The long-awaited DUngeon Lords demo was supposed to come out late last year, but was delayed until about a week ago? How does this game stack up to the competition? What kind of game is it? What are the cool bits? Find out… if you dare!
The Demo lets you create a character right off, and I admit, it seems pretty intriguing. Although it doesn't show much of the mechanics behind every ability, it looks like you'll be able to make a kung-fu monk, a hulking barbarian, a variety of magic users, or a sneaky assassin. It's implied that as the character levels up and completes quests, bonus abilities will be available. Groovy.
After making a character, you get plopped right into a forest. It took me a moment, but it's obviously not intended to be the starting area of the game. Seemingly invincible enemies come at you from all sides quickly. You can beat them. However, you're going to need a little practice. Alright, it wouldn't be the first time I've seen this sort of thing, so I can manage. I eventually learn that I have extra equipment and put it on. It works out much better.
As it happens, many of the game's enemies are spawned randomly in groups. This is pretty cool. While it all averages out the same, it does make replaying the same stage much more interesting and exciting. Along with several pre-set encounters, and it's all set to rock.
While every character has a specialty, I found that using a handful of magic with the bruisers was quite useful, and spellcasters needed to watch their melee abilities. Rather than being annoying, this gives a good sense of flexibility.
Graphics: 4/4
Wild spells, strange monsters, and creepy fungeons come to life. Scenery isn’t perfect, but the game loads and runs quickly and that counts for a lot.
Sound: 3/4
Sound is competent and solid. It doesn’t quite wow you, and their aren’t quite as many background effects as I would have liked, but it all seems pretty good.
Controls: 2/4
While they did get everything, it’s often very non-intuitive. I had a heck of time with the killer trapped chests until I figured out what you’re supposed to do with them. Some enemies are hard to hit because they’re very short or fly around. Hit detection is a bit confusing. I still havenm’t figured out some of the magic systems.
Areas: 2/4
Some good level design, but it’s all fairly empty aside from the multitude of chests hanging around. It would be nice to have more objects strewn about.
Difficulty: 1/4
Hopefully this was just the demo, but the goblins I mashed into paste dropped more potions than I could use. I came out with well over 80 light heals, far mor than I could use. The tougher monsters can be a challenge: there’s a nasty troll who’ll take everything you’ve got and keep coming, but I saw only one of them.
Roleplaying: ?/4
There was none in the demo. Can’t comment. It’s implied that there will be large city areas and big quests, but I’m guessing Diablo II rather than Planescape: Torment.
Gloss: while the game can be slowed up a bit, the high concept here is to have action and adventure, not a step-by-step creep-and-blast game.