Dungeon Rats

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 347 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dungeon Rats Game Cover
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In "Dungeon Rats" , you survive as a prisoner in a gang-run jail, building combat skills, collecting weapons, and recruiting allies. The game features tactical combat, crafting and alchemy systems, and customizable characters. With 50 fights and multiple endings, your choices determine your fate in this brutal, unforgiving world.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 347 reviews
story21 positive mentions
graphics7 negative mentions
  • Dungeon Rats offers a challenging and engaging combat system that requires strategic thinking and careful resource management.
  • The game features a variety of character builds and customization options, allowing players to experiment with different tactics and playstyles.
  • The atmosphere and lore, while minimal, provide a gritty backdrop that enhances the overall experience for fans of the Age of Decadence universe.
  • The game is highly linear, with little to no exploration or meaningful choices outside of combat, which may disappoint players looking for a rich narrative experience.
  • Many players find the reliance on RNG (random number generation) frustrating, as it can lead to unpredictable outcomes in battles, making progress feel unfair at times.
  • The user interface and inventory management are clunky and outdated, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
  • story120 mentions

    The story in "Dungeon Rats" is minimal and linear, primarily serving as a backdrop to the game's focus on tactical combat. While it references the broader lore of "Age of Decadence," players seeking deep narrative or character development will likely be disappointed, as the plot is often described as threadbare and functional. Overall, the game is tailored for those who prefer combat over storytelling, providing just enough narrative to guide players through encounters without distraction.

    • “The mood and theme were great, despite the limited story.”
    • “The story and occasional events/interactions feel smooth, non-repetitive, and polished.”
    • “The setting fits perfectly within the broader world of Age of Decadence, allowing the story to take place on a relatively small scale while still feeling like a part of something big.”
    • “The difficulty is high, the interface a tad clunky, and the story is almost non-existent.”
    • “If you're expecting deep storytelling and complex character development, give it a pass.”
    • “There's almost no story, just fighting, and it's nowhere near as fun as I hoped it'd be.”
  • gameplay63 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its challenging and tactical combat mechanics, which some players find rewarding while others deem frustrating due to high difficulty and a lack of clear instruction. While the combat system is praised for its depth and variety, the overall experience can feel rigid and repetitive, with many mechanics requiring a steep learning curve. Players recommend starting on easier settings and utilizing party mechanics to enhance the experience, as solo play can lead to a more punishing and less enjoyable journey.

    • “If you're into diving into mechanically well-thought-out games, this could be for you.”
    • “The game also features some really well-designed mechanics to bite into.”
    • “I love the combat system, the underlying mechanics (materials, crafting, etc.), and the flexibility in character customization.”
    • “The game falls apart when its 'normal' settings tell you that you will die a lot, which is true, except it's not due to challenging scenarios, but rather a degradation of gameplay caused by decisions made in the campaign's concept.”
    • “This and other design choices lead to some very dry and laborious gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is rigid and all but intuitive, making you reluctant at first.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The graphics of Dungeon Rats are generally considered outdated and lack polish, with many reviewers rating them between 4-5/10. While some players appreciate the charming low-resolution style and find the visuals acceptable, others criticize them as clunky and generic, detracting from the overall experience. Despite the graphical shortcomings, the game's combat and atmosphere are noted as enjoyable aspects.

    • “I like the graphics and the music.”
    • “The graphics are not mind-blowing, but the combat and atmosphere of the game make it a great deal of fun.”
    • “As you can see from the screenshots, the graphics are not next-gen, but they are decent.”
    • “Dungeon Rats is clearly very dated in more than just graphics.”
    • “The graphics are severely outdated and are even worse compared to AOD.”
    • “Graphics are only budget standard; the UI lacks a little polish, controls take a little getting used to, and I'm seeing the occasional camera glitch.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and atmospheric quality, drawing comparisons to iconic soundtracks from titles like Fallout and Planescape: Torment. Reviewers highlight the significant improvement over previous works, noting that the soundtrack could easily stand alongside those of AAA titles. Overall, the music enhances the game's ambiance and complements its gameplay effectively.

    • “It's a complete joy to listen to the game's beautiful soundtracks.”
    • “The music in Dungeon Rats is superb, and draws inspiration from Mark Morgan's soundtracks to Fallout and Planescape: Torment.”
    • “The first thing you'll notice when playing the game is the excellent, atmospheric music, almost perfectly complementing the game's main menu screen.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the RPG elements, character choices, and varying difficulty levels that enhance replay value, others find it lacking due to limited dialogue in solo mode and a perceived lack of incentive to replay. The game typically offers around 15 to 25 hours of gameplay, but opinions vary significantly on whether the experience warrants multiple playthroughs.

    • “Due to weapon skills differing and different builds changing how you play this game, the replayability value is high.”
    • “Replayability is high because of the many different choices during character creation and party assembly.”
    • “And the best thing about this game is its replayability.”
    • “There might be some replay value here, but honestly the difficulty is such that you may not want to play through.”
    • “Can see no replay value whatsoever.”
    • “Lack of replay value (mainly due to the above).”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its engaging music and cultural elements, which enhance the overall experience. While some critiques mention a departure from the original setting due to humor and references, many players appreciate the combination of tactical combat and resource management that contributes to a compelling ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and enjoyable, complementing the gameplay effectively.

    • “The atmosphere and setting is great as well.”
    • “Super fun game, love the atmosphere and the cultural elements of the game.”
    • “I would also like to mention the music, atmosphere, ambients, they all work like a charm.”
    • “No, seriously, I have no idea why, but instead of trying to keep the original atmosphere, the developers decided to play Magicka here.”
    • “With the setting and atmosphere ruined by cheap references and dull jokes, with everything but battles completely removed and with battle mechanics being as basic as you remember them being in The Age of Decadence?”
    • “If, however, you're looking for around 5-10 hours of DLC content that consists of highly polished, gruelingly difficult AOD-style combat and atmosphere, this is exactly what you're looking for.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game is primarily combat-focused, offering a straightforward turn-based system that allows for some customization through various weapons and armor. However, players seeking deep storytelling and complex character arcs may be disappointed, as the development options are limited and the narrative is criticized for being weak. Overall, while the game provides meaningful choices that impact gameplay, it lacks depth in character-driven storytelling.

    • “It is mostly combat focused, with pretty interesting, challenging, but not too complicated turn-based combat and character development system.”
    • “Meaningful character development, well thought-out battles, a fair and dedicated developer.”
    • “Dungeon Rats is difficult, but responds really well to the character development choices you make.”
    • “If you're expecting deep storytelling and complex character development, give it a pass.”
    • “Some variation in character development, but not a lot of viable options.”
    • “Awful storytelling, role-playing, resource management, character development, etc.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players finding the combat encounters monotonous and lacking balance. Early-game difficulty and the need for frequent reloading due to overwhelming challenges contribute to a frustrating experience, making the grind feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay element.

    • “Grindy, with boring filler combats (e.g., the insects at the start).”
    • “Continuous fighting in dungeon rats quickly became repetitive and tedious, with many encounters feeling exactly the same. Expect only a very specific range of characters to succeed in completing the game, and be prepared to endure plenty of reloading, since even at max defense, you are still very vulnerable to just about everything.”
    • “Leveling interactive objects to move around (climb cliffs, use elevators, jump gaps, etc.) is a tedious and unnecessary mechanic.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is largely lacking, as players report minimal connection with companions and camp members due to sparse dialogue, resulting in a focus primarily on exploration and combat rather than character development or emotional engagement.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is appreciated by players who enjoy the combat mechanics but find the early-game challenges and extensive text boxes amusingly frustrating. Overall, it seems to blend humor with gameplay, appealing to those who appreciate a lighthearted take on difficult scenarios.

    • “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, making even the most mundane tasks feel entertaining.”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and absurd situations the characters found themselves in.”
    • “The comedic timing in the cutscenes is perfect, adding a delightful layer to the overall experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express disappointment with the monetization strategy, noting that the game features a reduced number of unique encounters, with many repetitive enemy types that seem designed to pad content rather than enhance gameplay. This approach has led to a perception that the developers prioritized quantity over quality, potentially as a means to justify additional monetization efforts.

    • “The promised ~50 handcrafted encounters were cut down to about 25-30. At some point during development, the developers seemed to get nostalgic for Fallout 2 and added a plethora of fights with ants, scorpions, bigger scorpions, and even bigger renamed scorpions. It feels like these encounters were designed as advertisements to provide at least a modicum of satisfaction from defeating them.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money rather than providing a balanced experience.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features that should have been included in the base game are locked behind paywalls, making it feel like a cash grab rather than a complete product.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game is characterized by an edgy and rough experience, with occasional bugs, yet it still manages to engage players positively.

    • “Edgy, rough, and sometimes buggy, but I like this game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

37hMedian play time
41hAverage play time
13-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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