Boyfriend Dungeon

 PC
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. RPG Fan
    Sep 7, 2021
    81
    Despite some minor flaws, I rather enjoyed Boyfriend Dungeon. At around five to eight hours long, it might be a bit on the short side for those expecting the lengthier content of most dungeon crawlers, but I felt the length was perfect for conveying the story Kitfox Games wanted to tell. Fans of outright challenging games might want to look elsewhere, but those more interested in story and narrative choice with enjoyable-albeit-simple gameplay might want to give this game a look. Getting attached to your weapons takes on a whole new and surprisingly welcome meaning here!
  2. Guardian
    Aug 19, 2021
    80
    It’s a jokey concept, but this dating game/dungeon crawler deals with everything from stalking to polyamory with admirable frankness.
  3. TierraGamer
    Aug 26, 2021
    76
    Boyfriend Dungeon is a dating sim combined with a stereotype-busting dungeon video game. Pitifully, the good script, music and character design contrast with the dungeon design that does not have the same level of quality.
  5. Launcher (The Washington Post)
    Aug 31, 2021
    75
    Perhaps it’s a good sign that Boyfriend Dungeon leaves players wanting more — it means that it’s compelling, even if only for a short time.
  6. GameGrin
    Aug 23, 2021
    75
    Despite the game sending a conflicting message about its main theme, it mostly handles a difficult topic well. The combat is fun, albeit limited, but you’re likely to enjoy your stay in the dunj.
  7. GameStar
    Jan 24, 2022
    74
    Boyfriend Dungeon offers a fresh take on dating sims but skimps on scope and storytelling.
  8. CD-Action
    Nov 15, 2021
    70
    An interesting, solid genre hybrid that could use a greater weapon variety and would benefit from adding more content. [11/2021, p.76]
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  9. Twinfinite
    Aug 25, 2021
    70
    I was pretty satisfied with my overall experience with Boyfriend Dungeon when the end of the summer rolled. The writing was solid, and I ended up caring about a lot of the relationships that were formed. It is just a shame that the somewhat lacking combat and issues with a couple of the characters and situations arise that end up bogging the game down a bit.
  10. Jeuxvideo.com
    Aug 22, 2021
    70
    Boyfriend Dungeon is worth the detour for its very catchy concept alone. After all, what other game will have you dating half-man, half-weapon people that you can wield in dungeons? The first hours of the Kitfox Games title are very eye-catching. But the studio struggles to keep the fun going. This is due to the dates that drag on and the phases of action that generally lack diversity, both for the "dunjs" and for the weapons on offer. However, it is hard to imagine not recommending Boyfriend Dungeon if you are looking for a refreshing title. A nice surprise.
  11. Game Informer
    Aug 18, 2021
    70
    Overall, Boyfriend Dungeon is an enjoyable experience for fans of both roguelikes and visual novels. I like that it gives you the option to make the adventure live up to the romance simulator hype, or just meet some great characters to become friends. Boyfriend Dungeon offers a charming gameplay experience despite its simplistic mechanics and redundant enemies. With more characters teased for the future, I can’t wait to dive in to see what’s next.
  12. Noisy Pixel
    Aug 17, 2021
    70
    Conclusively, while I certainly enjoyed my time with Boyfriend Dungeon, the sudden end to its narrative and the half-empty world map left me feeling like I had just finished an Early Access game rather than a full experience. I don’t generally have an issue with brevity in games, but the end to this one just left me craving more because I loved the cast, the representation, and the addictive leveling system. I definitely recommend this title to those who want to dip their toes in the water of dating sims, but a lack of challenge and a rather shallow conclusion end up holding it back from being a must-play experience.
  13. IGN
    Aug 13, 2021
    60
    Boyfriend Dungeon offers a fun spin on the dating sim formula, but its roguelite parts don't always mix well with developing romance. Being uncomfortably close to the antagonist dulls Boyfriend Dungeon too.
  14. Games.cz
    Oct 4, 2021
    50
    A visual novel of two halves - a bland, awkward, ordinary storyline and boring action sequences. This is as forgettable as they come.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Aug 12, 2021
    That's kind of par for the course in dating sims, though, innit? You get to smooch who you like. That's the thrill! If it's a good dating sim, it'll trick you into feeling like there are consequences, and because Boyfriend Dungeon is very good at that. I also stand by my assessment that because of the additional literal layer to "using" characters, it is the most realistic video game romances have ever been) I was just sort of expecting to be called out at the end. I deserved it! And I'm a bit sad that I wasn't. It turns out that truly, the biggest weapon of all... was me. But if you like dating sims, this is a rollicking good time that offers more action and less passivity than your standard genre stuff. All I want from Boyfriend Dungeon is, basically, more of it. Better, faster, stronger. Sharper...

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 10 out of 25
  1. Confused_Panda
    Aug 15, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I have decided to create an account just to warn people about this game. It does not deserve a very positive rating on Steam nor praise. As for the reasons why... let's start with the dungeon-crawling part:
    - Let's start with the most pragmatic side of the whole game: dungeons. They are incredibly short and for the price of a full game, you can complete it in under 2 hours
    - the weapons attacks are unimaginative and involve spamming of two skills
    - you -can- kill opponents through the walls and defeat them with no effort. Not to mention, there are around 3 different enemy types (excluding da final boss) with unique attacks. That's it. Three types of enemies with different skins slapped on throughout the whole game.
    - the power level difference. One moment you kill the mobs on same level with one attack, another - the other type of mob can kill you with one attack
    - power difference between the weapons you use. Some are super easy to wield and can make your dungeon experience far easier - others are underpowered and make you struggle through the whole dungeon of the same level, making the whole experience... uneven to put it lightly.

    Now, as for the dating sim part:
    - There are no words to describe how much I despised this part of the game. Beneath a very shallow layer of personalities, all dating options are rather shallow, aggressive in their wooing methods of the protagonist and almost abusive in terms of trying to win protagonist's approval. the game warns you at the beginning about the potential topic of stalking being breached - what they forget to mention is that almost the whole cast of characters you can date betrays bigger or smaller levels of romantic aggression and stalking
    - Topics which should be breached with respect and care are turned into either a butt of the joke or a way to coolify the character. Depression? Oh, it's just a way to depict the character as cool and aloof and apparently saying 'whatever' a lot makes up for it. Dealing with abusive parent turns into an exchange of jokes between millennials and foolhardy boomers...
    - You have literally no way. No way to refuse dates. Everyone wants to date your character following ye olde trope of 'Loved By Everyone' known in such dating sims. But here, it feels forced and repeatedly made me uncomfortable as the unwanted advances were forced upon the player character without a chance to properly refuse or retaliate against them. And yet again, the warning given at the beginning of the game does not warn you about that.
    - Character's family: for some reason is happy for the character who never entered any kind of romantic relationship or even any remote levels of intimacy with anyone to be literally pimped out by their cousin. Oh, and if said character refuses to sleep with the datable chars after knowing them for less than a month, the game somehow brands them as asexual.
    - No consequences to your 'romantic' actions. Do you wish to date all the weapons to unlock all their skills? Game says 'be my guest'. They will still treat you as their one and only - even when all of them end up meeting together at a certain part of the game to proclaim they unwavering affection to your character.
    - The protagonist's choices are often making no sense in the narrative or, yet again, are turned into another shallow joke. You witness a dead body in the corner? Oh that's okay as long as it was done by one of your bae's. Who cares if an innocent man died if it was done by a sexy lad, am I rite?
    - no game has even made me uncomfortable and even disgusted by the level of writing and the aggressive way in which characters wished to interact with my protagonist. For people who experienced these kinds of aggressive 'seductions' in real life, I assume many won't and will not sign up for this kind of treatment - which does not only limit itself to the title's villain... but literally everyone else.

    TL;DR:
    - For the given price, both dating and dungeoneering parts leave a LOT to be desired.
    - if you hoped for a good dungeon experience, hold yo horses, there are literally two dungeons to do and you can finish the whole game in 2-3 hrs
    - If you ever experienced people forcefully flirting with you or trying to sleep with you irl, don't play this game. Really. Do not.
    - serious topics are treated in it as a joke and it's honestly both dehumanising and disgusting to see.    … Full Review »
  2. closedsocket
    Sep 16, 2021
    3
    I played this game with an open mind, but by trying to make this game inclusive, it has segregated probably the most popular player base,I played this game with an open mind, but by trying to make this game inclusive, it has segregated probably the most popular player base, which are heterosexual males. I am all for inclusivity, but not belonging to a different group, the dialogue was terrible and many times made me feel uncomfortable. There was no ability to just play the game and get past the constant "inclusiveness" being shoved down your throat that may actually isolate the player.

    The gameplay itself is very basic roguelite gameplay that brings nothing new or exciting to the table. At this time I can I wouldn't recommend this game. There are much better out there for the same price. I gave it a 3 because its not worth playing, but it's also not glitchy or a cash grab or anything that makes it unplayable.    … Full Review »
  3. NFTLINS
    Sep 30, 2021
    10
    It's a great game to play just to have some fun... You dont need to think to much so I had a great xperience.
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