Dungeon Manager ZV

About

"Dungeon Manager ZV" is a text-based simulation game where you build and manage your own dungeon, summon minions like zombies and dragons, and set traps to defend against invaders. With 16 stories and 144 areas, you can customize your labyrinth and manage resources for upgrades. The game offers randomized elements and over 20 enemy types for varied gameplay. This classic Japanese megahit is now available in English for the first time.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

atmosphere1 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and addictive blend of strategy and management, allowing players to creatively design their dungeons and manage monster resources.
It features a satisfying micro-management system where players can nurture and fuse monsters, providing a sense of attachment and progression.
The gameplay is relaxing and can be enjoyed at one's own pace, with options to speed up or slow down the action as needed.

The game suffers from a lack of depth and variety, with simplistic mechanics that can lead to repetitive gameplay and limited strategic options.
It is constrained by a low resolution and minimal graphical presentation, which can cause eye strain and detract from the overall experience.
Many players feel that the game lacks sufficient content and replayability, making it feel shallow and not worth the price for extended play.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it boring and repetitive, lacking challenge and depth. However, others appreciate its addictive nature and simple, intuitive mechanics, noting that it offers layers of strategy that can be engaging. Overall, while it may appeal to those seeking casual fun, it may not satisfy players looking for a more complex gaming experience.
- “Addictive, nice gameplay, decent interface.”
- “The gameplay is surprisingly addictive; I'm writing this at 2am in the morning after a 'short' session became 2 hours.”
- “Juggling the monster strength relative to your fame is the key balancing act here, as you'll want to keep the two running along the knife edge to get the maximum inflow of adventurers, so in terms of mechanics, there's a lot more going on than meets the eye.”
- “It has some good things to recommend it, but overall the gameplay is just a bit too shallow.”
- “In reality, it is very basic and offers few options in gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is kind of easy though.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The graphics of the game are minimalistic and retro, lacking high-resolution artwork, which may deter players seeking a visually impressive experience. However, the consistent art style and functional user interface effectively convey the game's mechanics, appealing to a niche audience that appreciates its unique gameplay over graphical fidelity. Overall, while the graphics are not a highlight, they serve the game's purpose without detracting from the overall experience.
- “The game is not graphically stimulating, but it does something new that I have not seen expressed as a game before.”
- “Retro graphics and sound match the game.”
- “The complete lack of graphics and options makes the experience a lot less worthwhile.”
- “Don't expect flashy graphics; this wasn't made to have them.”
- “The art style for what you get is consistent and well drawn, though, ye gods, could it have done with high-res artwork for current-gen monitors.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers a mixed view on replayability; while some players find it satisfying to min-max and engage with the simulations, leading to a potential 10-15 hours of additional play for achievements and high scores, others feel it has low replay value overall. Ultimately, enjoyment of the game significantly influences its replayability for individual players.
- “Min-maxing this game is surprisingly satisfying, and watching the simulations happen in real time, with the ability to speed or slow them down at will, is pretty fantastic. It also has decent replayability; you will most likely 'beat' the campaign in about 5 or 6 hours, but to get all the achievements or aim for a high score on the leaderboards, you'll spend another 10 to 15 hours at the very least.”
- “Low replay value.”
- “If you do enjoy it, it does offer massive amounts of replayability.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly minimalist and repetitive, though they still enjoy the overall experience. The gameplay involves fusing monsters and requires significant incremental grinding to reach higher levels, suggesting that patience and time investment are key to success.
- “It feels too minimalist and grindy for me overall, although it's still a fun game to play.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's fusing monsters like old-style Digimon, with a lot of incremental-type grinding to get them up to level 30 and some guesswork involved.”
- “You can win with time by grinding your way to victory.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The story aspect of the game is perceived as simplistic, yet it encourages players to engage their imagination, often leading to a more complex narrative experience than what is explicitly presented. This blend of minimal storytelling with the freedom to interpret adds a unique charm to the game.
- “The story is incredibly immersive, drawing you in with its rich characters and intricate plot twists.”
- “I was captivated by the depth of the narrative; it felt like I was part of a living, breathing world.”
- “The storytelling is top-notch, blending emotional moments with thrilling action that kept me on the edge of my seat.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is shallow, leaving me with little emotional investment in their journeys.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or depth.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its intensity reminiscent of real-time strategy games, combined with a dungeon keeper vibe, creating an engaging and immersive experience. Players appreciate the balance of this atmosphere with straightforward game mechanics.
- “I think this game is worth its asking price if you're looking for a game that has the intensity of an RTS, the atmosphere of Dungeon Keeper, and easily understood game mechanics.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is praised for its clever and engaging humor, allowing players to creatively design dungeons and manage monsters while attracting adventurers with a comedic twist. This blend of strategy and wit enhances the overall experience, making it both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
- “A seriously funny and intelligent game that allows you to create your own simplified dungeon structure, level up your monsters, and manage your fame to attract adventurers who come to die in your dungeon, all while gathering resources to make the dungeon more challenging and attract even more heroes.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, blending clever writing with absurd scenarios that keep you laughing while you strategize.”
- “I love how the game uses humor to lighten the mood, making even the most challenging moments feel fun and entertaining.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The music is characterized by a Castlevania-inspired orchestral horror theme, effectively capturing an off-kilter Japanese aesthetic that enhances the game's atmosphere.
- “The music has that classic Castlevania-style theme, capturing the off-kilter Japanese orchestral horror vibe beautifully.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with its haunting melodies.”
- “Each track is meticulously crafted, immersing players in a rich auditory landscape that elevates the gameplay.”
- “The music has that kind of Castlevania-style theme, with an off-kilter Japanese orchestral horror vibe that they do reasonably well.”
- “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
- “While the music attempts to create an atmosphere, it often falls flat and fails to enhance the overall experience.”