DUNGEONS OF CHAOS

Absolute trash due to the awful UI. All the text is so big, you'd think you're playing a cheap mobile port (am I?). You start out with plenty of spells and hovering over them doesn't tell me what they do. Even if the readability of the game wasn't so atrocious it would still feel kinda clunky.

For what it's worth, this is not a bad old-school, very simple RPG. I have my issues with it - the tactical fights are a bit of a chore when you actually need to pay attention (Mostly due to the way movement works and the large battle maps; 99% of them can be powered through with minimal involvement, though). The sprawling, randomly generated dungeons are not very interesting to explore either. But overall it's pretty decent. However, if you're going to play it, please read up on the Lich boss fight as early as possible; It's basically a brutal difficulty spike, and if you've been unlucky or specc'd out your party the wrong way when you reach it (in my case, a combination of having a single healer and having had bad luck with anti-undead weapons)... you're basically screwed. Maybe I could grind a few levels, see if any good weapons spawn in the stores, and attempt it again... but nah. I had fun for five-ish hours, but that boss (and the possibility of later bosses with a similar design) have put me right off the game.

DUNGEONS OF CHAOS is an unapologetically old-school role-playing game that embraces the design philosophy of classic computer RPGs with confidence and depth. Developed and published by Volker Elzner, it is clearly inspired by the golden age of 2D, turn-based fantasy RPGs, where exploration, tactical combat, and long-term character development were central to the experience. Rather than attempting to modernize or streamline these traditions, the game leans fully into them, offering a deliberate, methodical adventure that rewards patience, planning, and curiosity. At the center of the game is a robust party-based system that allows players to create and manage a team of up to six characters. A wide range of traditional fantasy classes is available, each with distinct strengths and progression paths. Fighters and barbarians excel in direct combat, rogues and rangers bring mobility and utility, while spellcasters such as clerics, druids, and mages provide healing, buffs, and devastating magical attacks. Character growth is deep and layered, combining level-based advancement with skill development that improves through use. This system encourages careful planning and experimentation, a…

I've played way more of this on Switch than I have on PC. It's very good. It's almost like entry level Tales of Maj'Eyal. That's the best way to describe it. It does fill its own niche though. I like everything about this game.

Score: 2/5 A big old nothing burger inspired by old-school DnD and maybe Dungeon Crawl Classics. I full party wiped on the second group of enemies I faced. I don't think I enjoyed a single minute of the game. Art style is okay. Audio/SFX/Music is below average. Writing is average, with some cheesy tropes. Large number of characters, almost all are super shallow. World revolves around player. Going with a old-school DnD style with the randomized stats, but then making possible perks randomized too, and with infinite rerolling. I strongly prefer point-buy. Not enough information to make good decisions. Menu navigation is slow and clunky. Combat is boring and difficult. World is pretty big but mostly empty, with few PoI's and clunky navigation, especially diagonal movement.

Very odd little RPG, but pretty fun and fills a niche. Has lots of walking around and trash mob fights, but has an autocombat and runs in low windowed resolutions so even single monitor gamers can play this whilst doing other things. Good variety of classes and available playstyles, semi-randomised loot is interesting and the game respects your player agency by putting things of very varying challenge levels all over the place. Ultimately it's not a game I think I'd stick to and finish, but I had a good time going through act 1 especially with how cheap the game is.