Check out my full Dutch review on our website:
https://inthegame.nl/2023/10/31/review-endless-dungeon/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
After a long wait, ENDLESS Dungeon has finally been released. This light-hearted yet challenging game has been on the list of interesting games for a long time, and we've thoroughly checked it out! Amplitude Studios and SEGA have finally released this twin-stick shooter after a considerable delay. The entire game takes place in the ENDLESS universe, also known from the game Dungeon of the ENDLESS. The unique blend of roguelite, tactical action, and tower defense makes the game easy to pick up for both young and old.
Dive into an abandoned spaceship alone or with friends in co-op. Choose your desired heroes and defend your crystal against ENDLESS waves of different types of monsters.
Heroes, turrets, guns, and one crystal
In ENDLESS Dungeon, you explore the abandoned spaceship with a party of heroes. From 8 different heroes, you can assemble a team of up to 3, both in solo and co-op mode. Each hero has its own characteristics and type of weapon, allowing you to create different teams based on your playstyle. A character dealing more damage, for example, may have fewer hitpoints than a tank character, and the skills of each character will also differ.
You naturally don't defend your crystal-bot alone with your party. Within the dungeons you explore, you can build turrets of various types. Each monster type has its own weaknesses and strengths, requiring you to pay attention to where you place turrets on the map. The turrets can apparently be upgraded by hitting them with the melee button, a feature I discovered later.
Specific turrets against a particular type of enemy aren't handed to you easily. By opening doors, you obtain resources that allow you to activate certain stations. These stations range from researching new turrets to developing machines to acquire more resources. There are only a select number of these points per map, usually the strategic points that monsters love to attack. A strategic mind will surely find this enjoyable.
Of course, you can't defend yourself with just your fists, though you can, but that makes things a bit more challenging. In each dungeon, there are multiple chests you can open. From general currency to upgrade your heroes to new guns for your dungeon run, you can find various items. Like the previously described turrets, each weapon also has an "element" and playstyle. So, don't just pick up a weapon without inspecting what the current enemies are weak against!
Easy but not intuitive
ENDLESS Dungeon is a relatively easy game to pick up. If you're familiar with another twin-stick top-down shooter, you'll quickly get the hang of this game too. However, the game sometimes leaves you a bit too much on your own the first time you play. Some items don't provide any prompts, the UI isn't very "in your face," and the overall level progression is quite challenging to grasp.
The shooting, moving, and running in the game are self-explanatory, just like almost every ability of a hero character. However, some abilities aren't entirely clear in their effects, which can lead to confusion during gameplay. A real tutorial for the game, not too long, would be welcome.
The progression system is also a confusing mess. Through a map, they show which floors of which sectors you've discovered. The idea that you should be able to see at a glance how far you are with a sector is not particularly well executed. Confusion and frustration set in when you've apparently wasted an hour in a dungeon you've already completed.
Verdict
ENDLESS Dungeon offers an enjoyable, challenging gaming experience for both veterans of this game genre and newcomers. The game cleverly combines different genres (roguelite, tactical action, and tower defense), making it suitable for a broad audience, both young and old.
Players can choose from a diverse cast of 8 different heroes with unique characteristics and weapons, allowing for various playstyles. The strategic element is enhanced by the ability to place and upgrade turrets, considering the strengths and weaknesses of different enemy types. Furthermore, the game provides enough challenges and rewards through collecting resources and opening chests for upgrades and new weapons.
However, the game is not always entirely pleasant and positive. This dungeon shooter can be confusing at times because crucial information is not always communicated clearly. A shorter, effective tutorial would be welcome. Some abilities of the heroes can be unclear, leading to confusion during gameplay.
The progression system and the display of discovered floors and sectors on the map can be confusing and frustrating for players who think they are replaying completed content.
https://inthegame.nl/2023/10/31/review-endless-dungeon/
-- ENGLISH VERSION --
After a long wait, ENDLESS Dungeon has finally been released. This light-hearted yet challenging game has been on the list of interesting games for a long time, and we've thoroughly checked it out! Amplitude Studios and SEGA have finally released this twin-stick shooter after a considerable delay. The entire game takes place in the ENDLESS universe, also known from the game Dungeon of the ENDLESS. The unique blend of roguelite, tactical action, and tower defense makes the game easy to pick up for both young and old.
Dive into an abandoned spaceship alone or with friends in co-op. Choose your desired heroes and defend your crystal against ENDLESS waves of different types of monsters.
Heroes, turrets, guns, and one crystal
In ENDLESS Dungeon, you explore the abandoned spaceship with a party of heroes. From 8 different heroes, you can assemble a team of up to 3, both in solo and co-op mode. Each hero has its own characteristics and type of weapon, allowing you to create different teams based on your playstyle. A character dealing more damage, for example, may have fewer hitpoints than a tank character, and the skills of each character will also differ.
You naturally don't defend your crystal-bot alone with your party. Within the dungeons you explore, you can build turrets of various types. Each monster type has its own weaknesses and strengths, requiring you to pay attention to where you place turrets on the map. The turrets can apparently be upgraded by hitting them with the melee button, a feature I discovered later.
Specific turrets against a particular type of enemy aren't handed to you easily. By opening doors, you obtain resources that allow you to activate certain stations. These stations range from researching new turrets to developing machines to acquire more resources. There are only a select number of these points per map, usually the strategic points that monsters love to attack. A strategic mind will surely find this enjoyable.
Of course, you can't defend yourself with just your fists, though you can, but that makes things a bit more challenging. In each dungeon, there are multiple chests you can open. From general currency to upgrade your heroes to new guns for your dungeon run, you can find various items. Like the previously described turrets, each weapon also has an "element" and playstyle. So, don't just pick up a weapon without inspecting what the current enemies are weak against!
Easy but not intuitive
ENDLESS Dungeon is a relatively easy game to pick up. If you're familiar with another twin-stick top-down shooter, you'll quickly get the hang of this game too. However, the game sometimes leaves you a bit too much on your own the first time you play. Some items don't provide any prompts, the UI isn't very "in your face," and the overall level progression is quite challenging to grasp.
The shooting, moving, and running in the game are self-explanatory, just like almost every ability of a hero character. However, some abilities aren't entirely clear in their effects, which can lead to confusion during gameplay. A real tutorial for the game, not too long, would be welcome.
The progression system is also a confusing mess. Through a map, they show which floors of which sectors you've discovered. The idea that you should be able to see at a glance how far you are with a sector is not particularly well executed. Confusion and frustration set in when you've apparently wasted an hour in a dungeon you've already completed.
Verdict
ENDLESS Dungeon offers an enjoyable, challenging gaming experience for both veterans of this game genre and newcomers. The game cleverly combines different genres (roguelite, tactical action, and tower defense), making it suitable for a broad audience, both young and old.
Players can choose from a diverse cast of 8 different heroes with unique characteristics and weapons, allowing for various playstyles. The strategic element is enhanced by the ability to place and upgrade turrets, considering the strengths and weaknesses of different enemy types. Furthermore, the game provides enough challenges and rewards through collecting resources and opening chests for upgrades and new weapons.
However, the game is not always entirely pleasant and positive. This dungeon shooter can be confusing at times because crucial information is not always communicated clearly. A shorter, effective tutorial would be welcome. Some abilities of the heroes can be unclear, leading to confusion during gameplay.
The progression system and the display of discovered floors and sectors on the map can be confusing and frustrating for players who think they are replaying completed content.