Theden

About

Theden is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Papermonger LLC and was released on September 1, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

While this world may lack the normal human problems of hunger, fatigue, and death, it's not without its own set of issues. The world's inhabitants, Zens, constantly fight and bicker, forming clubs and factions as they strive against each other for wealth, power, and influence. The worst of these is The Engineer, a madwoman hidden away in the distant Sky Castle, who stirs up conflict with her army …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

music3 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Theden features a unique and charming aesthetic with a handcrafted paper design that adds character to the game.
The gameplay offers great depth and variety, allowing players to switch between multiple classes and customize their gear, enhancing replayability.
The music and overall vibe create a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere, making it easy for players to immerse themselves in the game.

The game may require a significant amount of grinding to level up and collect items, which might not appeal to all players.
Some players may find the initial learning curve challenging as they navigate the various systems and mechanics.
The dynamic difficulty adjustment, while convenient, may not provide enough challenge for those seeking a more intense gaming experience.

story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story in "theden" is engaging, featuring a quest system that encourages exploration and character progression through combat and crafting. Players appreciate the blend of unique stylized visuals and a narrative that motivates them to complete missions and enhance their abilities, reminiscent of classic side-scrolling platformers. Overall, the game offers a satisfying mix of storytelling and gameplay mechanics that keeps players invested.
- “I’ve only played a bit, but The Den definitely scratches that itch of a game where you want to find out more of the story, kill enemies, do quests, and find more gear in hopes of progressing your character and the classes you can switch between to become stronger and see the damage numbers go up.”
- “If you enjoy unique stylized games with a story and some grinding, you'll enjoy The Den.”
- “I’ve only played a bit, but the game definitely scratches that itch of a game where you want to find out more of the story, kill enemies, do quests, and find more gear in hopes of progressing your character and the classes you can switch between to become stronger and see the damage numbers go up.”
- “With a callback to side-scrolling platform fighting in a similar vein of Maple Story, this single-player game takes things in a different direction artistically.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in the game is widely praised for its lovely and peaceful qualities, enhancing the overall experience with relaxing tracks that evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of games like Minecraft. Players express a strong appreciation for the current music and look forward to more tracks as development progresses.
- “The music and the visuals just make it nice to play.”
- “Lovely and peaceful music!”
- “Music is relaxing and reminds me of Minecraft.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, particularly due to the randomization of gear, which encourages multiple playthroughs and varied experiences.
- “I love the RNG on the gear, which adds to the replayability.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- “Each playthrough feels unique, making it hard to put the game down.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the grinding aspect in "theden," noting that it complements the unique stylized gameplay and engaging story, making it enjoyable for those who like a bit of grind in their gaming experience.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I found the grinding mechanics to be repetitive and uninspired, which detracted from the overall experience.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The gameplay involves battling waves of enemies to level up and collect equipment, which many players find satisfying, particularly due to the class swapping feature.
- “The gameplay requires spending time fighting waves of enemies to level up and collect drops, but those who enjoy it will find the equipment collecting and class swapping to be satisfying.”
- “The gameplay requires spending a lot of time fighting waves of enemies to level up and get drops, which can feel repetitive and grindy.”
- “While the equipment collecting and class swapping can be satisfying for some, the overall gameplay lacks variety and can become tedious.”
- “The combat mechanics feel clunky and unresponsive, making the gameplay experience frustrating at times.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are praised for their unique aesthetic, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience alongside the music.
- “The music and the visuals just make it nice to play.”
- “Very unique game with a distinct aesthetic.”