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Shattered Pixel Dungeon

92%Game Brain Score
monetization, gameplay
grinding, stability
92% User Score Based on 6,100 reviews

Platforms

AndroidAndroidMobile PlatformMobile PlatformPhonePhoneTabletTablet

About

A roguelike dungeon crawler RPG that's simple to get into but hard to master!

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot
Shattered Pixel Dungeon screenshot

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,100 reviews
monetization400 positive mentions
grinding26 negative mentions

  • An absolute masterpiece of a game, not just a mobile game but within games in general.
  • Highly rewarding to beat the game after many runs, with tons of content to explore.
  • No ads or pay-to-win items, making it a truly free game with no strings attached.
  • The game can be extremely difficult, especially in the early levels, leading to frustration.
  • Randomness in item drops and enemy encounters can make progress feel unfair.
  • Lack of a save feature means players must restart from the beginning after each death.
  • monetization
    652 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is highly praised, with users consistently noting the absence of ads, pay-to-win elements, and microtransactions. Players appreciate that the game is completely free to play, with optional donation options to support the developer, allowing for an uninterrupted and enjoyable gaming experience. This approach has garnered significant respect from the community, making it a standout title in a market often filled with aggressive monetization tactics.

    • “I immediately bought the highest support tier when I saw that the developer is just dropping this incredible game on the Play Store completely for free with no ads or limitations anywhere.”
    • “The fact that there's no ads, it's completely free, and it's just fun in general.”
    • “No ads, no pay-to-win, endless replayability, a proper challenge, and one of the only games I've placed a review on.”
    • “In the world where gacha games and bad ads cash grab slops dominated the mobile games market, this game comes out and stays as one of a kind in this environment.”
    • “Warning: if you are looking for an unpolished game filled with ads, game-breaking bugs, cheap mind-numbing gameplay, a hard to use interface unsuited for touchscreens, and premium currency so you can buy your way through to the end, then look elsewhere!”
    • “This game is as fun as it gets, without ads, or payment.”
  • gameplay
    584 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this game is widely praised for its addictive and engaging nature, combining simple mechanics with deep strategic elements that encourage exploration and learning. Players appreciate the turn-based system, which allows for thoughtful decision-making, and the variety of unique mechanics and character classes that enhance replayability. While the game presents a steep learning curve and can be challenging, many find the experience rewarding as they master the intricacies of the gameplay.

    • “This game is spiritually very close to the original pixel dungeon, but almost every aspect of gameplay has been overhauled to make it more fun and interesting.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's both engaging and rewarding, especially if you know how to use and adapt to each dungeon level.”
    • “The gameplay is surprisingly deep and offers a ton of variety with its classes and subclasses, as well as the equipment.”
    • “The gameplay is bad, though.”
    • “Be prepared to fail repeatedly, google for combat mechanics, never have the strength to use the items you pick up, have to guess every time what scrolls or potions do, be ambushed and then cornered by multiple mobs, deal with a starving mechanic without barely any food dropping, and many other issues.”
    • “The one glaring flaw of this game is a lack of documentation on game mechanics.”
  • replayability
    203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its procedurally generated dungeons, diverse subclasses, and constant updates that introduce new content and mechanics. Players consistently highlight the addictive nature of the game, with each run offering unique experiences and challenges, making it a standout in the roguelike genre. Overall, the combination of depth, variety, and strategic gameplay ensures that players return time and again for fresh adventures.

    • “The random generation of dungeons makes this game highly replayable, so every new game is a new experience.”
    • “I'm really digging the genre, and the replayability is insane - random level generation, random drops, etc. and this is what makes the game so addictive.”
    • “This game has amazing replayability due to the random generation of the dungeons and you have to use some strategy to make it to the end.”
    • “That kind of futility kills replayability for me, and thus I give up on this game.”
    • “I enjoyed the game though I wish there were more levels or a different setting option to add even more replayability.”
    • “The updates also add a lot to the replayability.”
  • graphics
    154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are predominantly described as charming and nostalgic, featuring a pixel art style that resonates well with fans of retro games. Many users appreciate the simplicity and clarity of the visuals, noting that they enhance the overall gameplay experience despite not being cutting-edge. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant improvement over the original, contributing positively to the game's appeal while maintaining a classic dungeon crawler aesthetic.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and the game as a whole runs so smoothly.”
    • “The pixel graphics are nostalgic and the mechanics are actually quite deep.”
    • “The graphics and presentation are pretty crisp and satisfying for a pixel game!”
    • “The graphics aren't kind to the eyes.”
    • “If the graphics in the game were something special then I could understand it, but it really is just one step above an old text-based adventure game.”
    • “The graphics are meh but the game itself.”
  • music
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising its catchy and fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, particularly during boss battles. However, some users express dissatisfaction with the repetitiveness of the tracks and a desire for the option to switch back to the original music, which they feel better suited the game's atmosphere. Overall, while the music is generally appreciated, there are calls for more variety and customization options to cater to different player preferences.

    • “The music is amazing and sets the tone extremely well.”
    • “I'm officially in love with this game.. pixel art 10/10, music 10/10, the whole atmosphere is mesmerizing, I wish I could give more than 5.”
    • “The soundtrack rocks, especially for the boss battles.”
    • “I think my only real issue is the music.”
    • “The music is getting repetitive, haha.”
    • “My only complaint is that there's just one background song repeating over and over (at least in the beginning levels, I haven't gotten too far yet) which becomes irritating after a while.”
  • story
    69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as engaging yet simple, with players appreciating the retro style and the gradual unfolding of lore through gameplay and optional notes. While many enjoy the narrative elements and the challenge of quests, there are calls for deeper storytelling, more character development, and additional quests to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the story complements the gameplay, but players express a desire for more content and complexity in the narrative.

    • “This game is proof that a good story doesn't require the best graphics in the world.”
    • “The world-building and story are so interesting to dive into, and I love the designs of each different floor, bosses, monsters, and the playable characters.”
    • “There's story baked in, strategy, plenty of different play styles, and an active development team actively trying to make the game even better.”
    • “It's got some mild story to it, but the focus is just the gameplay, which is quick and fun. However, if you want to win, you really have to work for it (and get lucky to some extent, since it's a RNG game).”
    • “I would enjoy the game more if it had a little more lore to explain the story behind the dungeon and the characters.”
    • “The gameplay experience is good, but the game feels kind of pointless. If you die, that's it; you need to start another game, which is tedious. It needs some kind of story.”
  • grinding
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews on the aspect of "grinding" highlight a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the depth and sense of accomplishment that comes from resource management and learning through failure, others find the repetitive nature of grinding tedious and frustrating, especially when it leads to frequent deaths and loss of progress. The balance between challenge and enjoyment is noted, with some praising the game's addictive qualities despite its grind-heavy mechanics, while others call for improvements to reduce tedium and enhance gameplay flow. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as both a core feature and a potential drawback, depending on individual player preferences.

    • “No ads, no grinding gameplay, and you can play offline!”
    • “I'm sure you can get lucky and beat it, but it's gotten tedious and tiresome for me personally.”
    • “I know that people are going to just tell me that it is a skill issue, but let me explain: this game is the most tedious game I have ever played.”
    • “The ridiculously high encounter rate for enemies is more tedious than fun, especially with the ranged enemies in large rooms.”
  • humor
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is often highlighted as a standout feature, with players finding both the game itself and the one-star reviews amusing. Many appreciate the creative and surprising elements that contribute to a lighthearted experience, while others note that the game's humor enhances its engaging gameplay, making it enjoyable despite its challenges. Overall, the game successfully combines difficulty with a sense of fun, appealing to those who appreciate a comedic touch in their gaming experience.

    • “Some elements you can expect, while others are hilariously surprising.”
    • “I could play it for hours; attention to dungeon elements and a good sense of humor make this dungeon experience just *chef's kiss*. If you're looking for a simple dungeon to scratch that itch, play this and you'll never need another.”
    • “This game is awesome; its difficulty is similar to Dark Souls but at the same time very funny, and despite some rage moments, you still want to play it.”
    • “Not funny.”
  • stability
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players report a generally stable experience with minimal bugs, particularly praising the game's updates and smooth mechanics. However, some users have noted specific issues, such as UI bugs on certain devices and lag after recent updates, indicating that while the game is mostly well-made, it still has areas that require improvement.

    • “Well made, bug-free, and it keeps being updated every time I come back.”
    • “I had no glitches, no ads, just a really fun time figuring out all the mechanics, and there are a lot of them!”
    • “The game runs smoothly with no glitches!”
    • “It used to be a good game, but after the new update, it lags like crazy and glitches constantly.”
    • “The UI handling on an S21+ 5G is a little buggy, though I understand this game is a work in progress.”
    • “I wish the fire was a bit less buggy, though.”
  • optimization
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users praise the game's optimization, highlighting its smooth performance even on older and low-powered devices. The intuitive controls and lack of ads contribute to a positive experience, with many noting significant improvements since previous versions. The game is considered well-designed for mobile, offering a solid performance that enhances its replayability.

    • “No ads, no pay-to-win or pay-to-play mechanics, and incredible performance on older devices.”
    • “Possibly the best game on mobile, very optimized and strategic.”
    • “A genuinely good game, that runs smoothly on low powered devices.”
    • “Please, maybe a bit more optimization?”
    • “Well-designed game that's reminiscent of PC games, but it needs better optimization for this platform.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a mix of frustration and emotional investment in the game, highlighting the tension between the desire to progress and the fear of losing their progress after breaks. The game's challenging nature and visible progression evoke a sense of achievement, making it both captivating and emotionally engaging, despite some players deciding to step away due to the stress of potential setbacks. Overall, it is seen as a rewarding experience that balances challenge with emotional resonance.

    • “One of the most challenging, frustratingly inviting, and emotionally captivating games you can play for free.”
    • “This game has visible progression, which made me feel like I was constantly improving.”
    • “Great game, no ads, hours of gameplay, just good wholesome offline fun.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its realism and spookiness, enhanced by high-quality pixel art and music that many find mesmerizing. However, some users feel that certain elements, like the music, do not align well with the overall atmosphere, suggesting that improvements could be made to enhance the experience further. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a standout feature that captivates players.

    • “Very atmospheric!”
    • “Like a realistic atmosphere.”
    • “I'm officially in love with this game. Pixel art 10/10, music 10/10, the whole atmosphere is mesmerizing; I wish I could give more than 5.”
    • “This new music does not fit the atmosphere.”
    • “Wouldn't be a hard change to make, but would give the game a better atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere: spooky food; that food tasted okay, service: bad near the bottom of the dungeon.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users express a desire for more in-depth character development, specifically mentioning the need for enhanced attributes and the inclusion of a softcore mode with respawn options.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to truly connect with their characters and see them evolve throughout the story.”
    • “I love how the game offers various paths for character growth, making each playthrough feel unique and personal.”
    • “The depth of character backstories and the choices that affect their development really enhance the overall experience.”
    • “I wish there was deeper character development, such as more attributes to customize.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression.”
    • “I was hoping for a more engaging character development system, but it fell flat.”

Buy Shattered Pixel Dungeon

8h Median play time
10h Average play time
20h Main story
200h Completionist
2-21h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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