![]() Worse is getting hung up on a corner of geometry or being unable to properly target ranged foes since there’s no lock-on. It’s easy to get trapped in a corner or stuck behind shoulder-to-shoulder foes. The dodge roll feels slow and isn’t the foolproof escape that it is in other games of this type – a problem, since many rooms swarm the player. Such straightforward combat isn’t necessarily a bad thing since Boyfriend Dungeon’s focus is split, but a little polish wouldn’t hurt. Attacks come in light and heavy varieties, along with a dodge, a heal and a special ability such as a fireball, an aggro-drawing decoy or a sleep spell.Įach weapon has its own characteristics, but there’s not much going on here - I found success by sticking with the same three-hit combos for my favorites (the dagger and the scythe) and I generally had enough healing to get myself out of any trouble. The art in these sections takes a step down with blocky, generic graphics that are functional, but not as appealing as the rest. The action is third-person isometric, with a viewpoint that can’t be changed. More than anything, it’s just something to do between dates. ![]() In this case, the player is apparently dealing with fear of intimacy and connecting with others, most clearly evident in the theming of the bosses - that ‘frozen heart’ symbolism is hard to miss.Ĭombat in Boyfriend Dungeon gets the job done, although I can’t say that it’s great. Once the player’s ready, they select a weapon partner and enter an abandoned mall which functions as a multi-level dungeon called a “dunj.” Just like how the concept of humans turning into weapons is taken for granted, so is the idea that people will go into a literal dungeon to work on their emotional health. It’s a bit odd to see that aspect of the dating sim genre left out, but I chalked it up to being a relatively small production that likely needed to focus on a manageable number of elements. Boyfriend Dungeon seems very interested in offering a non-punitive, non-restrictive experience, so it’s possible to court everyone at once without any ill effects like jealousy or breakup. Interestingly, there are no penalties or dangers when romancing. His attacks start plain, but after a meetup he gains a ‘bleed’ effect which deals damage over time that can be enhanced by more dating. For example, Sunder is a Fabio-esque man who turns into a talwar-style curved sword. Multiple dialogue options crop up, and a successful date ends with the relationship improving and the love interest’s weapon form gaining an ability. Like most dating sims, the player chooses a potential match and enters into a conversation to feel out their likes, dislikes and foibles. Regardless of which way a person leans, there’s likely to be at least one or two faces they’ll connect with. ![]() There are a couple of traditionally hunky guys, of course, but then there’s a female-presenting character and a few who present as fluid or non-binary. The artwork for the dating sequences is top-notch – they’re pleasantly stylized and sharply designed, the voices are excellent, and I appreciated the efforts towards inclusion. They’re all open to the idea of romance while also dealing with a variety of issues such as college woes, difficult parents, artistic endeavors, the spirit world, and more. The player soon encounters several characters, each one introduced with a fantastically-animated transformation sequence showcasing both their weapon and human forms. I appreciate that the writers didn’t bend over backwards rationalizing any of this, it’s simply stated as fact and they move on, which was the right call. It’s not fully explained what the player’s story is or why they need help with dating, but things have to start somewhere.ĭuring this intro we learn that the world of Boyfriend Dungeon is populated by two kinds of people - humans who can inexplicably turn into weapons, and the humans who wield them. Cuz wants to set them up on dates and get them more socialized, so he’s an eager matchmaker. ![]() After creating a character (male, female or non-binary) the player arrives in a new city for the summer, greeted by their cousin. The premise of Boyfriend Dungeon is simple. Coming from Kitfox Games, this Kickstarter success story takes two separate genres - the dungeon crawler and the dating sim - and combines them to deliver a light and likable summertime romp. WTF How is there not an ‘adult’ version of this for sale somewhere?Īs someone who plays a lot of games, I’m always on the lookout for the new and noteworthy, and I’m especially interested in genre mashups – taking two established styles and combining them to create something fresh. ![]()
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