Dungeon of Elements
- June 12, 2014
- Frogdice
Dungeon of Elements is an RPG dungeon crawler with combat inspired by some of our favorite classic puzzle games like Dr. Mario or Tetris. In Dungeon of Elements (DoE), core meets casual as we combine many different styles of gameplay in a fun, immersive experience.
Reviews
- The game features enjoyable Dr. Mario-style gameplay with a unique crafting system that allows players to improve power-ups and gear.
- The combination of puzzle mechanics with RPG elements, such as leveling up and collecting equipment, adds depth and variety to the experience.
- The story and character customization provide an engaging backdrop, making the game more immersive and appealing to fans of narrative-driven gameplay.
- The interface for crafting and using equipment is confusing and lacks clear instructions, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- The sound design is poor, with distracting music and sound effects that detract from the overall experience.
- The game suffers from performance issues, including crashes and a lack of visual clarity due to the use of 3D models in a fixed perspective.
- story20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around an alchemist navigating a world threatened by a monster and internal conflict within the alchemists' guild, with players making choices that feel inconsequential to gameplay. While some players appreciate the attempt to integrate narrative into the match-3 mechanics and enjoy the branching storylines, others criticize the storyline as shallow and the character art as offensive. Overall, the narrative adds a layer of atmosphere but may not meet the expectations of all players.
“The game follows your alchemist as she gains levels, improves equipment, and learns recipes while a story that loosely connects the levels tells of a monster terrorizing the countryside and a schism in the alchemists' guild. At one point, you need to choose which side to support, but I don't think it actually affects gameplay or level choice at all.”
“I enjoyed the branching story and I am glad I know more about the world now.”
“This is a great game for those of you who like the matching genre and want to spice it up with some story and side elements.”
“The female character art is offensive, parts of the interface are never explained (and of course there's no manual), and the 'storyline' is shallow and insipid even beyond my modest expectations.”
“The game follows your alchemist as she gains levels, improves equipment, and learns recipes while a story that loosely connects the levels tells of a monster terrorizing the countryside and a schism in the alchemists' guild (at one point, you need to choose which side to support, but I don't think it actually affects gameplay or level choice at all).”
“As with all Frogdice games, this one attempts to inject some story into the match-3 type experience.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics, where players manage descending "capsules" while leveling up their alchemist and learning recipes. While the story adds a narrative layer, choices made do not significantly impact gameplay. Some users noted that certain elements, like armor, do not influence gameplay, and there are suggestions for optimizing performance through reduced 3D modeling. Overall, the gameplay is likened to classic titles like Dr. Mario, with enjoyable music enhancing the experience.
“The base gameplay is great: one at a time, 'capsules' drop from the top of the screen and descend as time passes.”
“Some items affect overall gameplay, while others enable special abilities.”
“The gameplay is wonderful.”
“The armor has absolutely no effect on gameplay.”
“The game could have greatly limited the 3D modeling to improve performance, appearance, and gameplay.”
“The story loosely connects the levels, but I don't think it actually affects gameplay or level choice at all.”
- music8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it obnoxious and distracting, while others appreciate it, likening the gameplay to classic titles like Dr. Mario. Overall, the sound effects are criticized for being disconnected from the action, leading some players to recommend turning off the music and sound effects to enjoy the game more fully.
“Love the music, and the gameplay makes me think of Dr. Mario from classic Nintendo.”
“The music is genuinely obnoxious and distractingly bad, while the sound effects are wispy swooshes that don't connect with the action at all.”
“If you turn down the sound effects, turn the music off, and think about what you're doing with your life during the animations, it's a wonderful game.”
“The music is genuinely obnoxious and distractingly bad, while the sound effects are wispy swooshes that don't connect with the action at all.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is not explicitly addressed in the provided text, which focuses on the mechanics of color matching and block disappearance. Therefore, it lacks a clear emotional impact or narrative element that resonates with players.
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the game's optimization suffers due to excessive 3D modeling, which negatively impacts performance, visual quality, and overall gameplay experience. Reducing the complexity of the 3D assets could lead to significant improvements in these areas.
“The game could have greatly limited the 3D modeling to improve performance, appearance, and gameplay.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by the evolving story and the ability to change the character's attire, which can have both gameplay effects and cosmetic appeal. This dynamic contributes to a more immersive experience for players.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with every detail contributing to the unfolding story and the way your character's attire changes based on the items you collect.”
“The game's atmosphere is enhanced by the dynamic changes in your character's attire, which adds depth to the storytelling experience.”
“Every element of the game contributes to a rich atmosphere, making the journey feel alive and engaging as your character evolves visually.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, particularly for those who enjoy a fantasy-themed puzzle experience, adding a lighthearted touch to the gameplay.
“It's funny; if you're looking for a puzzle game set in a fantasy world, this is the one for you.”
“The humor in this game is delightful and adds a unique twist to the gameplay.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and clever scenarios throughout the game.”