Boyfriend Dungeon

 Switch
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9

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  1. Atobe333
    Aug 16, 2021
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is very short and the love interests don't feel all that great, the best story is with the cat and Rowan. There are only two dungeons, which is terrible if you want to level up all your weapons. One of the love interests also dumps you, no matter what you do. The poster boy won't even fall in love which I think is poor writing. I appreciate them being inclusive with pronouns and a variety of cast but the Glaive is the most annoying child I've ever had to talk to not to mention the bad guy is pathetic, he's a stalker that you have to interact with and he has no backbone at all. Nothing about him is scary and then in the boss fight you have to encourage him. I'm all for second chances but that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The boss fight is also one hit ko which isn't fun and just frustrating, it feels like they gave up on this game at the end.… Expand
  2. Mando44646
    Aug 18, 2021
    9
    This is one of my favorite games this year. I'm also a proud backer of it on Kickstarter.

    The characters are fun and decently developed, the dungeon gameplay is a lot of fun (similar-ish to Hades'), and the story is good enough to rely on fun character interactions. It also fills a niche that doesn't really exist - a bisexual dating sim. The game is short though and I wish there were    This is one of my favorite games this year. I'm also a proud backer of it on Kickstarter.

    The characters are fun and decently developed, the dungeon gameplay is a lot of fun (similar-ish to Hades'), and the story is good enough to rely on fun character interactions. It also fills a niche that doesn't really exist - a bisexual dating sim.

    The game is short though and I wish there were more than 2 dungeons, because I enjoyed playing them so much.

    I see no downside with paying $20 for it. If you have it on Game Pass without an extra cost, there is no downside. Go play it!    … Expand
  3. 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, 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"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.    … Expand
  4. Terrax
    Aug 28, 2021
    9
    The game is very short and the gameplay is rather limited but Boyfriend Dungeon knocks the character writing out of the park. All romanceable characters feel human and relatable, even the cat??? Even The Cat. The gameplay is really easy for a longtime gamer, but in that sense it is also accessible to a wider audience, which is phenomenal, because as a transgender woman that does transThe game is very short and the gameplay is rather limited but Boyfriend Dungeon knocks the character writing out of the park. All romanceable characters feel human and relatable, even the cat??? Even The Cat. The gameplay is really easy for a longtime gamer, but in that sense it is also accessible to a wider audience, which is phenomenal, because as a transgender woman that does trans psychology research it is deeply gratifying to see nonbinary characters done this well in a video game for the first time. Hell, in any narrative altogether!

    The only downer in the narrative is that while you can be polyamarous, it is rarely a thing that is brought up between lovers. You'd expect them to have more to say, or to interact with each other!

    In summation, the game could be longer and have more mechanical depth, but if you come for the dating sim, it is succinct and incredible.    … Expand
  5. TheLinkgirl
    Sep 6, 2022
    9
    At a time where roguelites are becoming increasingly tiresome due to their inherent lack of design, it's fair to say that the best roguelites are the ones that circumvent that shortcoming, commonly by injecting another genre into the formula. As rhythm games, card games and Metroidvanias have become almost overused, one clever developer thought of a genius idea: a dating game.

    Inclusivity    At a time where roguelites are becoming increasingly tiresome due to their inherent lack of design, it's fair to say that the best roguelites are the ones that circumvent that shortcoming, commonly by injecting another genre into the formula. As rhythm games, card games and Metroidvanias have become almost overused, one clever developer thought of a genius idea: a dating game.

    Inclusivity is certainly the name of the game with Boyfriend Dungeon, allowing for relationships to be as intimate as you'd like. Some characters are non-binary, and the game allows you to date as you want to; polyamory is totally allowed, but you don't have to. Gameplay bounces between two simple ideas, one where the player goes on dates, and one where the player dives into simple combat in simple dungeons. While both ideas are perfectly fine in their own right, it's the combination of the two that makes Boyfriend Dungeon work so well, with dates unlocking new abilities for weapons in combat, and combat unlocking dates.

    While there isn't a massive amount of content, I feel Boyfriend Dungeon has the perfect amount for a playthrough and then some. It was totally worth it for me just to experience all the characters in the way I wanted to.    … Expand
  6. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    Elevator pitch time… so what if the goal was to make a game that fully embraces and meshes together intense slashing roguelike combat and… a dating sim?!? Yeah, I know, right… these things just seem to naturally belong together, for sure. Despite the clash in styles, and though not without some flaws, I have to throw my hat off to the folks at Kitfox Games for putting earnest effort intoElevator pitch time… so what if the goal was to make a game that fully embraces and meshes together intense slashing roguelike combat and… a dating sim?!? Yeah, I know, right… these things just seem to naturally belong together, for sure. Despite the clash in styles, and though not without some flaws, I have to throw my hat off to the folks at Kitfox Games for putting earnest effort into getting both right in parallel, not obviously neglecting the quality of one for the other and making their genre-bending only a half-hearted effort. The definite risk is that while it does a good job on both ends of the spectrum it wouldn’t necessarily stand up to the best in the genre on either side. Particularly on the roguelike action side since the combat, though decent, isn’t as fluid and varied per weapon to the level that other games in the eShop have set the bar to, but it’s certainly enough to keep you entertained. The only other criticism I would have is that conceptually wanting to have the best weapon for you in dungeons can put you on a very different path from who you want to get to work with romantically, so when this is in conflict it can make things a bit weird, even if the dialogue generally allows you to keep the tone and mood under control to a degree. It’s a weird one, for sure, but it works surprisingly well on the whole.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/08/mini-reviews-august-16th-edition.html    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. RPGamer
    Dec 9, 2021
    70
    I was addicted to Boyfriend Dungeon for the two days I played it. While the game is not without flaws, I do wish that it had been longer. While having multiple flings in Verona Beach was a delightful romp, it always felt like there should have been more content than there was. However, I had so much fun playing this game, even when it became uncomfortable I still felt compelled to see where the story would go and how the characters would develop. Boyfriend Dungeon is the right kind of weird that keeps you wanting just one more dungeon run, even when it stalls out on you way too early.
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  2. Universo Nintendo
    Oct 7, 2021
    77
    Boyfriend Dungeon is an extremely creative game that appeals to an unusual story that works in a surprising way. It has charismatic characters and gives the player complete freedom of choice. The downside is the low difficulty of combat and gameplay.
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  3. IGN Japan
    Sep 17, 2021
    70
    Boyfriend Dungeon is not only the weirdest game in the love simulation genre, but also the most mature. While the experience is linear and doesn’t provide any real challenge, the concept of spending the summer with a human partner who can transform into a weapon works. The unique atmosphere is worth a try regardless of your gender or sexuality.
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