Dungeons of Hinterberg
- July 18, 2024
- Microbird Games
- 16h median play time
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.
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
Reviews
- Charming art style and engaging visuals that create a cozy atmosphere.
- Well-designed dungeons with clever puzzles that keep gameplay fresh and interesting.
- Fun blend of action RPG mechanics and social simulation elements, allowing for character development and relationship building.
- Combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with limited enemy variety and simplistic mechanics.
- Some players may find the pacing slow, particularly with dialogue-heavy interactions and a lack of urgency in the story.
- Auto-jump mechanics can lead to frustrating moments, as players may accidentally fall or miss platforms.
- story166 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, praised for its engaging characters and meaningful themes, particularly around the monotony of everyday life and the impact of tourism. While some players find the narrative linear and occasionally generic, others appreciate the cozy atmosphere and character interactions that enhance the overall experience. However, there are criticisms regarding clunky combat and a lack of depth in certain plot elements, leading to mixed feelings about its execution.
“Amazing game, clean combat, great puzzles, great story, and a lovely way to explore themes of adventure and how the monotony of everyday life can get to you.”
“The story is simple and enjoyable, like the theme it's like a vacation.”
“The story and characters are wholesome and fun to get to know.”
“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, characters are shallow and forgettable.”
“This is not a game, it's a visual tutorial on how to use controls or how to ignore people/story/world because they built a world so boring, so linear, so shallow, that you must believe people/story/world are also boring in real life.”
“The biggest disappointment for me was the story not because it was bad per se but they had a very good moral dilemma they introduce but then decide to just paint one side as cartoonishly evil that it ended up falling flat and disappointing.”
- gameplay141 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of dungeon exploration, puzzle-solving, and social mechanics, reminiscent of titles like Zelda and Persona. While the dungeons are creatively designed with unique mechanics, some players find the combat and overall gameplay to be simplistic and occasionally linear. Despite these criticisms, many appreciate the engaging puzzles, charming art style, and the satisfying gameplay loop that balances exploration with character interactions.
“The game centers around 25 dungeons that are all pretty well made and split into 4 different hubs that each have their own mechanics to work with.”
“The dungeon gameplay is really fun and there are some extremely creative dungeons and boss fights, especially towards the end of the game.”
“Fun exploration, puzzle solving, solid combat, lovely art style, overall a very enjoyable gameplay loop.”
“Dungeons are hella linear and the whole game has quite an unvaried gameplay.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay isn't really worth trying to 100% it.”
“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.”
- graphics118 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and vibrant art style, often described as beautiful, colorful, and reminiscent of comic book aesthetics. Many players appreciate the unique visual design and the engaging atmosphere it creates, although some express a desire for higher production values or more variety in color palettes. Overall, the art style is a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal, despite some mixed feelings about character animations and graphical performance.
“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!”
“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.”
“When you play this game, what stands out the most is how ugly the graphics are.”
“The graphics of this game are not good enough to warrant these kinds of performance issues.”
“Yes, the graphics are as bad as they look.”
- music31 mentions
- 84 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its atmospheric quality, fitting seamlessly with the game's aesthetic and enhancing the overall experience. Many players describe it as chill, dynamic, and enjoyable, with some tracks standing out as favorites. While a few found certain pieces forgettable, the majority agree that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's immersive and beautiful environment.
“The music is also super chill and nice to listen to.”
“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 phenomenal.”
“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, the day sequence plays like a version of Persona while being different enough, and the dungeons feel Zelda-like enough while being unique.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming graphics, cozy and immersive environments, and a relaxing vibe that enhances exploration and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the blend of vibrant landscapes, engaging storytelling, and atmospheric music, which collectively create a delightful experience reminiscent of a vacation or theme park adventure. While some note that certain dungeon atmospheres feel similar, the overall ambiance is considered a standout feature that complements the gameplay.
“Very beautiful graphics and atmosphere, but not my cup of coffee.”
“The atmosphere is wonderful and the characters are very interesting.”
“Only thing I'm not a fan about so far is how similar some of the dungeons' 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 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.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over unnecessary grinding achievements and a lack of engaging gameplay elements. While some appreciate the balance and depth of the game, many find certain aspects, such as combat and platforming, to be annoying and lacking momentum. Overall, the grinding experience detracts from the enjoyment, particularly in the later stages of the game.
“Changing this to negative for randomly adding obnoxious grinding achievements for no reason.”
“Which gameplay loop-wise feels a little tedious at points.”
“On the flipside when it does something less than well, it's always tedious and annoying.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its slick performance and minimal issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, while others report occasional framerate drops and performance hiccups, especially in more demanding areas. Overall, while many find the optimization satisfactory, a few users express disappointment with performance inconsistencies that detract from the experience.
“Brilliant puzzles and incredibly slick and optimized.”
“Performance-wise, the game ran quite well, with the occasional odd framerate drop.”
“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.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and wholesome narrative, with players finding the story and characters both touching and enjoyable. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke positive feelings, creating a cozy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. However, a few players noted that they occasionally felt unwell while playing, suggesting that the emotional engagement may vary among individuals.
“One of the most touching and heartfelt games I have played in a while.”
“If you have the mind to pay attention to the story, it's pretty relaxing and wholesome, and not in a contrived way.”
“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 development7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the diverse cast and vibrant character designs, others criticize the lack of growth in the protagonist and find the overall character design uninspired. The visual style, though praised for its color palette and animations, does not compensate for the perceived stagnation in character arcs. Overall, the balance of combat, exploration, and character development varies significantly among players' experiences.
“Perfect balance of combat, exploration, and character development.”
“The character design is great and they made a diverse cast of characters.”
“Vibrant landscapes, beautiful animations on abilities, and excellent character design.”
“Its very visually-stylized, which works for the setting, but 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.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is commendable, particularly on the Steam Deck, where players report smooth performance and minimal bugs. While some glitches are noted, they are generally non-intrusive, contributing to a surprisingly bug-free experience for an indie title.
“Played entirely on Steam Deck so far; it runs great.”
“Surprisingly bug-free for an indie game - I haven't encountered any bugs in my whole playthrough.”
“The game runs great on Steam Deck; I've only noticed one non-breaking bug.”
“Despite the linear level design and a few glitches, I'm enjoying this game.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it hard to progress.”
“I encountered several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, "Dungeons of Hinterberg" offers a mix of opinions on replayability; while some players find it engaging and enjoyable, they question its long-term replay value. However, others appreciate the multiple paths and side quests that contribute to a fresh experience in each playthrough, indicating a level of replayability that some players may find satisfying.
“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 would say the game is not replayable, but not every game needs to be.”
“Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel pointless.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is woven into meaningful dialogues with memorable characters, blending lighthearted moments with deeper reflections on real-life issues. Players appreciate the balance of exploration, dungeon delving, and social interactions that enhance the comedic elements throughout the 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 tackling real-life issues in humorous ways.”
Critic Reviews
Dungeons of Hinterberg (PC) Review
Dungeons of Hinterberg feels like a fresh breath of the Austrian Alps as it recontextualizes familiar action-RPG elements in a charming and modern feeling adventure.
80%Dungeons of Hinterberg Review - Airbrushed Brochure
A flowery, gorgeous world that is enthralling to listen to, but abrasive to interact with, to the point where its structure can confuse players with its intent.
55%Dungeons Of Hinterberg Review – A Nordic Slaycation With A Little Magic
Though Dungeons of Hinterberg falters to execute on some minor details and its broader narrative never coalesces with the gameplay, its breathtaking art design, heartful character writing, and addictive gameplay loop make this a solid action-adventure RPG with a great sense of magic.
70%