Dungeon Lords
| Dungeon Lords | |
|---|---|
|
Original release box art | |
| Developer(s) | Heuristic Park |
| Publisher(s) | DreamCatcher Interactive, FX Interactive, Crimson Cow, 1C, Typhoon Games[1] |
| Designer(s) | D.W. Bradley |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing video game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Dungeon Lords is a real time fantasy role-playing video game developed by David W. Bradley of Heuristic Park, originally published by DreamCatcher Games and Typhoon Games, and released in 2005. However, many features were left out from the original release in an effort to meet the release date. In 2006, they re-released the game as Dungeon Lords Collector's Edition with more complete features.
In 2012, after the demise of DreamCatcher Games and subsequent acquisition by Nordic Games, they announced the re-re-release of a completely "remastered" version of the game, titled Dungeon Lords MMXII.[2] Dungeon Lords MMXII has been given an official release date of September 25, 2012.[3]
In 2015, yet another version of the game titled Dungeon Lords Steam Edition surfaced on Steam platform.
Gameplay
Dungeon Lords' gameplay features a combat system where weapon combos are controllable by mouse movements. It includes quests, personal missions, skills and special abilities for customizing the character hero from a small set of races and class specializations. Dungeon Lords can be played either single-player stand alone or in multi-player group sessions.[4] The combat was inspired by console fighting games.[5]
Reception
Many gamers experienced extensive problems while playing the original release of the game, including quest items disappearing from inventories, NPCs getting stuck, key quests failing, doors that do not work, etc.[6]
Metacritic, a review aggregator, rated the game 45/100 based on 28 reviews.[7] Many reviews criticized the game's initial release as a rushed project, released before it was truly finished. Some have gone so far as to say the game is still in the beta development stage. One reviewer wrote, "Dungeon Lords marks a new low for how incomplete a game can be and still get released".[8] Dan Adams of IGN rated it 4.5/10 and wrote, "Dungeon Lords is a disaster. It's an unfinished, unpolished, and un-fun game that I thankfully never have to play again."[9] Greg Kasavin of GameSpot rated it 6.8/10 and wrote that the film, though fun, is unbalanced and was missing key features at launch.[10]
Version history
- Original release versions
- 1.0 - May 4, 2005. Initial release.
- 1.1 - May 13, 2005. Includes bugfixes, gameplay tweaks, and a few added features.
- 1.2 - May 22, 2005. Later German release.
- 1.3 - June 29, 2005. More bugfixes, adds automap feature.
- 1.4 - February 2, 2006. Additional bugfixes, adds customizable characters. Japanese release.
- Collector's Edition
- 1.5 (no upgrade path from 1.4.) - January 27, 2006. Large number of additional quests, NPCs, and a new character class. Extant areas were 'fleshed out', with more rooms, furniture, and treasure.
- Nordic Games' "MMXII"
- 1.6k (no upgrade path from 1.5.)
- Steam Edition[11]
- Patch #1 - improvements over 1.6k version.[12]
MMXII and later version features
This remastered edition features:
- Co-op story mode for up to 8 players and full single-player game experience
- 50–70 hours
- Completely reworked intuitive Graphic User Interface
- New Multiplayer Features
- Dual Switchable Interface Modes (supports Hot-Key action play and Point&Click play)
- Updated full hardware Screen Resolution support (16:10, 16:9, 1920x1080 etc.)
- New quick-start Hero character creation system
- All new Magic system including new Magic Spells
- New Hero Classes, new and improved Class Skills, and new unique Class action abilities
- New Character Advancement and Level Up with auto-learn Magic system
- All new Quest and Log System
- New Mini Map and Full Map Screens
- Full World and Character Re-mastering for enhanced gameplay experience
- New dynamic Treasure & Equipment generation, featuring Uncommon, Rare & Epic items
- New Inventory and Loot Bag System
- Improved Graphic & Visual Enhancements
- Newly Re-Mastered Audio sounds and speech [3]
Cancelled projects
An Xbox version was planned, but was later cancelled.
Dungeon Lords: The Orb and the Oracle, the sequel to Dungeon Lords, was in development with expected release in Q4 2009. It has since been put on hold indefinitely due to market research results and game engine instability. Later the game was cancelled and replaced with Dungeon Lords MMXII.
References
- ↑ "Heuristic Park Presents - Dungeon Lords".
- ↑ "Nordic Games GmbH | Fresh From Austria | Press Releases | Nordic Games joins forces with RPG mastermind D.W. Bradley and Heuristic Park". Nordicgames.at. 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- 1 2 "Nordic Games GmbH | Fresh From Austria | Product | Dungeon Lords MMXII". Nordicgames.at. 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ↑ Ocampo, Jason (2004-05-14). "Dungeon Lords E3 2004 Impressions". GameSpot. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ↑ Aihoshi, Richard (2004-04-08). "Dungeon Lords Combat Interview". IGN. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- ↑ Denice, Cook (2005-04-20). "CGW Review". Cgw.1up.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ↑ "Dungeon Lords". Metacritic. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ↑ Pseudo Nim. "Game Over Online Magazine - Dungeon Lords". Game-over.net. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
- ↑ Adams, Dan (2005-05-31). "Dungeon Lords". IGN. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ↑ Kasavin, Greg (2005-05-13). "Dungeon Lords Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- ↑ "Dungeon Lords Steam Edition on Steam".
- ↑ "Steam Community :: Group Announcements :: Dungeon Lords Steam Edition".