Dungeons

 PC
  • Publisher: Kalypso
  • Release Date: Feb 10, 2011
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 35
  3. Negative: 3 out of 35
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  1. Worth Playing
    Mar 21, 2011
    90
    Dungeons is one of the new kings of the genre, and it's incredibly difficult to put down.
  2. GameWatcher
    Feb 2, 2011
    85
    Dungeons is not what we were expecting, and that's completely fine with us. With clever and enjoyable gameplay that turns the tower defense genre on its head, this one is a real keeper.
  3. Game Revolution
    Mar 10, 2011
    83
    Dungeons' biggest problem is really the up-front investment it requires.
  5. GamingXP
    Jan 27, 2011
    81
    If you don't expect DUNGEONS to be Dungeon Keeper III, there are not many things you could possibly criticize. This game is more about taking care of yours heroes than of your creatures. Nevertheless, the mission of creating a fun title has been well completed.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Mar 9, 2011
    80
    Really intriguing gameplay, if the player involves himself he maybe forget the poor technical side.
  7. GamePro
    Feb 14, 2011
    80
    Still, Dungeons has enough humor and variety to overcome its shortcomings, and the campaign throws enough curve balls at the player to make up for its strategic shallowness. It could have better pacing and a little more variety, but as it is, Dungeons is a very witty, very enjoyable surprise.
  8. AceGamez
    Feb 14, 2011
    80
    Dungeons is an odd game that wears its inspiration from the Dungeon Keeper games with pride yet still manages to be unique.
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  9. Gamers.at
    Jan 27, 2011
    79
    The developers preferred to concentrate on and perfect a few basic gameplay-elements, rather than cram so many of them into the game, that there's no time left to polish everything. Basically a good thing, but unfortunately not the best way to maintain a high level of variety and diversification for the player. Therefore, Dungeons feels pretty repetitive after some time, which makes it hard to really recommend it, despite its interesting genre-mix.
  10. Ten Ton Hammer
    Apr 14, 2011
    78
    While Dungeons is a unique take on being an evil mastermind, it's not without flaws. However, the charm of the gameplay and tormenting of souls keeps you wanting more. The appeal might fall with time, but if you enjoy the first hour, you'll enjoy the next thirty easily.
  11. PC Gamer UK
    Feb 7, 2011
    77
    Won't stop you dreaming of Horned Reapers and Dark Mistresses, but still fills a gap that's been empty for far too long.
  12. Vandal
    Aug 12, 2011
    76
    A good game with some innovative features, although unfortunately it doesn't include a multiplayer mode, and gets repetitive soon.
  13. GamingTrend
    Mar 30, 2011
    76
    Dungeons could be a fun game if it weren't for the repetitive gameplay and lack of use for most of the gimmicks. After a few levels, it becomes a grind, which works in massively multiplayer games, but not in this context. I believe the constant comparisons to Dungeon Keeper hurt this title, building it up to represent a game that it isn't. If you enjoy RTS titles and conquering maps, you may be able to find entertainment here. If you're looking for the next Dungeon Keeper, keep looking.
  14. Meristation
    Feb 7, 2011
    75
    Dungeons is a good strategy game mixed with tower defense and RPG elements, but it fails due to some technical issues and repetitive gameplay.

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 110 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 110
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 110
  3. Negative: 54 out of 110
  1. Morring
    Feb 18, 2011
    4
    This is not a bad game, it just isn't good. When you should entertain heroes for their precious points it is a poor tycoon game, tooThis is not a bad game, it just isn't good. When you should entertain heroes for their precious points it is a poor tycoon game, too repetitive to be actually entertaining, and as a "build your evil empire" it lacks depth, your minions have the only purpose of standing on their spawn point waiting for someone to have fun killing them, and this someone is not the player. I didn't play any dungeon keeper, so I'm not going to make that comparison. The "action" component is still tedious, both for your dungeon lord occupying most of the screen and for the graphics not looking so good up close. You will spend most of the time rushing about from one point of the map to another, preventing you from actually enjoying building a neat dungeon, getting some breath only if you decide to just flood your heroes with monsters and disregard a lot of soul points. To all that, add some random bugs and crashes that keep being annoying. The idea behind it isn't too bad toh, and it still manages to be amusing at first, it just isn't a 45 â… Full Review »
  2. Anca
    Feb 17, 2011
    3
    What a pity !
    Instead of being a worthy successor to Dungeon Keeper ... it is finally a pale copy watered.
    The game system becomes tiresome    What a pity !
    Instead of being a worthy successor to Dungeon Keeper ... it is finally a pale copy watered.
    The game system becomes tiresome pretty quickly, and is repetitive.
    The mechanisms of the game are not particularly extensive, although the system is fun at first.
    Worst of all, it is still really buggy. I lost several backups because of game crashes.

    It could have been a good game... but no. It's just an average game.    … Full Review »
  3. cassUK
    Feb 10, 2011
    6
    First of all I have never played any of the Dungeon Keeper games, so I had nothing to say if this is DK3 like or not. (Its not, apparently.)First of all I have never played any of the Dungeon Keeper games, so I had nothing to say if this is DK3 like or not. (Its not, apparently.)

    Before I start about the game play I must mention there are some stability issues. There were two patches to apply before I could start playing. I still crash regularly when booting the game up. OK the nity gritty: You are immediately hit with the devs sense of humor. Sometimes a good thing, in this case it is just irritating. I have not found one passage amusing yet. Even in the instruction book they force there humour on you. Even going as far as begging for money, in a joking way naturally.

    The interface and controls are very clumsy and do not feel intuitve at all. It takes a good few games to get to grips with. The voice acting for your gobln minion and the other 'bad guys' drives me up the wall. However you cant skip what they say otherwise you will have no idea what is going on. Not that it matters. The idea is that you control a dungeon on every new level. (there is a story behind it, however unless your about ten you will find it tedious.)
    At the centre of your dungeon is your dungeon heart. If this is killed it is game over. You directly control the dungeon lord. Each level is already set out for you. (My biggest disappointment.) Although you can order a workforce of goblins to dig out more rooms in the rock. heroes enter at timed intervals. There are three resources to collect: Gold, souls, prestige. These are the things you need to make your dungeon better. The general idea is to keep the heros happy, then kill them before they leave your dungeon. They each have a 'sims' like happyness bar. Each class has its own needs to fill that bar up. Fighters for example want gold, fighting (taking dammage) and new equipment to keep them happy.

    You then need to strike them down before they leave the dungeon. Upon doing so you are rewarded with the gold they took from you, the gold they were carrying with them and the amount of soul points they have ie. how 'sims' happy they are. Each level has ceritain criteria for you to fullfill to gain extra points to level up you dungeon lord or gain extra spells / scrolls. This I feel is the whole driving force behind the game. That is the game in a nut shell. There are a few more side missions ect but I wont give out spoilers on those. There is a campaign type map between games. You cant do anything on it but re-look at areas you have already covered. Just in case you didnt collect all the bonuses. It is surplus to requirement to be honest.

    Over all though it has some strangely addictive qualities. I just struggle to pin point them. Each level takes just over an hour, especialy if your trying to make your dungeon the best one possible. As a side note: for all you dnd guys who loved designing your own dungeon, this will only disappoint. For every one else i'd say wait for a demo. Average.    … Full Review »
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