Dungeons of Dredmor

Dungeons of Dredmor
Developer(s)	Gaslamp Games
Programmer(s)	Nicholas Vining
Artist(s)	David Baumgart
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux
Release date(s)	13 July 2011[1]
Genre(s)	Roguelike
Mode(s)	Single-player
Media/distribution	Online distribution

Dungeons of Dredmor is a roguelike indie game by Gaslamp Games. The game features tile-based graphics.

Gameplay

The game starts as the player assumes the role of the game's main character entering a hostile dungeon crawler environment. The player enters a dungeon at the top floor and gradually progresses down through levels of increasing difficulty. Each level is a randomly generated maze of interconnected rooms, filled with monsters, traps, loot, and various objects. The game world is laid out in a tile-based square grid viewed from a top-down perspective, where the player, enemies, and various items and objects occupy discrete squares. The game is turn-based, and both the player and numerous enemies take turns performing actions. Each turn the player may move to or attack monsters in adjacent squares, pick up, drop, and use items, and interact with various in-game objects.

As a role-playing game, the player has several character statistics that determine their effectiveness in various aspects of gameplay. The player begins the game with 7 chosen skills, which may be further improved as the player gains experience levels. The combat focuses on melee, ranged, and magic attacks, as well as use of items and skills. Weapons and equipment can be worn to improve player's defences and abilities. The player carries an inventory of items, which can include various foods, drinks, potions, crafting materials, etc.

Development

In an interview with RPGWatch, game's artist David Baumgart explains that the game is based on a "immature build of a humorous roguelike game" that the game's programmer Nicholas Vining had been working on since 2006. He also notes that the game's art sets the game apart from traditional roguelikes that feature ASCII graphics.^[2]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	80.5%[3]
Metacritic	80/100[4]
Review scores
Publication	Score
GamePro	[5]
GamesRadar	7/10[6]
IGN	8.5/10[7]

Critics have generally given the game high scores, and as of August 7, 2011 it holds a 80/100 score at Metacritic and 80.50% at GameRankings.^[3][4]

Alec Meer of Rock, Paper, Shotgun notes how the game's complexity and heavy reliance on the random aspect makes it unbalanced and unpredictable. He notes that careful strategy has to be employed; and ends that Dungeons of Dredmor is "genuinely, a fantastic game" albeit with minor interface issues.^[8] Jordan Baughman of GamesRadar calls the game a "competent roguelike" and points out that the game requires careful strategy. He notes the game's humor sets it apart other roguelikes, but criticizes inventory management.^[6] Adam Biessener of Game Informer calls the game a "fun, accessible, lighthearted dungeon crawl". He notes that the game does not innovate outside the bounds of the genre, but manages to excel at certain aspects. He also remarks on the game's humor and level of detail.^[9] Nathan Meunier of IGN calls the game challenging, but also notes it is easy to get into with adjusted difficulty settings. He also praises its game's humor and replayability.^[7] Jason Wilson of GamePro praises the game's simple starting setup and calls the game's combat "simple yet deep". While he sees the game's difficulty as a good feature, he also comments on balance issues.^[5] Josh McIllwain of Ars Technica notes that the game's "wicked sense of humor" sets it apart from other roguelike games. He also points out the difficulty and calls the game "brutal and unforgiving".^[10] Alicia Ashby of Gamezebo notes that the game's humor distinguishes it from other roguelike games.^[11]

References

1. ^ "Now Available - Dungeons of Dredmor". Steam. July 13, 2011. http://store.steampowered.com/news/5826/. Retrieved July 30, 2011. 
2. ^ Baumgart, David (June 19, 2011). Dungeons of Dredmor Interview. Interview with Brian Critser. RPGWatch. http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/article?articleid=175. Retrieved August 2, 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Dungeons of Dredmor for PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/636613-dungeons-of-dredmor/index.html. Retrieved August 7, 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} "Dungeons of Dredmor for PC". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/dungeons-of-dredmor/critic-reviews. Retrieved August 7, 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Wilson, Jason (July 20, 2011). "Review: Dungeons of Dredmor". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/221240/review-dungeons-of-dredmor/. Retrieved July 29, 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Baughman, Jordan (August 4, 2011). "Dungeons of Dredmor Review". GamesRadar US. http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/dungeons-of-dredmor/review/dungeons-of-dredmor-review/a-201108041785153017/g-201108041718393089. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 
7. ^ ^{a b} Meunier, Nathan (July 28, 2011). "Dungeons of Dredmor Review". IGN. http://pc.ign.com/articles/118/1184857p1.html. Retrieved July 30, 2011. 
8. ^ Meer, Alec (July 19, 2011). "Wot I Think: Dungeons of Dredmor". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/07/19/wot-i-think-dungeons-of-dredmor/. Retrieved July 26, 2011. 
9. ^ Biessener, Adam (July 20, 2011). "An Indie Roguelike For Everyone – Dungeons of Dredmor". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dungeons_of_dredmor/b/pc/archive/2011/07/20/an-indie-roguelike-for-everyone.aspx. Retrieved July 26, 2011. 
10. ^ McIllwain, Josh (July 29, 2011). "Indie RPG Dungeons of Dredmor wants to destroy you". Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2011/07/dungeons-of-dredmor-is-happy-to-destroy-you.ars. Retrieved July 30, 2011. 
11. ^ Ashby, Alicia (July 26, 2011). "Dungeons of Dredmor Review". Gamezebo. http://www.gamezebo.com/games/dungeons-dredmor/review. Retrieved July 30, 2011.