A group of characters stand ready for battle in Endless Dungeon
Posted By Wynn Johnson Posted On

Endless Dungeon: A Fun Yet Flawed Descent into the Endless Universe

The Endless series, developed by Amplitude Studios, is known for its intricate 4X gameplay that often demands more time understanding the mechanics than actually playing. Their latest offering, Endless Dungeon, ventures into new territory, blending dungeon crawling with tower defense, rogue-like elements, and top-down shooter action. This ambitious crossover aims to revitalize the Dungeon of the Endless concept within the established Endless universe. Does this unlikely combination succeed? And does the notorious complexity of the Endless series make a return? Let’s delve into the depths of this quirky yet challenging space station.

A group of characters stand ready for battle in Endless DungeonA group of characters stand ready for battle in Endless Dungeon

A Quirky Crew in a Stunning Setting

Endless Dungeon follows a band of unlikely heroes stranded on a derelict space station harboring terrifying secrets. Their mission: fight their way to the station’s core, disable its gravity, and escape the lurking horrors. Despite the grim premise, the game adopts a surprisingly lighthearted and humorous tone. Gruesome deaths and monstrous enemies are presented with a touch of irony, highlighting the heroes’ predicament.

This approach complements the distinct visual style that has become a hallmark of Amplitude Studios. Endless Dungeon inherits the vibrant, detailed aesthetic seen in previous Endless titles, particularly Endless Space 2. The dark, technology-filled corridors of the security sector contrast sharply with the lush, overgrown greenhouses of the bio-labs and the pristine hallways of the executive wing. Each area is meticulously crafted, bringing the previously abstract locations of Endless Space to vivid life.

Characters exploring a section of the space station in Endless DungeonCharacters exploring a section of the space station in Endless Dungeon

While the environments are richly detailed, the character designs are intentionally simplified, focusing on personality and role. This prioritizes visual clarity during gameplay without sacrificing the characters’ unique identities. This balanced approach to visuals ensures that the game remains engaging and expressive without becoming overwhelming.

A character aims their weapon in a dark corridor in Endless DungeonA character aims their weapon in a dark corridor in Endless Dungeon

A Myriad of Ways to Fail (and Succeed) in Space

Amplitude Studios has a knack for taking familiar game formulas and adding layers of complexity. Endless Dungeon is no exception. It takes the well-trodden path of dungeon crawling and rogue-like shooters, reminiscent of games like Enter the Gungeon and Hades, but adds the twists of tower defense and team-based gameplay.

Players lead a squad of up to three heroes, exploring room by room with the goal of guiding a fourth character, the Crystal Bot, to the exit. Each opened door presents the risk of encountering a monster spawn point. These points don’t trigger immediately but activate in waves, either after opening too many doors or when the player manually triggers them to unlock new defenses.

Players setting up defenses in Endless DungeonPlayers setting up defenses in Endless Dungeon

This simple mechanic introduces a compelling layer of strategy. Opening doors rewards players with Industry, Science, and Food resources, used to purchase upgrades, weapons, and defenses. The constant dilemma: risk opening more doors for resources and potentially unleashing more monsters, or conserve resources and face underpreparedness against tougher enemies later?

A character firing their weapon at enemies in Endless DungeonA character firing their weapon at enemies in Endless Dungeon

The strategic depth increases as the Crystal Bot gains new abilities, like movement, self-upgrading, and even boss battling. Players must constantly make impactful tactical decisions in real-time, unlike the turn-based deliberation of other Endless titles. This creates a dynamic gameplay loop where quick thinking and adaptation are crucial.

A character using a special ability in Endless DungeonA character using a special ability in Endless Dungeon

With eight distinct heroes, each boasting unique skills and upgrade paths, team composition and resource management become further layers of the strategic puzzle. While the complexity can be overwhelming initially, the intuitive character design and responsive controls ensure a satisfying gameplay experience. The AI efficiently manages inactive characters, making solo play manageable despite the multitasking demands.

Enemies swarming the Crystal Bot in Endless DungeonEnemies swarming the Crystal Bot in Endless Dungeon

Falling Short of its Potential

Despite the strong foundation, Endless Dungeon‘s current content offerings feel insufficient. The initial complexity eventually gives way to ease as players unlock powerful upgrades and grasp the game’s mechanics. The abundance of tools and strategies provided to the player outweighs the challenges presented by the game.

Characters fighting enemies in a brightly lit area of the space station in Endless DungeonCharacters fighting enemies in a brightly lit area of the space station in Endless Dungeon

After 10-15 hours, the strategic depth becomes less relevant as players become overpowered. The limited variety of enemies, bosses, and lack of mini-bosses contribute to this feeling of premature mastery. The Blackout events, while intended to add challenge, often feel more like annoyances than genuine threats.

A character using a melee weapon in Endless DungeonA character using a melee weapon in Endless Dungeon

Endless Dungeon ultimately suffers from a lack of content to fully utilize its intricate mechanics. The game provides a wealth of strategic options, but the limited challenges and enemy variety leave players wanting more. The result is a somewhat anticlimactic experience where the initial learning curve gives way to a relatively easy endgame.

The Crystal Bot surrounded by enemies in Endless DungeonThe Crystal Bot surrounded by enemies in Endless Dungeon

A close-up of a character in Endless DungeonA close-up of a character in Endless Dungeon

A character standing in front of the Crystal Bot in Endless DungeonA character standing in front of the Crystal Bot in Endless Dungeon

A character firing a weapon in Endless DungeonA character firing a weapon in Endless Dungeon

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