The most recent addition to Sport Cross is a really completely different type of dungeon-based RPG, with a real-world setting within the modern-day.
Because of Dungeons & Dragons, dungeon-based role-playing video games have been a online game staple because the medium was invented, however that may make new releases within the style really feel overfamiliar. Combine collectively monsters, magic swords, and treasure chests, then evenly sprinkle with sub-Tolkien lore, and some unpronounceable names, and also you’ve bought a recipe for enterprise as ordinary on the planet of dungeon exploration.
Whereas Dungeons Of Hinterberg accommodates a few of the above, unusually it’s set within the Austrian Alps within the fashionable period. Your character, the sport’s heroine, is a junior lawyer from Vienna, trying to escape the drudgery of labor and metropolis life for a couple of days’ monster slaying within the mountains. Fortuitously for her, the fictional village of Hinterberg has lately sprouted a few dozen magical dungeons, together with unusual portals that spew legendary beasts into the encircling panorama.
Simply after you arrive there’s an earthquake that rocks the newbie’s dungeon you’re exploring, briefly panicking your information. However, as in Jaws, the mayor is determined to maintain vacationer sights open regardless of the hazard to guests. Naturally there’s extra happening than there first seems, however you’ll uncover that organically as you discover the area, which is separated into distinct areas, every with its personal look, really feel, and dungeons.
As you find and discover every underground cave system, you uncover that they’re all distinctive, their puzzles, construction, and even digital camera angles transform one-offs that the sport by no means repeats. You may see mine carts a couple of instances, however they’re by no means utilized in fairly the identical manner, and there’s an inspiring sense of invention meaning you’re by no means fairly positive what you’ll discover whenever you push your manner via a dungeon’s entry portal.
The monsters you combat aren’t fairly so diverse, however in an fascinating twist they’re all primarily based on legendary beasts from Austrian Alpine pagan beliefs. Or at the very least they’re disguising themselves as pagan monsters. Proper from the beginning of the sport you possibly can see your attackers are sporting masks, apparently utilizing the identities of folks monsters as camouflage.
Battling them makes use of the basic Darkish Souls triad of sunshine assault, heavy assault, and dodge roll, and whereas the fight takes ability, it’s actually not the equal of FromSoftware’s masterpiece. It does the job although, your core bodily abilities joined by battle magic, a few of which varies relying on which area you’re combating in.
So, in a single space you possibly can name down an exploding wrecking ball, which additionally is useful for fixing puzzles, whereas in one other you possibly can magic up a hoverboard, letting you journey at excessive velocity over its snowy expanses, and grind magic-infused rails that take you swooping off to beforehand inaccessible items of the panorama.
Staying at a resort in Hinterberg, your days are divided into 4 components. The primary is spent having breakfast and chatting to townspeople, the second exploring dungeons or having fun with time at a neighborhood magnificence spot, and the third socialising on the town, deepening relations with the folks you meet, earlier than heading again to the resort for a well-earned relaxation.
Dungeons Of Hinterberg does a very good job gamifying these relationships, so spending time with pals additionally unlocks perks, providing you with further powers in battle, buffs for weapons and armour, or entry to beforehand hidden dungeons. You’re additionally rewarded for extra-curricular actions, which amongst different issues, enhance your amusement and leisure stats. We discover it onerous to think about something extra charmingly Teutonic.
It’s an indie sport, so this degree of complexity sadly comes with fairly a couple of tough edges. A lot of the time they’re obscured by the wonderful comedian e-book artwork fashion, however there are moments the place the shortage of polish can show irritating.
Abandoning an strategy to fixing a puzzle as a result of it doesn’t appear to be working, solely to search out out after attempting every part else that it was working, however the sport’s odd digital camera angles and janky controls had been the issue all alongside, doesn’t really feel nice. You may forgive that a few times, however in The Dungeons Of Hinterberg it’s a reasonably common concern.
The sport stays compelling although, the regular levelling, discovery of recent tools, and the method of upgrading it, as you instrument round city making pals and a strong enemy, confers a profitable sense of momentum. There’s additionally an overarching plot that has you exposing corruption in Hinterberg’s institution, assisted by the pleasant townsfolk.
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The inventiveness of its dungeons, the depth of its a number of improve paths and perk programs, and your burgeoning friendships, every of which brings its personal new ability or buff, imply there’s all the time one thing you’re working in the direction of. It’s additionally truthful to say that you just gained’t discover many hack and slash dungeon adventures the place your hero complains in regards to the lack of cellular protection or acknowledges an influencer’s social media clout.
Dungeons Of Hinterberg is a delightfully quirky addition to the style, and although a few of its ranges appear nearly tailor made to reveal the weaknesses of its controls, there’s loads of enjoyable available, and a surprisingly great amount of content material for such a fairly priced sport.
Dungeons Of Hinterberg evaluate abstract
In Brief: A contemporary period dungeon journey with legendary monsters, political corruption, and a slight lack of polish – that’s at the very least partly compensated for by its charming idiosyncrasies and spirit of invention.
Professionals: Neat comedian e-book artwork fashion and each dungeon is totally distinctive. Gamifies completely every part and there’s a good space to discover, laced with unlockable secrets and techniques.
Cons: The fight lacks weight and heft. The controls and digital camera typically let the facet down, unintentionally rising the issue.
Rating: 7/10
Codecs: Xbox Collection X/S* (reviewed) and PCPrice: £24.99Publisher: Curve GamesDeveloper: Microbird GamesRelease Date: 18th July 2024Age Score: 7
*Sport Cross day one
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