacking depth, leading to a feeling of disconnection from the protagonist's journey. Overall, the gameplay is often highlighted as more engaging than the story itself, with many players focusing on the action rather than the plot.
- “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 this game has is very unique and definitely rich in lore; it can definitely feel like reading a novel.”
- “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
680 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The gameplay of Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) is often praised for its fluid and responsive combat, engaging mechanics, and a diverse roster of classes that allow for various playstyles. However, many players express frustration with the game's grindy nature, confusing systems, and the fatigue point mechanic that limits playtime. While the core gameplay is enjoyable and reminiscent of classic beat 'em ups, the overall experience can be marred by poorly explained mechanics and a cluttered interface, leading to a mixed reception among players.
- “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 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).”
- “This game combines extremely tight fighting game mechanics with MMO ideas, and lots of pop culture references to achieve a new kind of depth that no other game can truly replicate.”
- “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.”
- “This is all nothing but a grind simulator with a mindless, button-mashing mini-game (the actual gameplay) tacked in.”
grinding
414 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
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 extensive hours required to progress. Overall, the game is characterized as grind-heavy, typical of many MMORPGs, and may not appeal to those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
- “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.”
- “It is a grinding machine, stay away from it, it's just another Korean MMORPG without end!!”
- “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
392 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
51%
8%
The graphics of the game are a mix of nostalgic pixel art and retro aesthetics, appealing to fans of classic 2D beat-em-ups, though they may feel outdated to modern gamers. While some players appreciate the charming visuals and flashy skill animations, others criticize the graphics as lackluster and inconsistent, particularly on contemporary hardware. Overall, the game's art style is seen as a significant draw, despite its limitations in resolution and modern graphical fidelity.
- “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 DFO 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 pixel art style is also second-to-none, with very flashy abilities and overall an extremely charming aesthetic.”
- “Secondly, 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
186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its diversity and quality, often describing it as one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. The soundtrack features a mix of genres, including rock and electronic elements, and is noted for enhancing the overall gameplay experience, evoking nostalgia and excitement during battles. While some players mention occasional repetitiveness in dungeon music, the majority agree that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The music is some of the best I have heard in a video game.”
- “The soundtrack is - and I can't overstate this - among the best soundtracks in the entire history of gaming.”
- “The combat is deep and polished, the story is interesting, and the music is phenomenal.”
- “With a slight positive note in design, sound effects (SFX) and soundtrack blends 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.”
- “No music, sound effects, etc. Nothing.”
monetization
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
60%
35%
The monetization in the game has been widely criticized for being predatory and heavily reliant on microtransactions, often leading to a pay-to-win environment. Players report misleading advertising, excessive in-game purchases, and a plethora of ads that detract from the experience. While some acknowledge that the game can be enjoyable, many feel that the monetization practices overshadow its potential, making it feel like a cash grab rather than a fair 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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
humor
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the quirky animal characters and ability tooltips amusing, while others feel the game's technical issues and support experience are more frustrating than funny. Some appreciate the community's funny content and streams, but others criticize the humor as inconsistent or grating. Overall, the game's comedic elements can be hit or miss, leaving players divided on their effectiveness.
- “A side-scrolling beat-em-up MMO with a serious funny bone.”
- “Game also makes some funny remarks in ability tooltips.”
- “The official anime is absolute garbage, but it's so funny to watch as a result.”
- “Not funny, feels like being trolled by support.”
stability
34 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 experienced significant issues with the buggy launcher and client, leading to frustration and account lockouts. While some players managed to enjoy the game despite these technical problems, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game requires urgent fixes to its 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.”
- “This is an insanely buggy piece of trash.”
- “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.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
45%
13%
The game boasts significant replayability due to regular updates, seasonal events, and a diverse array of character classes and subclasses, allowing players to explore various builds and playstyles. Many reviewers highlight the endless options for customization and character development, contributing to a long-lasting engagement with the game. Overall, it is frequently rated highly for its replay value, 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 and majestic.”
- “This game is replayable as a fridge, 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.”
- “The argument comes in to whether these policies in place limit the gameplay or artificially and unfairly increase the replayability of the game.”
- “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.”
character development
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
Character development in Dungeon Fighter Online receives mixed reviews; while players appreciate the unique and vibrant character designs and the ability to approach classes differently, many feel that the storyline lacks depth and emotional investment. Some reviewers highlight the need for enhancements to the narrative to better engage players, suggesting that the current character development does not fully capitalize on the game's potential. Overall, the game's character designs and subclasses are praised, but the narrative aspect leaves room for improvement.
- “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.”
- “Everything from NPC character design to even the loading pages for each area are vivid, and more than anything, unique.”
- “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, and the character development allowed players to use the same characters but take different approaches on what classes they wanted to be.”
- “The game has more challenging content than most other Korean MMOs and probably has one of the most unique character designs and skills in the game.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with many players finding the story boring and lacking depth, which diminishes character growth and emotional engagement. While some moments evoke genuine feelings, such as a character's realization of stakes, the overall narrative experience is seen as disappointing and fails to resonate with players. The charming environments and characters do little to compensate for the stunted emotional impact of the story.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “While I will not scream pay-to-win, it made me feel displeased.”
- “Regrettably, the narration lacks emotional resonance, character growth remains stunted, and pacing falters, resulting in an overall narrative experience that falls disappointingly short of its potential.”
- “The intro is text-heavy and overly emphasized on a boring storyline that does not really add to the gameplay.”
- “The story is not fun and boring, but the environments and characters are charming.”
- “The story is boring (pro: you can skip all the cutscenes).”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly at 60 fps on the Steam Deck with minimal power consumption, making it accessible for various setups. While it excels in performance, players are encouraged to test it on their own systems to ensure optimal experience, especially since it is designed to work effectively with keyboard controls. Overall, it is praised for its addictive gameplay and solid performance.
- “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.”

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7h Median play time

42h Average play time

4-16h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 80 analyzed playthroughs

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