Dungeons of Dreadrock
Get on Play Store"Dungeons of Dreadrock" is a single-player action game with an intriguing story, marvelous game mechanics, stunning visuals, and soundtrack. Despite some grinding, annoying ads, and bugs, the game boasts a good atmosphere, plenty of humor, and high emotional stakes. As the winner of IGF 2022, it offers an immersive puzzle dungeon adventure.
Phone
Android
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- Engaging storyline with clever puzzles that challenge the player's thinking.
- Beautiful pixel art and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
- Well-balanced difficulty progression that keeps the game interesting without being frustrating.
- Controls can be unresponsive or frustrating, especially during timed puzzles.
- Frequent ads after every level can disrupt the flow of gameplay, particularly when backtracking.
- Some puzzles may feel arbitrary or require trial and error without clear guidance.
- story676 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging and well-crafted narrative, which complements the puzzle mechanics throughout the 100 levels. Players appreciate the charming characters, humor, and emotional depth, with many noting the effective voice acting and beautiful art that enhance the storytelling experience. While some find the story simple or occasionally clunky, the overall consensus is that it successfully keeps players invested and motivated to progress.
“The story is neat, fitting in perfectly with the puzzles.”
“Great game, clean animation, beautiful story of a sister stepping up against the world for her little brother!”
“The story is engaging enough to drive the game forward without being a huge distraction.”
“The story drags and is kinda clunky.”
“The story is standard.”
“The only downside is the story; it didn't have enough back story to really delve into.”
- monetization510 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game primarily relies on ads, which appear after every level, leading to frequent interruptions during gameplay. While some players find the ads excessive, especially when backtracking between levels, many appreciate the option to purchase an ad-free version for a reasonable price, viewing it as a fair trade-off for supporting the developers. Overall, the ads are generally considered tolerable, but their frequency can detract from the gaming experience, prompting some players to opt for the paid version to enhance their enjoyment.
“No ads with the Google Play Pass.”
“I paid for no ads as it's clear lots of effort went into this game.”
“No microtransactions is great to see in a game these days.”
“The constant ads between every level, especially when the game required you to go up and down levels multiple times to get through, was the most annoying part.”
“I understand the need for ads, but the ones on the floors you already visited (going back and forth) are really annoying.”
“Every floor is very challenging and makes you think deeper but you will forcely watch ads.”
- gameplay266 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is widely praised for its clever mechanics, engaging puzzles, and smooth controls, providing a satisfying balance of challenge and accessibility. Players appreciate the intuitive design and the way new mechanics are introduced progressively, keeping the experience fresh and enjoyable. However, some users noted issues with controls and the frequency of ads, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, the combination of captivating storytelling, beautiful art, and innovative gameplay elements makes it a standout title in the puzzle genre.
“The puzzles, the atmosphere, the mechanics.”
“Clever mechanics and head-scratching puzzles are neatly wrapped up in the character's story of overcoming obstacles that mirrors your own journey through the dungeon.”
“The gameplay is pure joy, and the puzzles all make sense, are unique and you get none of those 'impossible' stupid bits other puzzle games have.”
“The controls are clunky and the mechanics are poorly explained.”
“Level design and gameplay would make it a 5* but the swipe controls are so bad that the majority of failures come from the controls being too sensitive.”
- graphics233 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and overall polish, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic appeal. Many players appreciate the combination of retro visuals with modern design elements, noting that the graphics enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience. However, some users have pointed out minor issues, such as graphical bugs and optimization concerns, but these do not detract significantly from the overall positive reception of the game's visuals.
“The pixel art style is charming, and the gameplay is addictive, with a good balance of challenge and reward.”
“The graphics are great, the sounds, the storyline, and the battles make for an intense and fun gameplay experience.”
“The retro visuals and strategic challenges make for a rewarding experience.”
“The only backfall was its graphics.”
“The game is very enjoyable to those who like strategic games; unfortunately, it needs a lot of improvements in controls, playable character, graphics, and in-game items.”
“The only problem was its optimization, which caused a lot of lagging while water graphics were present; otherwise, full marks for the concept and the game itself.”
- music138 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players praising its catchy, immersive quality that complements the art and storytelling. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is not only enjoyable but also effectively sets the mood for various gameplay moments, although some found certain tracks repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of music, voice acting, and sound design contributes significantly to the game's charm and engagement.
“The music, the backgrounds, the clues (especially the first clue in the level Tritan's Trap), the puns.”
“The art and music were superb; they both capture the story and setting of the game.”
“The music is so good it creates the perfect atmosphere, and the voice acting is also good.”
“However, the music when going into a different chapter was very repetitive; I got sick of hearing it over and over again.”
“I don't like the music at the end of every stage; it's immersion breaking.”
“Unfortunately, the game lacks a 'mute' button; you can't play it while listening to music or podcasts.”
- humor66 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, with many players enjoying the witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and lighthearted narrative twists. Reviewers noted that the humor enhances the overall experience, making the puzzles and gameplay more engaging and entertaining. While some found certain jokes to be cringy, the majority appreciated the blend of humor with the game's art style and story, contributing to a fun and memorable gaming experience.
“The humor was also pleasant, and the action/puzzle flow of the game was a great time.”
“I laughed pretty hard when the king said, "I'm feeling... funny" 😂.”
“The story is lovely and hilarious.”
“The second one is more subjective; the 'quirky, fourth wall break' text was really not funny nor endearing.”
“The humor fell flat and often felt forced, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
“I expected clever jokes, but instead, I was met with tired clichés that didn't land.”
- stability16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users reporting various glitches and bugs that can affect gameplay, particularly with controls and loading times. While some players found these issues minor and manageable, others experienced significant disruptions, such as freezing and unresponsive controls, leading to frustration. Overall, while the game is praised for its design, the stability concerns have resulted in a lower rating for some users.
“It's buggy or unresponsive.”
“I don't know if it's dynamically streaming the level over the internet or if something is just busted, but every level takes 20-30 seconds to load while the character just freezes in the middle of the stair-climbing animation.”
“There are some major bugs; if you swap apps, the game sometimes glitches out and freezes my phone to the point of needing to restart it.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by effective background sounds, music, and art style that evoke a dark and engaging environment. While many players appreciate the overall design and storytelling, some note that repetitive elements can detract from the experience. Overall, the game successfully creates a memorable and atmospheric setting that complements its gameplay and narrative.
“I loved the atmosphere and the art, and for the first time ever I was actually interested in reading the characters' dialogue.”
“The music is so good it creates the perfect atmosphere and the voice acting is also good.”
“It's so blaring and repetitive, it really takes away from the dark and creepy atmosphere and breaks the immersion.”
“Needs a bit of improvement on sound effects and some other things, but overall the atmosphere is well thought out and the art style is quite nostalgic.”
“You can clearly feel the dungeon atmosphere.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the innovative mechanics and engaging narrative that minimize repetition, others criticize the frequent ads and certain enemies that require excessive hits, leading to tedious gameplay. Many agree that the game is enjoyable without heavy grinding, but the interruptions and some level designs can detract from the overall experience.
“I did not expect an ogre to chase me from one level to the next, or to sometimes have to go back to previous levels to do things needed for the current level. There's little repetition, and when there is, it's not tedious.”
“Short, fun, no grinding, and well-made stuff just like other games should be.”
“But having to watch an ad in between every single level is a bit tedious.”
“Some criticism includes: hints aren't nearly as helpful as they should be; the sequence of scrolling through dungeon levels feels long and tedious after the first few; and options and accessibility seem to be largely ignored.”
“Level took me almost an hour to do because of how tedious it is to do all over again.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming story, credible characters, and nostalgic music, creating a deeply immersive experience. Players express feelings of accomplishment and joy, particularly during poignant moments, such as the sister's sacrifice, which resonates strongly. Overall, the game is praised for its touching narrative and satisfying gameplay, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
“Touching story and credible characters.”
“The feeling at the end when the main character says 'we'll go home' is wholesome.”
“Also the dedication to your sister at the end was heartfelt.”
- character development8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised, with players appreciating the engaging storyline, appealing character designs, and animations. The pixel art style and sound effects further enhance the experience, contributing to a well-rounded and immersive narrative. Many reviewers express a strong emotional connection to the characters, particularly highlighting the brave sister's journey to protect her brother.
“I love the storyline, graphics, character development, character design, everything.”
“Super cool-cute character designs, animations, the background score and sound effects, and of course the story!”
“The animation, character design (pixel art), and sounds are excellent for a small to medium-based game.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story, impressive graphics, and challenging puzzles, but it suffers from a lack of replayability. Players express disappointment that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to revisit the game, with many suggesting the addition of an endless mode or other content to enhance replay value.
“This is a very good game; the story is great, the graphics are excellent, and the puzzles are challenging. Overall, everything is fantastic. The only thing the game is missing is replayability, as after you finish the story, there is nothing else to do. My suggestion is to add some kind of endless mode that is not related to the story at all.”
“Only downsides are that it's a little short (I blew through it in about 2 days) and it lacks a ton of replay value.”
“I don't think there's much replay value, though.”
“This is a very good game, the story is great, the graphics are very good, the puzzles are challenging, and overall everything is fantastic... the only thing the game is missing is replayability, because after you finish the story, you will have nothing to do. My suggestion is to add some kind of an endless mode that is not related to the story at all.”
“Only downsides are it's a little short (I blew through it in about 2 days) and not a ton of replay value.”
“Only downside is having no replay value after finishing the game because you'd have figured out all the puzzles.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while the pixel art and design are praised, players report significant lag and performance issues, particularly in larger levels and during water graphics. Despite these concerns, many appreciate the game's concept and potential for future improvements.
“The pixel art style is great and the game looks really polished and optimized.”
“The only problem was its optimization, which caused a lot of lagging while water graphics were there; otherwise, full marks for the concept and the game itself.”
“The movement is kinda difficult but you can adjust to it, and for me, the game performance gets rather low for the bigger levels.”
“The movement is kind of difficult, but you can adjust to it. For me, the game performance drops significantly in the bigger levels.”
“The only problem was its optimization, which caused a lot of lagging when water graphics were present. Otherwise, full marks for the concept and the game itself.”
