The Dweller
- May 19, 2016
- Plug In Digital
- 2h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"The Dweller" is a strategy survival game where players delve deep into a generated dungeon, gathering resources, battling monsters, and upgrading their gear. As the dweller, players must balance the need for exploration and resource gathering with the risk of encountering dangerous foes. With permanent death and a variety of difficulty settings, each playthrough offers a unique challenge.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The Dweller offers a unique and refreshing twist on the puzzle genre, allowing players to embody a monster and creatively eliminate archaeologists.
- The game features a well-paced difficulty curve, introducing new mechanics gradually while keeping the puzzles engaging and satisfying to solve.
- The atmospheric music and storytelling through diary entries enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable despite its short length.
- The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in just a few hours, which may leave some feeling unsatisfied.
- Some levels can feel repetitive, and the final levels may lack the challenge and complexity found in earlier stages.
- The graphics and overall aesthetic are minimalistic and may not appeal to everyone, leading to a lack of visual variety throughout the game.
- gameplay75 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a steady introduction of new puzzle mechanics that keep the experience fresh and engaging, with a well-balanced difficulty curve that rewards players for overcoming challenges. While the mechanics are simple and easy to grasp, they evolve in complexity, allowing for creative problem-solving. However, some players noted that certain mechanics could have been explored further, and the difficulty can be inconsistent at times. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of intriguing puzzles and enjoyable mechanics, making it a solid choice for puzzle enthusiasts.
“The gameplay is very simple; challenges can get difficult at times, but they make you feel really rewarded once you complete them.”
“The concept is intriguing; gameplay and level design are handled well, making it fun to play!”
“As you progress, new mechanics and more complex puzzles are introduced, so things are kept fresh and don't stagnate.”
“The gameplay is very simple, challenges can get difficult at times, but they make you feel really rewarded once you complete them.”
“Enjoyable and simple but the difficulty is very inconsistent (disregarding the levels introducing new mechanics) it spikes a lot.”
“I feel like some new mechanics were introduced a bit too late and not explored as much as I'd prefer (like the portals and the stealth stages toward the end), but if you go into this with reasonable expectations, you'll more than get your money's worth.”
- story55 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "The Dweller" is a blend of engaging lore and puzzle-solving, revealed through journal entries and notes that unfold as players progress through the levels. While the narrative offers intriguing twists and a macabre atmosphere, some reviewers noted that it becomes messy and rushed towards the end, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its brevity and occasional clichés, the story is generally well-received for its ability to enhance the gameplay and maintain player interest.
“The dweller is a fun puzzle platformer with an interesting story.”
“As you clean the ancient house, you’ll come across research notes and letters regarding their mission, and you’ll be able to follow along as the situation escalates in a direction you might not expect.”
“The atmosphere and sounds of the game are brilliant and add flawlessly to the mood of the story.”
“The only two issues I have with this game are a boring color/model design and the plot that gets really messy towards the end - it's quite literal and anyone can get it, but the ending definitely feels too dull and rushed.”
“The story, told through the archaeologists’ notes found after certain levels, was unobjectionable but fairly cliché: the characters spend ages insisting nothing is wrong and everyone’s just being superstitious, even up to the midpoint of the game where you must have killed most of the expedition.”
“The story provided by the unlocked notes is not helping as well.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and lacking in variety, with a minimalist aesthetic that evokes a retro feel reminiscent of 90s PC games. While some reviewers note that the visuals may appear cheap or basic, they effectively contribute to the game's atmosphere and overall experience, making it enjoyable despite the graphical limitations. Overall, the graphics receive mixed feedback, with some appreciating the unique art style while others desire more visual diversity.
“The graphics are simple but good looking.”
“Art style is great - totally gives me SNES feels, bravo!”
“First of all, the dweller scores a mega-hit in the atmosphere department, where the bleak visuals, the moody music, and the to-the-point representation of the game's protagonist work perfectly together to put the player in the mood of an eldritch cave system haunted by something horrible.”
“The graphics are minimalist and there is zero visual variety across its short, 2 hour play time.”
“The (admittedly very cheap-looking) graphics have a fittingly dreary tone.”
“Cons: music is kind of bland, as well as the art style being slightly dull.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating blend of dark, macabre elements and charming storytelling, enhanced by effective audio and level design. Players appreciate the way the visuals and soundscape create an immersive experience that complements the puzzle mechanics, despite some noting the graphics as basic. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, drawing players into its eerie and engaging world.
“The audio provides an exceedingly good atmosphere.”
“I found myself surprisingly captivated by the game's atmosphere.”
“Despite basic graphics, the music, sound effects, and game actions create a dark, macabre, and sinister atmosphere that fits the game theme very well.”
“First of all, the dweller scores a mega-hit in the atmosphere department, where the bleak visuals, the moody music, and the to-the-point representation of the game's protagonist work perfectly together to put the player in the mood of an eldritch cave system haunted by something horrible.”
“The letters that you unlock add a lot to the game's eerie atmosphere and drive you to keep playing.”
- music18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as atmospheric and fitting for its dark themes, effectively enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms of repetitiveness and monotony. While many players appreciate the ambient soundscapes that contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere, some feel that the music could benefit from more variety and the option to adjust volume levels. Overall, it successfully complements the gameplay, though opinions on its quality vary.
“The music and sound effects enhance this effect.”
“Despite basic graphics, the music, sound effects, and game actions create a dark, macabre, and sinister atmosphere that fits the game theme very well.”
“First of all, the dweller scores a mega-hit in the atmosphere department, where the bleak visuals, the moody music, and the to-the-point representation of the game's protagonist work perfectly together to put the player in the mood of an eldritch cave system haunted by something horrible.”
“The music is ominous and low-key.”
“If the background music sticks with the atmosphere of the scenario, it is the only thing that didn't please me, as it is way too monotonous to me.”
“Cons: music is kind of bland, as well as the art style being slightly dull.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its unique and dark humor, effectively blending funny puzzles with engaging lore notes that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements, particularly the quirky characters and amusing writing, making it a recommended choice for those with a taste for unconventional humor. While the graphics and sound may not be top-tier, they contribute to the game's entertaining atmosphere.
“A funny and original puzzle game with interesting lore notes.”
“Funny little puzzle game; you should buy it if you want to kill some time or just need a quick laugh.”
“The graphics and sound, while not exactly AAA level, add to that darkly humorous atmosphere, as do some journal notes you unlock along the way.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's mouse controls function effectively, though some users experienced occasional performance issues, such as difficulty moving objects. However, these problems were generally minor and did not significantly impact gameplay or level progression.
“The game is controlled entirely with the mouse, and it all works rather well. There were some performance problems where I couldn't move a rock I was possessing, but a few clicks remedied that, and there was never any time where that issue caused me to fail a level.”
“The game is controlled entirely with the mouse, and while it works well overall, I encountered performance issues that prevented me from moving a rock I was possessing. A few clicks fixed it, but it was frustrating nonetheless.”
“The optimization is lacking; I often experience lag during critical moments, which can lead to frustrating gameplay.”
“Despite the interesting mechanics, the game suffers from severe optimization problems that make it nearly unplayable at times.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability with 59 levels that can be completed in multiple ways, alongside 30 unlockable story documents. Its engaging old-school graphics and competitive pricing further enhance its value, making it a worthwhile purchase.
“With 59 levels to beat and around 30 storytelling documents to unlock, the replayability is great as many can be completed in several ways. The good old-school graphics and competitive price make this a worthwhile purchase, especially considering it's the first game from its creator, Villainous Games.”
“The variety of choices and paths you can take in this game ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making you want to dive back in for more.”
“The game offers multiple endings and different strategies to explore, which keeps the experience exciting and encourages you to replay it to see everything it has to offer.”
