Dungeons of Hinterberg

Dungeons of Hinterberg immaculately captures the idyllic spirit of a small mountain village with its vibrant characters, and the heightened sense of adventure that comes from exploring its many intricately designed magical dungeons.

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In "Dungeons of Hinter," explore the Austrian Alps as Luisa, a law student turned monster slayer, taking on dungeons and puzzles while enjoying outdoor activities like snowboarding and zip lining. Equip yourself with swords and magic to defeat lurking monsters, and discover hidden treasures in this charming alpine setting. Your goal: become a Master Slayer and uncover Hinterberg's secrets. * 309 characters * Explory-action game in Austrian Alps * Luisa progresses through dungeons, using skills, swords, and magic vs monsters

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 992 reviews

story118 positive mentions

grinding27 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful art style and vibrant graphics that enhance the overall experience.
Dungeons of Hinterberg offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving, combat, and social interaction, creating an engaging gameplay loop.
The characters are relatable and well-written, making the social aspects of the game enjoyable and rewarding.

Combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, which may detract from the overall enjoyment for some players.
The puzzles, while enjoyable, may not be challenging enough for players seeking a more difficult experience.
Some players may find the game overly hand-holding, limiting exploration and player agency.

story
316 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its charm, character development, and engaging narrative that explores themes of self-discovery and the impact of tourism on local communities. However, some critiques highlight a lack of depth in certain plot elements and character choices, leading to a perception of juvenile writing or disjointed storytelling. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it effectively complements the gameplay and offers a satisfying experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven adventures.
- “The story is incredibly well written with great pace, except for the ending where I felt like it needed more ramp-up to the climax.”
- “The writing is also smart and well done, all the magic and monsters is dressing for a very real feeling story about a small resort town grappling with way too much success way too fast, and every character lives through it in a different way and offers other perspectives.”
- “The story and characters that you meet pulled me in and I was really happy with the ending.”
- “The biggest disappointment for me was the story not because it was bad per se, but they had a very good moral dilemma they introduced, only to paint one side as cartoonishly evil, which ended up falling flat and disappointing.”
- “Story: the story is absent, the plot is unbelievable in a way that is not fanciful but just plainly something you want to ignore, dialogue is boring and tedious, and characters are shallow and forgettable.”
- “The story isn't a major focus of the game.”
gameplay
270 mentions
47 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Dungeons of Hinterberg" is a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and light combat, drawing comparisons to both Zelda and Persona mechanics. Players appreciate the distinctiveness of each dungeon, the engaging puzzles, and the charming character interactions, although some find the combat simplistic and the overall mechanics occasionally lacking depth. Overall, the game offers a satisfying and enjoyable experience, particularly for those who enjoy cozy RPGs with a focus on relationships and exploration.
- “Its an interesting mix of genres, gameplay feels evenly split between building up relationships with people met in Hinterberg, fighting monsters, and solving puzzles.”
- “The dungeon gameplay is really fun and there are some extremely creative dungeons and boss fights, especially towards the end of the game.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty satisfying and always gives you something to do next, so it's easy to stay and play for a while.”
- “The art style and puzzle mechanics shine the most, but some balance issues and monotony make combat feel like a real chore.”
- “Gameplay is sloppy and slow as a turtle on some meds... there is not much difference between dungeons or the enemies... very few special abilities for the character you play as.”
- “I suppose the game is all about atmosphere and style (if you're into this kind of visual presentation), because, in my opinion, the gameplay does not do very well: the fighting lacks momentum and inertia, the acrobatics are quite tedious, the camera moves all over the place (at least when using mouse), and the battles are both scarce and beyond easy.”
graphics
228 mentions
46 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and charming art style, often described as colorful, cartoonish, and reminiscent of comic book aesthetics. Many players appreciate the unique cel-shaded visuals and the overall polish, which contribute to a cozy and engaging atmosphere. However, some critiques mention that while the art style is appealing, it may not compensate for gameplay shortcomings, and a few players found the graphics to be less impressive or even unattractive.
- “The art style is stunning - some levels are absolutely gorgeous!”
- “Graphics (9/10): beautiful hand-drawn art style that brings the world to life with vibrant colors and detailed environments!”
- “With an incredibly colorful and infectious art style, fun combat, clever puzzles, and a relatable narrative about burnout and escapism, Dungeons of Hinterberg is one of 2024's most captivating experiences.”
- “The graphics of this game are not good enough to warrant these kinds of performance issues.”
- “When you play this game, what stands out the most is how ugly the graphics are.”
- “I should've taken the hint from the art style and character design but this game is definitely not for me.”
music
58 mentions
83 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed response, with many praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the immersive experience, particularly in relation to the game's art style and dynamic gameplay. While some tracks are noted as standout pieces, others are described as forgettable background noise. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game, contributing to its beautiful and engaging environment.
- “The soundtrack was lovely, and the fact that it was included at the time of purchase was a nice bonus. I think a couple of the music tracks will probably end up on my music playlists.”
- “The music is pleasant to listen to and sets the mood well.”
- “Soundtrack (8/10): atmospheric music that enhances the immersive experience, fitting the fantasy setting perfectly.”
- “Music: nothing stood out to me up to the second dungeon, just forgettable background noises.”
- “The atmosphere, the mechanics, the puzzles, the characters, the way everything flows into each other, and the music!”
- “The graphics in the screenshots and trailers are honest, the music fits the setting and doesn't get in the way.”
atmosphere
42 mentions
57 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy, immersive quality, featuring beautifully designed areas and dungeons that enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the vibrant graphics, charming characters, and atmospheric music that contribute to a relaxing vacation-like vibe, although some note that certain dungeon environments feel repetitive. Overall, the combination of art style, sound design, and a focus on exploration and social interaction creates a delightful and engaging atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere is wonderful and the characters are very interesting.”
- “The art style is thoroughly charming and helps create an almost serene, otherworldly atmosphere that lends itself well to the story and persona-like life sim aspects between the dungeons, which themselves seem well designed and fairly intriguing from what I've played so far.”
- “The game itself places a heavy emphasis on taking a vacation away from modern life and work by reminding you that Louisa, and some of the other characters, are there on vacation to get away from their normal day-to-day, with its chill relaxing atmosphere and encouraging you to take time off and use the days to relax and/or socialize with others.”
- “Only thing I'm not a fan about so far is how similar some of the dungeon atmospheres are.”
- “I suppose the game is all about atmosphere and style (if you're into this kind of visual presentation), because, in my humble opinion, the gameplay does not do very well: the fighting lacks momentum and inertia, the acrobatics are quite tedious, the camera moves all over the place (at least when using mouse), and the battles are both scarce and beyond easy.”
- “The puzzles and combat had enough variety to keep them fresh and interesting, and playing through on tough I found the difficulty and pacing were a really nice level of challenge without ever being frustrating or pushing too hard against the relaxing atmosphere and vibe.”
grinding
27 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages where tasks become frustratingly monotonous. While some enjoy the atmosphere and story, many criticize the combat and gameplay mechanics for lacking depth and excitement, leading to a sense of annoyance rather than engagement. The balance of gameplay elements is noted positively by some, but the inclusion of grinding achievements is often seen as unnecessary and detracting from the overall experience.
- “This produces a lot of infuriating moments in which simply descending from a platform becomes an unnecessarily tedious task.”
- “On the flipside when it does something less than well, it's always tedious and annoying.”
- “Story: story is absent, plot is unbelievable in a way that is not fanciful but just plainly something you want to ignore, dialogue is boring and tedious, characters are shallow and forgettable.”
optimization
23 mentions
35 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with most users reporting solid performance and only occasional minor framerate drops, particularly on the Steam Deck. While some players experienced performance hiccups and bugs, especially in non-combat areas or the last biome, these issues did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. The graphics were noted as visually appealing, though some felt they did not justify the performance inconsistencies.
- “Steam Deck performance was pretty solid with only a few minor drops below 60 fps, mostly in the parts where a lot of the zone was visible.”
- “Brilliant puzzles and incredibly slick and optimized.”
- “Honestly, it's a nice and chill game; optimization and gameplay are good enough for once.”
- “Fun game, terrible performance issues.”
- “It has some minor bugs, and there were occasional performance issues, but these usually happened in non-combat areas.”
- “Runs well on the Steam Deck outside of occasional stuttering in the open world.”
emotional
18 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its heartwarming character development and wholesome storytelling, creating a cozy and enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay, including feel-good combat and clever puzzles, which contribute to an emotional connection with the characters and narrative. Overall, it is described as a touching and relaxing journey that stands out in the action RPG genre.
- “One of the most touching and heartfelt games I have played in a while.”
- “The story and characters are wholesome and fun to get to know.”
- “What a wonderful wholesome experience with amazing feel-good combat and a Persona-style social link aspect of the game makes this 10x better than any other action RPG out there.”
character development
15 mentions
27 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the heartwarming aspects and the balance with combat and exploration, others criticize the lack of growth for the main character and find the designs uninspired and overly stylized. Despite the vibrant landscapes and diverse cast, the overall character design is seen as a significant drawback for some players.
- “The character development was really heart-warming; some of the conduits are really fun, and the dungeons bring a Zelda vibe into the equation.”
- “Perfect balance of combat, exploration, and character development.”
- “The character design is great, and they made a diverse cast of characters.”
- “The character designs are very uninspired, instead falling under the corporate Memphis brand of progressive quirk.”
- “Just overall don't like the character designs; low poly non-textured cell shading/dithering, etc. I do like the color palette though, at least.”
- “Through the game, she has zero character development; she stays the same woman that came to Hinterburg.”
stability
8 mentions
75 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, with users reporting a smooth experience and minimal bugs. While some glitches are noted, they are generally non-disruptive, contributing to a surprisingly bug-free experience for an indie title.
- “Surprisingly bug-free for an indie game - I haven't encountered any in my whole playthrough.”
- “Game runs great on Steam Deck, only one non-breaking bug I've noticed.”
- “Played entirely on Steam Deck so far, runs great.”
replayability
8 mentions
75 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, "Dungeons of Hinterberg" offers a mixed perspective on replayability. While some players find it engaging and enjoyable, they note that it may lack significant replay value, with a few suggesting that the game’s multiple paths and side quests do provide a fresh experience for each playthrough. Ultimately, the game is appreciated for its quality and effort, even if it may not be designed for extensive replay.
- “Dungeons of Hinterberg really feels like a game the developers care about and put a ton of effort to make a fun, replayable experience.”
- “Replayability (7/10): multiple paths and side quests to ensure each playthrough feels fresh!”
- “I really enjoyed my time in Hinterberg and while I'm not sure it's a game with much replay value, it was a pleasant and engaging time while it lasted and I'm glad to have played it.”
- “I would say the game is not replayable, but not every game needs to be.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting that social interactions often blend meaningful dialogue with lighthearted takes on real-life issues. The combination of exploration, dungeon delving, and engaging conversations with memorable characters contributes to a humorous yet impactful experience.
- “Each day is split between exploring, dungeon delving, preparation, and social interaction with meaningful and humorous dialogue with memorable characters.”
- “As the social interactions advanced, most player dialogue became meaningful, often struggling with real-life issues in humorous ways.”