Dungeon Munchies

Dungeon Munchies is the kind of game that feels like it might be good in another two or three years. Despite the shoddy visuals, awful performance, sloppy movement mechanics, and unoriginal crafting systems, it feels like there could be a good game somewhere in here. With a few tweaks, this combat system might have some promise, and the core loop of crafting—fighting—repeat seems like an interesting riff on the main idea of Monster Hunter. Unfortunately, that potential has yet to fully present itself here — this is an Early Access release with all the issues and lack of cohesion that implies. We’d recommend you pass on Dungeon Munchies, and instead suggest either looking into Dead Cells or Dragon: Marked for Death. There are some quality traits here, but it’s not enough to redeem Dungeon Munchies.

79%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 1,702 reviews

Critic Score 46%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $8.40

Buy NowGet on Steam$19.99

Buy NowGet on PS Store$16.99

About

In "Dungeon Munchies," players explore a dark dungeon as Simmi, a reanimated skeleton, to gather ingredients and cook meals that grant unique abilities. Defeat monsters, avoid traps, and manage hunger in this 2D action-adventure game with quirky humor and retro-style pixel art. Mix and match recipes to suit Jesus Christ's playstyle, discovering the perfect balance of power, speed, and strategy. Summary word count: 3 Number of characters: 351

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,708 reviews

story436 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

story
938 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, humor, and emotional impact, often surprising players with its twists and darker themes as it progresses. While some reviews note a slow start and uneven pacing, many agree that the characters and world-building are engaging, making the narrative a standout feature that keeps players invested. Overall, the combination of quirky humor and serious undertones creates a compelling experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
- “The story is definitely this game's strongest point, and it adds surprise and emotion to what may seem as a simple adventure.”
- “The story is deep and interesting, and despite how humorous it can be and how silly it may look at times, it speaks of what it really means to be human.”
- “The strongest part of the game is the story - it's really good at capturing a heartfelt story interspersed with dark humor and very likable characters.”
- “Again, later on they develop, you learn why they are the way they are, and it gets better, but the start of the game... honestly felt disappointed and wondered if I'd bother keeping to play since early story, gameplay, characters, everything... felt pretty subpar like a cheap indie game made by relatively unskilled/capable devs. So yeah, push past the start, was the weakest part of the game.”
- “The story is also an absolute slog and can really hinder your ability to just get through the game.”
- “The second, and somewhat larger con I had with the game, was the uneven pacing of the story.”
gameplay
457 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting a slow and clunky start that improves as they progress, revealing a more engaging experience with diverse build options and mechanics centered around cooking and crafting. While some find the combat and movement mechanics enjoyable and the customization options satisfying, others criticize the gameplay for being repetitive, unpolished, and at times frustrating, particularly during boss fights. Overall, players seem to agree that while the gameplay may not be the standout feature, it is complemented by a compelling story and humor that keeps them invested.
- “Amazing game with great storyline and interesting gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is fun, chaotic, fast-paced at times, and the difficulty progresses at a reasonable pace so you don't feel like you're hitting random difficulty spikes that ruin your momentum.”
- “The gameplay is utterly fantastic, with slick combat and incredibly deep build customization.”
- “Gameplay is pretty bad.”
- “The level design is straight up bad and gets way worse further into the game, accompanied with janky controls leads to one of the worst gameplay experiences I have in my whole life.”
- “While the characters and story are charming, the moment-to-moment gameplay and especially the user interface and control scheme are hot garbage.”
humor
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and ability to balance absurdity with emotional depth, often blending lighthearted moments with darker themes. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, relatable characters, and the incorporation of internet culture, though some find the humor can be hit or miss. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its charm, making it both entertaining and engaging.
- “The plot was deranged, funny, slapdash, and melancholic.”
- “The devs really know how to put a smile on your face, and how to turn sad moments into funny and cute ones; this is definitely the main grit of this game.”
- “Packed with funny dialogue, personable characters, and increasingly ridiculous recipes, Dungeon Munchies offers hours of entertainment (and frustration).”
music
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional moments, particularly in later chapters. While some tracks are described as memorable and fitting for the game's tone, others are considered forgettable or inconsistent, leading to a lack of cohesion in the overall soundtrack. Overall, the music contributes positively to the experience, but opinions vary on its lasting impact and quality.
- “The ambient music is fantastic and really suits the strange calm of a doomed world, and ramps up appropriately as the plot intensifies.”
- “Frankly, the soundtrack was one of the best parts of the whole experience for me.”
- “The soundtrack adds a nice touch to each area and boss fight; it's an amalgamation of several different music genres that combine into one 'experience'.”
- “The music seems to be a point of pride with the developer and switches on the dime with boss battles and narrative events, but it always felt out of place and distracting for the entire length of the game.”
- “A lot of the sounds are distinctly quiet and underwhelming compared to others, while the music is so inconsistent as to be forgettable.”
- “Unpolished, generally poor music and sound design - I would not be surprised if the audio in this game was done either by someone who was very new in the industry, or was not done by a sound designer/composer at all.”
graphics
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
34%
3%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their vibrant and varied 2D pixel art style, which enhances the overall aesthetic and immersion. Players appreciate the unique character designs, excellent boss visuals, and the humor embedded in the artwork, although some note that the graphical quality can feel reminiscent of lower-budget games. Despite minor criticisms regarding clarity and GUI design, the visuals are generally considered a standout feature that complements the engaging story and gameplay.
- “Visually, the game is stunning, with a ton of enemy variety, excellent boss design, and progressively better level artwork.”
- “The game's graphics are beautiful and well-designed, with a cute and colorful pixel art style.”
- “The visuals are stunning, one of the best pixel art styles I've seen in a long time; the backgrounds are the icing on the cake.”
- “Granted this game has the graphical intensity of a Newgrounds flash game.”
- “There were some problems immediately apparent; just off the top of my head I recall that the GUI is basic to the point of being a turn-off, there are some graphics that would be fine for internet memes but come off as cringy in the context of this game.”
- “It's 'core' graphics are low res to a degree I'm not even sure I'd call them charming.”
emotional
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unexpected depth, blending humor with heartfelt moments that resonate with players. Many reviewers noted the strong character development and touching narratives, which evoke a range of feelings from joy to existential dread. However, some expressed disappointment with the pacing and resolution of the story, feeling that it undermined the emotional connections built throughout the game.
- “The story is the perfect blend of goofy yet heartfelt, and it really ramps up at the end.”
- “After 3 years and a 10-hour binge playthrough, I can say with all honesty that this game has some of the most charming and emotionally investing characters and story I've ever seen.”
- “The story and character made me feel emotions that not many games are able to bring out.”
grinding
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
14%
83%
Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be minimal and manageable, with most upgrades and progress not requiring extensive farming. While some grinding is necessary for crafting and achieving completion, it is described as satisfying rather than tedious, allowing for a smooth progression through the story. The crafting system is particularly praised for providing a sense of accomplishment without feeling overly grindy.
- “It isn't such a long game, with the currently 2 chapters released, it took me about 7 hours to finish, while I wasn't grinding or trying to get every achievement.”
- “It was about 3/4 of the way through the game and playing through again would be annoyingly tedious.”
- “Now this wouldn't be that much of an issue if I was just sitting and grinding for hours, but I only back-tracked twice (for redwood and a crab claw, both for shields coincidentally enough) which took total probably 5 minutes.”
- “This means, the only real grinding you would do in this game would be for the achievement for crafting and cooking everything.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
24%
13%
The game's atmosphere is a striking blend of lightheartedness and darkness, transitioning from a cute environment to a serious and complex narrative. Players appreciate the detailed pixel art, engaging character designs, and a soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience, creating a unique ambiance reminiscent of both chill and horror elements. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its depth, combining humor with a compelling storyline that captivates players.
- “Really detailed pixel art combined with the large variety of more fleshed out character art for the conversations made for a very nice atmosphere.”
- “Great comedy, excellent atmosphere, and a complex horror plot that just lulls you with its initial comedy before the true nightmares begin.”
- “I expected just a funny and cute environment, but the story and the atmosphere is serious and later on, even dark.”
- “This is what happens when you mix the gameplay of Terraria with the atmosphere of Made in Abyss.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players report that the game suffers from various bugs and glitches, particularly in the menu and combat systems, which can lead to confusion and frustration. While some users note that they haven't encountered game-breaking issues, the presence of minor bugs, especially in weapon crafting and attack mechanics, detracts from the overall experience. Improvements are needed to enhance stability and reduce these annoyances.
- “Too buggy for me right now.”
- “It glitches the menus and other weird things like breaking the screen, but it left me more confused than excited.”
- “The combat can be slightly buggy in some areas such as attacks clipping through terrain and large almost impossible to dodge attacks if positioned wrong.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and charming character designs, which some players find engaging despite their absurdity. While the whimsical nature of characters, such as a living pineapple grappling with existential questions, adds to the game's charm, opinions vary on whether these designs compensate for other shortcomings in gameplay. Overall, the character designs are praised as top-tier, appealing even to those who may not typically enjoy anime or manga aesthetics.
- “Can't wait for the next game from the studio, with more mature game systems and the same level of character designs that made me fall in love with this game <3”
- “Character design in general was top tier!”
- “I can wholeheartedly recommend this game, even to people who may not be a fan of manga or anime as, aside from the character designs, it has little to do with anything 'anime-y'.”
- “While the absurd character designs can be a bit distracting, pulling you out of the moment and asking such questions as 'why the hell am I listening to a living pineapple ponder the meaning of its place in society and have an existential meltdown while being slowly crushed under the tyrannical rule of a living ice cream cone?' I've found those moments only serve to enhance the charm of the game.”
- “- Cute character designs that don't ultimately make up for the game's negatives in my opinion.”
- “While the character designs are charming, they do not compensate for the lack of depth in character development throughout the game.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
49%
38%
The game's replayability is considered decent due to varied combat mechanics that allow for different builds, making each playthrough feel somewhat unique. However, with only two hours of content currently available, many players feel that the overall replay value is lacking, leading to mixed recommendations regarding its worth. As the game continues to develop, there is hope for increased replayability in the future.
- “In terms of replayability, I'd say it's pretty decent as the combat is fun enough and varies with each build, making every playthrough feel different enough to not get old.”
- “There is only 2 hours of content, so it might be intended to be played multiple times, but the replay value isn't there.”
- “Overall, I would not recommend this game; there is no replay value, so the money is better spent elsewhere.”
- “The game might have a small amount of playtime or replay value right now, but as the game finishes development, that should increase.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is noted for its smooth performance and unique art style, with users expressing confidence that optimization will continue to improve. Overall, the optimization aspect is positively received.
- “The game runs smoothly and features a very fun and unique art style.”
- “Optimization will also increase.”

46%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

Buy Dungeon Munchies

5h Median play time

9h Average play time

2-18h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

86%942reviews

Metal Unit

2021

Role Playing

84%17.8kreviews

CrossCode

2021

Role Playing Shooter

90%24.3kreviews

Dust: An Elysian Tail

2015

Arcade Hack and Slash

+13

81%1.9kreviews

ANNO: Mutationem

2022

Hack and Slash

86%2.3kreviews

MO:Astray

2019

Casual Platformer

Dungeon Munchies Tweets

Dungeon Munchies

Platforms

About