One Deck Dungeon
- May 26, 2018
- Handelabra Games Inc.
- 13h median play time
One Deck Dungeon is a fast-paced dungeon crawler game for 1-2 players. Choose a hero, explore rooms, battle monsters, and level up with a single deck of cards and dice. With each play, heroes progress towards unlocking new abilities and items, providing a unique experience each time. The game offers a condensed roguelike experience, prioritizing quick and exciting gameplay.
Reviews
- Fun and engaging gameplay with a good mix of strategy and luck.
- Great adaptation of the physical board game, making it easier to play without the hassle of setup.
- High replayability with various characters and dungeons to explore.
- Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating experiences, especially in early runs.
- Limited variety in encounters and characters can make the game feel repetitive over time.
- User interface can be confusing, and the tutorial lacks clarity on some mechanics.
- gameplay96 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and a strong reliance on dice rolls, making it accessible yet occasionally frustrating due to its RNG elements. While it mirrors the original board game effectively, players may find the experience repetitive and the learning curve steep, particularly with the tutorial's lack of clarity. Overall, it offers engaging strategic decisions and a fun, albeit basic, gaming experience that appeals to fans of dice manipulation and board game adaptations.
“An interesting dice game with nice mechanics and plenty of scope for creativity in how to modify and maximize your dice pool, whilst managing your risks.”
“The gameplay itself is pretty interesting, leading to both interesting strategic decisions and frantic dice-shuffling during the fights.”
“The core gameplay loop is very engaging, with the key being to manage enemy encounters and skills wisely in order to mitigate the inevitable RNG of dice rolls, which gives a satisfying level of strategy.”
“It's cheap entertainment though the mechanics are simple and animations are basic.”
“Gameplay is highly repetitive after the first dungeon.”
“I hate to say it, but I want to play a game, not comb through pages and pages of written tutorials which fail to explain the mechanics in a logical way.”
- music43 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as low-quality, repetitive, and reminiscent of cheap MIDI tracks. While some appreciate its nostalgic charm and fitting atmosphere, the consensus is that it detracts from the overall experience, leading many to recommend muting it in favor of personal playlists. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's otherwise enjoyable mechanics.
“The art and music fit the mood; they're reminiscent of 'retro but not too retro' RPGs of the late 90s and early 00s.”
“The music and sound effects are appropriate for this game.”
“The tutorial makes it easy to learn, and the fantastic music adds to the experience.”
“Worst 8-bit dog-shit soundtrack ever.”
“It's written well, but they went with cheap MIDI sounding music that can be grating after a while.”
“The game is a lot of fun as a roguelike puzzle game, so the rather lackluster music is unfortunate.”
- replayability40 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a strong replayability factor due to its diverse character options, multiple dungeons, and strategic gameplay elements, allowing players to experiment with different combinations and strategies. However, some users noted that the reliance on luck and the potential for the game to become too easy over time may diminish long-term replay value. The addition of DLC content further enhances replayability, providing new heroes and challenges for players to explore.
“Mixing and matching characters, dungeons, skills, gear, and difficulty levels makes for a ton of replay value, especially with the very modestly priced DLC.”
“The progression system and multiple characters give this game great depth and a high replay value.”
“I really like the roguelike aspect as well - it adds a lot of replayability, as your characters gradually get stronger and can tackle harder dungeons.”
“There's a lot of replay value due to the multiple dungeons and characters available; however, there's just too much luck involved to truly enjoy it.”
“The implementation itself is pretty good though, it's just too bad the replayability is so poor that I cannot give this a thumbs up.”
“I've played this for around 10 hours, but I feel the replayability of this game is quite low after you've played long enough; the game becomes too easy as you level up your characters.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simple and functional, fitting the board game aesthetic rather than pushing technological boundaries. While some users find the artwork appealing and easy to read, others criticize the graphics as subpar or reminiscent of outdated designs. Overall, the visuals serve their purpose but may not satisfy those seeking high-quality graphics.
“Art style is visually appealing and easy to read.”
“The dice rolling sound effects are so satisfying, and the artwork is my jam.”
“The graphics and animations are clean.”
“The graphics are like the game was created in Word Art in 2001; music and sound are really simple, yet there is something in this game that keeps drawing me back to fill more of those different colored fields by different colored numbers on dice.”
“If the connection isn't high quality, the game makes up for it by killing the graphics quality, which makes the cards - which are like half the game - unreadable.”
“I love the game, but the graphical layout looks like it was designed for a tablet and not PC, especially in 2 player mode.”
- story19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a significant lack of story in the game, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of a campaign or narrative elements. Critics note that the gameplay feels linear and repetitive, lacking character development and engaging objectives, which diminishes the overall experience. Some hope for future updates to introduce more story-driven content and RPG elements to enhance the game's depth.
“At least 'Sentinels of the Multiverse', their other game, had the narrative aspect with some sort of emergent storytelling.”
“Long run, this will have much more replay value once the character/story features go live.”
“If there was a table of talents and a different storyline or something (like magic), it would have been a fantastic game. I hope they will consider it for a One Deck Dungeon 2!”
“There is no story mode or campaign.”
“There is no story, no map, and minimal character development that carries over from one 'adventure' to the next.”
“For a game with no real story, drama, or characters to invest in, it's a way of adding extra tension into what might otherwise be a completely throw-away experience.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the challenge it brings and the replayability it offers. Many express frustration over the lack of character diversity and the necessity of grinding to unlock content, though some enjoy the gradual improvement in gameplay as they progress. Overall, the experience of grinding can vary significantly depending on individual preferences for RNG and roguelike mechanics.
“Nice puzzle, but too much grinding required to see additional content.”
“One Deck Dungeon is a clever, yet poorly implemented luck-driven game with long, grindy, repetitive dungeons.”
“I hoped for some interesting unlocks but... all the characters have the same progression and it's pretty grindy.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting minor glitches and graphic issues, particularly during encounters that can cause freezing and require restarts. However, others have found the gameplay mechanics to be solid, indicating that experiences may vary. Overall, while it offers light entertainment, stability concerns may detract from the experience for some players.
“The game does still have some graphic glitches, and it's really annoying that you can't undo after selecting a skill or end reward.”
“Every time I click on a door to encounter, it freezes. I have to restart the game to continue with the encounter.”
“Some minor glitches and weird decisions hold this back, but if you're looking for something light and quick to entertain yourself with or do in the background, I very much enjoyed it.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and well-designed user interface, contributing to a positive gaming experience. While some players may find ways to optimize their strategies for harder modes, the game remains enjoyable and well-presented in its physical form.
“I'm sure some accountant type could come up with an optimized, min-maxing way to do it that would let you tear through it on hard mode.”
“I've played the physical version since then, and there is nothing missing; the UI and performance of the game itself are great.”
“The game runs smoothly, and while my dice roll ones and twos more often than not, I think this is a very well-presented game.”
“The game feels poorly optimized, leading to frustrating performance issues even on high-end hardware.”
“I encountered frequent frame drops and stuttering, which made the gameplay experience less enjoyable.”
“Despite the potential for a great experience, the lack of optimization really holds the game back.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game includes in-game purchases and multiple DLCs, but players feel that the content added is minimal and not worth the investment, leading to dissatisfaction and a lack of incentive to spend more money.
“The game offers a variety of in-game purchases that enhance the experience without feeling mandatory.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model allows for optional content, making it accessible for players who prefer not to spend extra.”
“The DLCs provide additional content that feels worthwhile, rather than just being microtransactions.”
“They have in-game purchases, but I got bored after only a few unlocks. So why would I spend even more money on this game?”
“But now the game is already out of early access without much added content and has 5 DLCs already, which are nothing short of microtransactions without adding much to the game either.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is somewhat limited due to the repetitive nature of the dungeons, which utilize the same set of encounter cards. Variations are primarily introduced through different final bosses and their associated atmospheric effects, along with optional "fiends" that can enhance the ambiance.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with its rich details and haunting soundscapes.”
“Each dungeon feels unique thanks to the atmospheric effects that enhance the final boss encounters, making every playthrough feel fresh.”
“The combination of eerie visuals and ambient sounds creates a tension-filled atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is largely absent, with players noting a lack of story and continuity between adventures, resulting in minimal growth or progression for the characters.
“There is no story, no map, and minimal character development that carries over from one 'adventure' to the next.”
“The characters feel flat and lack any meaningful growth throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of depth in character arcs; they don't evolve in any significant way.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the emotional aspect of the game to be somewhat lacking, describing it as plain and failing to create a sense of immersion.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its clever commentary, particularly poking fun at industry trends, such as EA's previous claims about the decline of single-player games. This self-referential wit adds a layer of enjoyment for players.
“Funny, I could've sworn EA said single-player games were dead.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”