Developer: Artix Entertainment, LLC
Publisher: Nami Tentou
Genre: Action Adventure
Price: $19.99
Where to Buy: Steam, Switch
AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & DoomKnights throws players back to the golden age of NES adventures, but with a surprising amount of depth and modern touches that make it more than just a nostalgia trip.
As a disclaimer: We were provided a copy of the game. A big humble thank you to the Developers and PR for allowing us to cover the game!
Here’s a deep dive into the Switch version:
Story:
You play as Artix, a young hero returning home to find his village ravaged by the undead. Swearing vengeance, you must explore a vast overworld and underworld, battling quirky enemies and solving puzzles to confront the evil DoomKnight. The narrative is simple but charming, peppered with witty dialogue and references to classic RPGs that will tickle the funny bone of veteran gamers.
Gameplay:
Dungeons & DoomKnights nails the core of 8-bit action-adventure: tight controls, responsive combat, and a satisfying exploration loop. You’ll swing swords, cast spells, and collect loot as you traverse sprawling dungeons and towns, uncovering secrets and hidden areas. The game throws in some clever twists, like the ability to choose between light and dark paths, influencing the story and unlocking unique abilities.
Combat:
- Classic Action: Hack and slash your way through hordes of undead with swords, axes, and even magical projectiles. Attacks feel impactful with satisfying sound effects and animations.
- Skill Customization: Earn skill points to unlock abilities like powerful slams, healing auras, and teleports. Different builds let you specialize in melee, magic, or a mix of both.
- Combo System: Master chain attacks and timed parries to deal extra damage and stun enemies. Bosses require strategic use of combos and abilities to conquer.
- Weapon Variety: Discover a wide range of weapons, each with unique stats and attack speeds. From classic swords and daggers to quirky items like a fishbone club and a cursed cheese wheel, there’s something for everyone.
Exploration:
- World Map: Navigate a vast overworld filled with towns, dungeons, and hidden secrets. Use a world map to track your progress and plan your next adventure.
- Environmental Puzzles: Push blocks, activate switches, and solve riddles to access hidden areas and uncover valuable loot. Not every path is obvious, rewarding keen exploration.
- Town Interaction: Talk to quirky NPCs, buy and sell items, and accept side quests for extra rewards and lore. The world feels alive with interesting characters to meet.
- Secrets and Collectibles: Uncover hidden treasures, complete challenges, and find collectible figurines scattered throughout the world. There’s always something new to discover, even on multiple playthroughs.
Light and Dark Choice System:
- Morality Dilemma: Choose between the path of light (heroic) and darkness (corrupt) at key moments in the story. Your choices affect your abilities, dialogue options, and even the game’s ending.
- Unique Powers: The light path grants healing and support abilities, while the dark path unlocks powerful offensive magic and summons. Experimenting with both is encouraged for the full experience.
- Replayability Potential: Different choices impact the narrative and unlock unique rewards, incentivizing multiple playthroughs to see all the game has to offer.
Bonus Content:
- Chaos Modes: Crank up the difficulty with optional modifiers that change enemy behavior, add environmental hazards, and limit your resources. These offer a fresh challenge for skilled players.
- Mini-Games: Engage in fun distractions like a rhythm game and a monster-catching side quest, adding variety and breaks from the main adventure.
- Retro Easter Eggs: Keep an eye out for hidden references to classic NES games and RPGs, sure to delight nostalgic players.
Remember, this is just a deeper dive into some specific aspects of the gameplay. The game offers a lot more to discover and experience, making it a rewarding adventure for fans of the genre.
Retro with a Modern Edge:
While the pixelated visuals and chiptune soundtrack evoke NES classics, Artix Entertainment adds a modern polish. The NamiPixel8 engine allows for smooth scrolling, detailed environments, and dynamic lighting that wouldn’t be out of place on a 16-bit console. Bonus modes like the “Chaos Challenge” and “Boss Rush” offer additional replayability and cater to hardcore players.
Switch Port:
The Switch version plays fantastically. The Joy-Cons feel great for classic side-scrolling action, and the option to use NES and SNES controllers is a delightful nod to retro enthusiasts. The game runs smoothly in both docked and handheld modes, making it perfect for quick bursts of nostalgic fun on the go.
Minor Quirks:
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The difficulty curve can be a bit uneven, with some bosses feeling like cheap shots. The inventory system can be clunky at times, and the story, while charming, doesn’t quite reach the emotional depth of its modern RPG counterparts.
Verdict:
AdventureQuest 8-Bit: Dungeons & DoomKnights is a love letter to classic NES adventures, but with enough modern touches and clever ideas to keep it fresh. It’s a charming, challenging, and surprisingly deep experience that will appeal to retro enthusiasts and newcomers alike. If you’re looking for a nostalgic romp with a modern twist, grab your sword and shield and dive into Dungeons & DoomKnights – you won’t regret it.
Recommendation:
- Highly recommended for fans of classic NES action-adventures and RPGs.
- A great choice for anyone looking for a charming and challenging retro-inspired experience.
- Worth checking out for its unique blend of nostalgia and modern design.
