Dungeon Siege

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,952 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Dungeon Siege Game Cover
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In Dungeon Siege, players explore a high fantasy world, battling monsters and completing quests in a seamless, open environment. The game features a range of character classes and skills, as well as the ability to recruit companions to aid in combat. Players must strategically manage their party's inventory and abilities to overcome challenges and progress through the story.

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Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,952 reviews
story79 positive mentions
stability44 negative mentions
  • Dungeon Siege offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic RPGs, with engaging gameplay and a unique party system that allows control of up to 8 characters.
  • The game features a seamless world with no loading screens, providing an immersive experience as players journey through diverse environments.
  • The leveling system based on skill usage adds depth to character progression, allowing players to develop their characters in a way that suits their playstyle.
  • The Steam version lacks the Legends of Aranna expansion and has disabled multiplayer, significantly reducing the game's replayability and overall experience.
  • Many players experience frequent crashes, particularly after defeating the final boss, which can lead to frustration and loss of progress.
  • The graphics and user interface feel dated, and the game can be tedious and repetitive, especially in later chapters where the gameplay becomes a grind.
  • story363 mentions

    The story in Dungeon Siege is generally regarded as simplistic and linear, often described as generic high fantasy with minimal character development and world-building. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the straightforward narrative that allows for immersive gameplay, many criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth, with quests that often feel irrelevant. Overall, the game prioritizes action and combat over a compelling storyline, making it more of a hack-and-slash experience than a narrative-driven RPG.

    • “The story is linear but that means that it is focused and there are fewer inconsistencies.”
    • “Decades later, Dungeon Siege still holds up as a model RPG with surprisingly great UX design and story.”
    • “Dungeon Siege impels the player into one over-the-top battle after the other as the storyline unfolds and a larger plot begins to reveal itself.”
    • “The story is nothing special, but the action can't be beat - even Eternum and Torchlight (and Dungeon Siege II) are interrupted by teleporters, load screens, and level management.”
    • “The story is generic, the side quests are very few, the main quest is as linear as it could be - but this is a game from over twenty years ago and it's still extremely playable and fun.”
    • “The story is lacking with no depth; you just go from one village to another killing monsters.”
  • graphics282 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2002 release, with many users noting that while they were impressive for their time, they do not hold up to modern standards. Despite this, some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and artistic style, finding the visuals still enjoyable in a retro context. Technical issues and graphical glitches are common on newer systems, but many agree that the gameplay experience remains strong enough to overlook these shortcomings.

    • “Its polished interface, accessible gameplay, and exceptional graphics make it a standout in the genre.”
    • “The environments are brimming with detail, and the art style captures the essence of a medieval fantasy world.”
    • “For a game from 2002, the graphics are pretty darn good, boasting gorgeous environments, solid animations, and vibrant lighting effects despite only being on DirectX 8.”
    • “The graphics have not aged well, and the gameplay is without many of the improvements that have been made in the genre in the last 20 years!”
    • “The graphics are obviously very dated, even when run at the highest resolution.”
    • “I managed to get a 5 hour session the first day then a random crash throws me back half an hour of gameplay; after reloading the game I found it's now filled with graphical bugs that freeze and crash the game in less than a minute.”
  • gameplay243 mentions

    Dungeon Siege features engaging and accessible gameplay that blends action RPG elements with party-based mechanics, allowing players to control up to eight characters in real-time combat. While the game offers a satisfying loot system and intuitive controls, some players find the gameplay repetitive and the mechanics somewhat dated compared to modern standards. Overall, it remains a nostalgic classic that balances simplicity with enjoyable combat, though it may not appeal to those seeking deeper complexity or narrative depth.

    • “Dungeon Siege is a classic action RPG that offers great value and engaging gameplay.”
    • “Its polished interface, accessible gameplay, and exceptional graphics make it a standout in the genre.”
    • “With its immersive gameplay, vast landscapes, and engaging mechanics, Dungeon Siege has left an indelible mark on the RPG genre.”
    • “But the extremely basic gameplay does not justify its length.”
    • “There are lots of problems with this game both on a technical and gameplay level.”
    • “Overall, the gameplay was a bit underwhelming, not because of the difficulty but because of how it was made/balanced.”
  • music144 mentions

    The music in the game, composed by Jeremy Soule, is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its memorable and immersive qualities. While the soundtrack effectively complements various environments, some players feel it doesn't always match the intensity of combat situations. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its nostalgic appeal and immersive experience.

    • “The orchestral soundtrack adds depth to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall immersion and complementing the epic scale of your adventures.”
    • “The soundtrack is outstanding and the overall feel of the game is almost unheard of in modern RPGs.”
    • “The music (by Jeremy Soule, who also worked on the Elder Scrolls series, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Neverwinter Nights, and Baldur's Gate) and ambient sounds create an incredible atmosphere when exploring and traveling that is hard to match in any other game.”
    • “The music doesn't always fit the situation.”
    • “Strangely, there is no combat music, so during the pitched fights, the generally soothing location theme will be played.”
    • “The music is okay but nothing special.”
  • stability48 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and graphical glitches, particularly on newer operating systems like Windows 8 and 10. While some players have managed to find workarounds and community patches that improve performance, many still find the game unplayable due to persistent issues. Overall, the game is described as buggy and requires considerable troubleshooting to achieve a stable experience.

    • “No glitches, high framerate, no problems saving/loading, zero crashes.”
    • “I have seen no glitches so far; I am only short into the game, but none of the issues that others have mentioned this early in the game.”
    • “The game is not buggy.”
    • “It freezes up so often that it's not worth the time.”
    • “Game constantly freezes and is completely unplayable.”
    • “I managed to get a 5 hour session the first day then a random crash throws me back half an hour of gameplay; after reloading the game I found it's now filled with graphical bugs that freeze and crash the game in less than a minute. It's impossible to play.”
  • grinding44 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that the gameplay loop can become a chore after extended playtime. While some appreciate the nostalgic old-school RPG feel, the slow progression and inflexible character development lead to frustration, particularly in leveling up skills and managing spells. Overall, the game offers a significant amount of grinding that may appeal to dedicated fans but can deter modern players seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “No re-leveling, no grinding.”
    • “The game was boring and tedious.”
    • “What was fun at hours 2-3 became tedious and repetitive at hours 15-16 as you do the same thing over and over.”
    • “Second when it comes to most hack and slash games they come to a point to where you are just grinding for hours on end and it almost feels like a job to finish what you started.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by a memorable orchestral soundtrack and ambient sound effects that complement the fantasy setting. Reviewers highlight the combination of music and environmental design as key to creating a captivating experience, with many noting the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from hope to tension. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game enjoyable for both single-player and multiplayer experiences.

    • “The orchestral soundtrack adds depth to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall immersion and complementing the epic scale of your adventures.”
    • “The ambient music and sound effects enhance the atmosphere of the fantasy world you explore, making every battle and exploration even more memorable.”
    • “The music (by Jeremy Soule) and ambient sounds create an incredible atmosphere when exploring and traveling that is hard to match in any other game.”
    • “Diablo with no atmosphere.”
    • “Closer to an adventure than an RPG, it's like Diablo but without the loot, the clicking, the atmosphere, or the character customization.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is oppressive, and dark, and you will love every minute you spend in here.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    Overall, the reviews highlight a mixed perception of replayability in the game. Many players appreciate the customizable character options, diverse playstyles, and the inclusion of expansions and mods, which enhance replay value. However, some users criticize the game for lacking significant replayability after completion, particularly due to the absence of respawning creatures and limited options for maxed-out characters.

    • “Still my personal favorite when it comes to hack and slash games on PC; it's timeless and very much replayable.”
    • “It's got great replay value as your starting character is fully customizable, and you can choose to be a warrior, archer, or wizard, or even a hybrid of two or all three.”
    • “Was great then, and is still worth playing; it's a very underrated RPG with a unique take on being isometric yet having action elements, tons of replay value.”
    • “It has no replay value.”
    • “Combat is par for the course in hack and slash terms, but you have a wide variety of party styles and level-up strategies to choose from, somewhat enhancing replay value.”
    • “Yes, it's a fun game with an interesting control scheme; however, it has a glaring flaw, and that is that once completed, the game offers no replay value at all.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in its absurdities, such as the ridiculous storylines and quirky character interactions, like a party of dwarves and a comically plump dragon-boss. While some aspects, like the sound effects and unexpected challenges, provide genuine laughs, others, like the frustrating gameplay mechanics, can detract from the overall experience. Ultimately, the humor is described as both entertaining and frustrating, making it a unique but polarizing element of the game.

    • “It's also humorous to get loot from the final boss and then the game ends.”
    • “The sound effects of your character dying are hilarious; and the sounds of monsters and casting spells are also very good!”
    • “A game that has: your own death claws (hello Fallout); a hilarious and plump dragon boss who clogs you with his belly; the high king-drunk who will 'pray for you'; two schools of magic, fighting pitchforks and donkeys.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
    • “The humor is outdated and misses the mark completely.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players noting significant performance issues, especially on modern systems, leading to stuttering and crashes. Achieving peak performance often requires tedious micromanagement, and while some users find enjoyment in the challenge of gear optimization, many report that the game's outdated graphics and bugs detract from the overall experience. Despite these challenges, some players still appreciate the game for its nostalgic value.

    • “It's still fun even without the multiplayer, and runs smoothly on my PC.”
    • “The item drop system is nowhere near being optimized, but it makes getting a well-rolled item that much more rewarding, and the hunt for min/maxing each character's gear is a fun challenge for me.”
    • “If you can get this game to run smoothly, so anything Windows 7 (in Windows XP compatibility mode) and lower, it's a good throwback even if the multiplayer has been removed.”
    • “Peak performance is achieved by absolute micromanagement of your characters' movement and attacks, which in only a few hours crosses the border from fun to tedious.”
    • “The game is full of bugs as it has never been optimized for newer technology and can crash at any time.”
    • “Because the game is old, it has huge problems with its performance on modern systems.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while players appreciate the control over specialization and the impact of combat choices on character effectiveness, many find the system inflexible and overly focused on specialization, leaving hybrid classes underwhelming. The balance between story, character stats, and gameplay mechanics is praised, but the grindy nature of the gameplay and limited depth in gearing detract from the overall experience.

    • “The storyline, the character development, the point system, and the weapons and spells are a perfect balance.”
    • “I like the character stats improvement mechanism too - you have real control over character development and specialization.”
    • “Character development is also interesting; your party members develop their combat effectiveness by how you use them (melee, ranged, caster, etc.).”
    • “There's definitely some downsides though, the character development is very inflexible; it's hard to do anything except specialize. The gearing in the base game is not too deep, and the gameplay loop is fairly grindy.”
    • “I normally don't really like RPGs that are light on story and character development, but Dungeon Siege's gameplay has me completely hooked.”
    • “Automated attack allows a casual aspect, and control of up to 6 characters allows for playing around with character development.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users expressing frustration over perceived deceptive advertising related to censorship and multiplayer support. However, many appreciate the absence of microtransactions and DLC, praising the game for prioritizing quality and innovation over monetization strategies.

    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “Microtransactions for a good cause.”
    • “I just can't speak highly enough of this game; it's the perfect example of how game companies used to think before monetization became the priority over innovation.”
    • “If you have purchased a game from this company in which you were tricked by the advertising into purchasing which was posthumously censored.”
    • “I just can't speak highly enough of this game, it's the perfect example of how game companies used to think, before monetization became the priority over innovation.”
    • “=== microtransactions / dlc policy ===”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, with some recalling fond memories of playing with loved ones, while others feel a deep attachment to the game's characters and world. However, there are criticisms regarding the storyline, with some finding it lacking and repetitive. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, with nostalgia and attachment being prominent themes.

    • “This game is easily one of my top 3 favorites, right next to Neverwinter Nights and EverQuest. Playing it again made me feel like I was sitting there doing co-op with my grandfather, who has been deceased.”
    • “No matter how old and simple this game is, even today when playing, I feel an emotional connection with those digital beasts of burden and the need to protect them with my life on my journey.”
    • “The story is poor and boring.”
    • “It's just a boring story with 'go here, kill this' quests.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

16hMedian play time
130hAverage play time
10-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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