Dungeon Keeper Gold™

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 204 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Dungeon Keeper Gold™ Game Cover
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Dungeon Keeper Gold™ is a strategy game that lets you manage a dungeon filled with malevolent creatures. Your goal is to turn them into powerful forces of destruction and defend your dungeon from enemy invasions. With its dark humor, a variety of creatures, and addictive gameplay, you'll enjoy building and protecting your own sinister lair.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 204 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Dungeon Keeper is a timeless classic that offers a unique and enjoyable gameplay experience, allowing players to embrace their inner villain while managing a dungeon filled with quirky creatures.
  • The game is filled with dark humor and engaging mechanics, such as creature possession and resource management, which keep players entertained for hours.
  • The community-driven mod, KeeperFX, significantly enhances the game by improving graphics, fixing bugs, and adding new content, making it a must-have for an optimal experience.
  • The game suffers from outdated graphics and clunky controls, which can be frustrating for new players unfamiliar with its mechanics.
  • There are persistent technical issues, such as mouse sensitivity problems and crashes, particularly when running the game without the KeeperFX mod.
  • While the original game is beloved, many players feel it lacks modern quality-of-life features, making it less accessible to those used to contemporary gaming standards.
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of this classic DOS game are widely regarded as outdated and rough by modern standards, often requiring enhancements through mods like KeeperFX for improved visuals and gameplay experience. While the original graphics may evoke nostalgia for some players, many recommend using these upgrades to better enjoy the game, as the unmodified version can be challenging to navigate due to poor visibility and pixelation. Overall, while the visuals may not hold up today, the gameplay remains engaging and beloved by fans.

    • “Graphics are rough by today's standards, but the gameplay is amazing.”
    • “I strongly recommend that you pick up KeeperFX along with this, which overhauls the graphics and dramatically expands the content available.”
    • “Great game that brings back memories and has an awesome open-source fan expansion (known as KeeperFX) that improves graphics, fixes bugs, as well as adds the ability to install custom content created by the community - through the workshop section found on the KeeperFX website.”
    • “This is just the DOSBox port with no additional enhancements (same as the version on GOG) and you should probably pick up KeeperFX for its bug fixes and enhanced visuals and compatibility.”
    • “You will need to install KeeperFX to fix the graphics because you can barely see the imps; without it, they are hardly visible pixelated blobs.”
    • “The game has not aged well graphically and UI/keybinding wise, but that mod fixes all of that. It is easy to install, and there is a step-by-step guide here on Steam on this game's guide page.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay of Dungeon Keeper is praised for its intuitive yet complex mechanics, engaging strategic depth, and a unique blend of dark humor, making it a timeless classic in the strategy genre. Players appreciate the fair difficulty scaling and the innovative premise that allows them to play as the antagonist, while the core gameplay loop remains addictive and well-balanced. Despite its aging graphics, the overall gameplay experience continues to captivate gamers, with many considering it unmatched by modern titles.

    • “The main gameplay loop is absolutely timeless.”
    • “Developed by Bullfrog Productions, this timeless classic continues to captivate gamers with its unique blend of dark humor, strategic depth, and devilishly addictive gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics in Dungeon Keeper are both intuitive and satisfyingly complex.”
    • “I think my last review was for a freemium Bloons branded tie-in, which is a game with fantastic core gameplay completely ruined by manipulative design choices and a practically abusive chokehold on your time and attention to try to bait you into paying.”
    • “I wish I was exaggerating, but that's the gameplay experience and it really does get this bad.”
    • “The difficulty scaling doesn't feel unfair, although I'm sure I could familiarize myself better with the game's mechanics instead of throwing my monsters at the bad guys and hoping my numbers are higher.”
  • story12 mentions

    The game's story revolves around players taking on the role of a malevolent dungeon keeper, tasked with building and managing a lair to thwart heroic intruders. While it lacks the complexity of traditional RPG narratives, it offers a unique twist on the "god game" genre, where players engage in strategic puzzle-like missions against AI opponents. The charming narration adds a layer of enjoyment, reminding players of their villainous role amidst the gameplay.

    • “Rather than casting players as virtuous heroes on a quest for glory, the game casts them in the role of a malevolent dungeon keeper, tasked with constructing and managing a subterranean lair filled with traps, monsters, and treasure.”
    • “This game is essentially similar to 'god games' of this era except instead of a god, you play a dungeon keeper who has to attract all manner of evil creatures into your dungeon to thwart all the heroic types who attempt to rob or destroy your dungeon - represented via a building you start every mission with called a dungeon heart.”
    • “Several missions pit you against opposing keepers where you have to destroy their dungeon heart. The initial 10 or so missions are rather cozy and easy, but the ones after might challenge you if you are unprepared, and the narrator for the mission intros and outros, Richard Ridings, is a delight to listen to.”
    • “So it's basically a ton of work just to play The Elder Scrolls: Arena except without the quest complexity, riddles at the end of each dungeon, exploring, or spell crafting.”
    • “You tend to forget you're actually playing the villain in this story; you're the bad guy with an army of evildoers waiting for their next payday... at least until you get back to the map screen with the narrator updating you on your region-to-region conquest.”
    • “This game is essentially similar to 'god games' of this era, except instead of a god, you play a dungeon keeper who has to attract all manner of evil creatures into your dungeon to thwart all the heroic types who attempt to rob or destroy your dungeon - represented via a building you start every mission with called a dungeon heart.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in KeeperFX is described as atmospheric and fitting for the game's dark themes, enhancing the overall experience despite not being particularly great. However, users have reported issues with the sound settings, specifically a non-functional volume slider that can lead to excessively loud music. Overall, while the music contributes to the game's ambiance, technical problems detract from its enjoyment.

    • “The music is sinister and very befitting a deep, dark, evil dungeon.”
    • “Play this in keeperfx for the best experience and make sure you copy the music files and make them work.”
    • “As we have set up keeperfx correctly as described above, now it is time to fix its missing music.”
    • “The slider for sound/music doesn't even work, getting deaf from the music!”
    • “As we have set up KeeperFX correctly as described above, now it is time to fix its missing music.”
    • “The music isn't great, but I'm happy to let it set the atmosphere instead of dividing my attention between the game and a podcast.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and clever wit, which has remained engaging since its release in 1997. Players appreciate the game's ability to combine strategic gameplay with amusing elements, such as creating dungeons filled with traps and quirky characters, making it both fun and entertaining. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “Great classic game with interesting mechanics and dark humor.”
    • “Developed by Bullfrog Productions, this timeless classic continues to captivate gamers with its unique blend of dark humor, strategic depth, and devilishly addictive gameplay.”
    • “However, where Dungeon Keeper truly shines is in its wicked sense of humor.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its iconic pixel art and a moody, immersive ambiance that enhances the overall experience, despite some clunky interface elements and less-than-stellar music. Reviewers appreciate the game's unique personality and dark humor, noting that it successfully creates a dreamy and engaging environment that resonates with players. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The pixel art isn't beautiful but it's iconic; the music isn't great, but I'm happy to let it set the atmosphere instead of dividing my attention between the game and a podcast.”
    • “Dungeon Keeper 1 aims for a very specific atmosphere, and whilst it does so, it doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a lot of dark humor thrown in with its moody ambiance and gritty, dank presentation.”
    • “Even though the sequel is better in almost all aspects, I still prefer the kind of dreamy atmosphere and visuals of the original; there's nothing like it.”
    • “Dungeon Keeper 1 aims for a very specific atmosphere, and while it achieves this, it doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a lot of dark humor thrown in with its moody ambiance and gritty, dank presentation.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization is lacking in its standard installation, leading to low resolution and performance issues. However, users have found that installing KeeperFX significantly improves visuals and smoothness, allowing for 1080p gameplay, though some performance inconsistencies remain, particularly in high-resolution mode. Overall, while the base game is not well-optimized, third-party solutions can enhance the experience.

    • “I installed KeeperFX and now it's running in 1080p with somewhat acceptable performance.”
    • “It runs very slowly in the 'hi-res' mode for some reason I haven't been able to figure out yet, and some of the scrolling can be hyper-accelerated, but beyond that it's 1:1 in terms of performance.”
    • “Unfortunately, this version is not optimized properly out of the box.”
    • “I managed to play a couple of hours with a standard Steam installation, but eventually the low resolution and performance got to me.”
    • “It runs very slowly in the 'hi-res' mode for some reason I haven't been able to figure out yet, and some of the scrolling can be hyper-accelerated.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game is praised for its commitment to a creative concept without resorting to excessive monetization schemes or manipulative design tactics, highlighting a straightforward and user-friendly approach to monetization.

    • “I just really like what this game represents: a full commitment to a creative concept that doesn't try to integrate 400 different monetization schemes and dark pattern design choices.”
    • “The monetization in this game feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great but is bogged down by aggressive monetization tactics.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game is widely regarded as a classic with high replayability, making it a must-have for players seeking enduring enjoyment.

    • “It's such a classic and endlessly replayable; a must-have.”
    • “The game offers countless choices and paths, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple endings and varied character builds, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.

    • “Grinding in this game is both rewarding and engaging.”
    • “The grind is challenging but keeps you motivated to improve.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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