Undungeon is an action-RPG that doubles down on both the action and RPG. It has a fast-paced real-time combat system that has you hack and slash your way through a dying universe. The story immediately pulls you in by setting up deep, interwoven lore full of cosmic consequences, multidimensions, and tons of proper nouns. In fact, I was a little taken aback by the dense world Laughing Machine put together, and unceremoniously dumped on me. Thankfully it all came together pretty quickly once I started exploring the world and hacking up monsters. The game’s colorful art also does a great job of selling this wild world.
The best comparison I can make for the exploration in Undungeon is the original 2D Fallout games, or more recently the Wasteland series. You will explore different realms by wandering around various world maps. As you explore you will find points of interests you can “enter” into. Here you will fight enemies, rescue people in danger, and of course collect loot. Each area has a unique layout and things to find. You’ll also encounter a lot of NPCs who serve to expand the story, give you quests, and offer trade. The arsenal you acquire is mostly focused around fast attacking hand claws that you can improve over time, but you’ll also get access to traps, explosives, and a defensive skill that doubles a land mine. The variety of encounters and little secrets to find is generous, and each area serves to expand your understanding of the world.
The combat runs the line between a tedious hack ‘n’ slash system and a combo/dodge system. In my time with the game I found it satisfyingly intense, however, I also found the enemies to be uninspired. I quickly grew tired of killing the same mutated scorpions over and over. It certainly made me wish for more enemy variety early on, but I did enjoy the constant drip of new weapons and items. It’s certainly faster paced than most RPGs of this style, but I’m not sure if there is enough variety to keep me engaged to end.
As far as RPG systems go, this is an RPG-ass RPG. You are gaining experience to level up your Core, which allows you to slot runes that give you bonuses to your attack, defense, stamina, etc… In my time with the game I was consistently coming upon new runes, and swapping them out was quick and easy. It’s also possible to quip different organs in your body, but I still have yet to discover how that system will work. The XP came at a decent rate, and combine that with the loot system and I always felt like I was getting better. Suffice to say, Undungeon should satisfy those looking for a deep RPG experience.
Undongeon is a unique little beast. It boasts a well thought out world and lore that’s brought to life through beautiful art and dialogue. The fast-paced combat adds momentum to this type of deep, character driven RPG. While I am not yet sold on the staying power of the combat, I am sold on everything else, and that’s more than enough to get me excited to see more.
