Pixel Dungeon

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 484 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
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Pixel Dungeon is a roguelike game with pixel-art graphics and a simple interface, available for desktop as a port of the Android version. The objective is to explore depths, collect items, and defeat monsters to find the Amulet of Yendor. With randomly generated dungeons, the game is known for its difficulty and reliance on luck. For more information, check the Pixel Dungeon Wiki, official Facebook page, Google+ page, Tumblr blog, or Twitter.

  • Mac OS
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 484 reviews
graphics14 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Pixel Dungeon is a classic roguelike that offers a challenging and rewarding experience, with endless replayability due to its randomly generated levels.
  • The game features simple yet charming pixel graphics and a straightforward interface, making it easy to pick up and play.
  • Many players appreciate the strategic depth and variety of classes, as well as the satisfaction of mastering its difficult mechanics.
  • The PC version suffers from significant bugs, including a disappearing mouse cursor and broken achievements, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • Compared to free mobile versions and mods like Shattered Pixel Dungeon, this port lacks updates and additional content, making it feel inferior.
  • The game can be excessively punishing, with a heavy reliance on RNG that can lead to frustrating experiences for players.
  • graphics36 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a simplistic pixel art style that, while not groundbreaking, offers a nostalgic charm and functional visual cues. Players appreciate the cute and appealing design, which enhances the overall experience, especially in a rogue-like context. However, expectations for high-end visuals should be tempered, as the graphics are intentionally basic and serve the game's straightforward mechanics.

    • “The graphics are charming and look great even for pixel characters. If you have been with this for a while, you know the extra efforts put into little things like background, lighting, etc., over the bunch of updates it had since being created.”
    • “The controls are simple, the graphics nostalgic, and the soundtrack superb.”
    • “Graphics: solid and simple, very good choice for the game.”
    • “The graphics are sweet and simple, but they lack depth and detail.”
    • “Artwork is standard and does not stand out in any way.”
    • “This game tries to be a simplified Nethack with a graphic interface, but the graphics feel very basic.”
  • music30 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and simplistic, often noting that there is only one track for all dungeon levels. While some appreciate the soothing quality of the music and the sound effects, others prefer to play without background music altogether. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant drawback for many, despite a few praising its nostalgic charm.

    • “The controls are simple, the graphics nostalgic, and the soundtrack superb.”
    • “This is an awesome game, from the soundtrack to all the mysterious items you can find.”
    • “Personally, I find the music to be really soothing and the graphics remind me a lot of those from the era of Ultima V.”
    • “The music, however, is banal and repetitive.”
    • “One major con is the music... there is only one song for all levels in the dungeon.”
    • “Music is middle-of-the-road.”
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay is reminiscent of classic roguelikes and mystery dungeon games, featuring turn-based movement and combat that encourages strategic thinking. While it offers a streamlined experience with engaging mechanics and a strong RNG element in item and map generation, some players feel it lacks innovation. Overall, it provides addictive, accessible gameplay suitable for short sessions, appealing to both nostalgic players and those seeking a solid mobile experience without excessive microtransactions.

    • “You could compare the gameplay to a mystery dungeon game - the movement and combat is all paced by turns, and you're welcome to think combat through and weigh your odds.”
    • “Streamlined mechanics mean less time in inventory and more time adventuring.”
    • “It's pretty addicting gameplay.”
    • “The base gameplay is fine, but there is literally nothing new here.”
    • “An actual game on my phone that didn't try to drown me in microtransactions and had decent roguelike gameplay, though the difficulty is highly luck-based more than any skill or strategy whatsoever.”
    • “Gameplay: the sword seems largely useless, but the point of the game is using the tools you have correctly.”
  • story16 mentions

    The story in the game is described as obscure and challenging to engage with, lacking a compelling overarching quest that motivates players to continue. While the gameplay offers a unique experience with each run and the thrill of discovering new items, many players express a desire for more structured quests and a clearer narrative to enhance their experience. Comparisons to classic RPGs highlight a preference for a balance between exploration and meaningful storytelling, suggesting that additional quests and a more defined backstory could improve player engagement.

    • “The fun of finding a high-quality weapon, wand, armor, or ring always keeps me coming back for more, and how each game is really its own story with a different play style required from the player every time.”
    • “I like that this game reminds me of good old RPG types of games without forced quests to win the game and non-stop NPCs.”
    • “Even though the story is a bit obscure and difficult to grasp.”
    • “However, some hints of an overarching quest or purpose for going into the underworld would help; it is just not compelling enough to continue playing.”
    • “It even has a little bit of backstory that doesn't impose on the gameplay itself.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    The game is praised for its high replayability, with many users noting its endless nature and fun gameplay, making it a solid choice for roguelike enthusiasts. However, some players find it frustrating to master, and there are free alternatives available that may offer a better experience. Overall, the reasonable pricing and added Steam features like achievements enhance its replay value.

    • “Great replay value.”
    • “I'm glad the developer incorporated some Steam features such as achievements for additional replayability.”
    • “It has tons of replayability.”
    • “The price on Steam is very reasonable for the replayable nature of the game.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players initially find the grinding aspect enjoyable for a few hours, but it quickly becomes tedious and frustrating. The requirement to manually bind controller controls adds to the overall sense of tedium.

    • “It's fun for the first few hours, but then it gets tedious and annoying.”
    • “It is very tedious, to say the least.”
    • “First off, I'm told I have to manually bind controller controls, which is tedious, but I'm okay with that.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game demonstrates strong stability on iOS and Android platforms, with users reporting no glitches or bugs. However, the Mac version suffers from frequent crashes and issues with corrupted game saves, making the mobile versions the recommended choice for a stable experience.

    • “The mobile versions seem to be bug-free, so if you want an up-to-date version of this game, download those.”
    • “This game is incredibly fun and runs great, and is one of the few mobile ports that I have bought for PC.”
    • “I've played on iOS and Android without glitches, but the Mac version crashes constantly and game saves become corrupted.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized as hilariously cynical, providing a funny experience that can be frustrating at first until players learn how to navigate its challenges. Overall, it blends wit with a sense of dark comedy, appealing to those who appreciate a more ironic take on gaming.

    • “I find it hilariously cynical.”
    • “Funny game, it can be frustrating until you understand how to handle it.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and ads, providing a fully free experience while delivering enjoyable roguelike gameplay. Players appreciate the absence of monetization pressure, making it one of the best mobile games available.

    • “An actual game on my phone that didn't try to drown me in microtransactions and had decent roguelike gameplay.”
    • “An actual game on my phone that didn't try to drown me in microtransactions and had decent roguelike gameplay (though the difficulty is highly luck-based more than any skill or strategy whatsoever).”
    • “This is one of the best phone games I've ever seen and it's totally free and free of ads.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is noted for its excellent optimization, with multiple users reporting that it runs smoothly without any performance issues.

    • “It runs smoothly.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players report that the game evokes significant emotional turmoil, suggesting that it can be quite intense and challenging to navigate. To cope with these feelings, some users humorously recommend using unconventional methods, such as making "constipated gorilla noises," to assert control over the experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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