Links

Steam

Twitch

CRITIK

Dungeons of Hinterberg

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Dungeons of Hinterberg
Item: Dungeons of Hinterberg
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Third Person Perspective, Puzzle and Logic, Interactive Movie, RPG, Single Player

AvailableJul 18, 2024

PlatformXbox Series X, PC

DeveloperMicrobird Games

Overview

From developer Microbird, Dungeons of Hinterberg takes place in the Austrian Alps, where the small town of Hinterberg has become a tourist destination due to its lush scenery and crisp mountain air. And also monsters. It's a great place to holiday if you want to kill some monsters.

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

83%

Mixed (50-79)

17%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Dungeons of Hinterberg has garnered praise from several critics for its unique and engaging narrative. Critics like Digital Trends and PCGamesN commend the game for its nuanced storytelling that delves into themes of personal growth, political intrigue, and the impact of magic on the town of Hinterberg. The narrative is described as weighty, consistent, and complementing the gameplay well by IGN Brasil. The focus on self-discovery, relationships, and exploring mysteries in a magical setting resonates positively with critics like GameSkinny and Noisy Pixel. The game's premise of a lawyer-in-training on vacation in a magical tourist destination, as highlighted by CGMagazine, sets the stage for unexpected happenings and evolving relationships, adding depth to the overall storytelling experience. On the flip side, some critics express reservations about the story of Dungeons of Hinterberg. RPG Site finds the narrative to be predictable and lacking strong emotional impact, suggesting that the storytelling may not offer significant surprises or deep emotional connections for players. COGconnected mentions that the game features a thin narrative veneer over standard ARPG gameplay, indicating that the story might not be as robust or immersive as some players would prefer. While Twinfinite acknowledges the story's predictability, they note that it serves its purpose in enhancing character bonds and influencing gameplay decisions, implying that the narrative may not offer groundbreaking twists but still contributes to the overall player experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Dungeons of Hinterberg is largely positive, with many appreciating its unique premise, character development, and thematic exploration. The game successfully blends elements of self-discovery, personal growth, and magical intrigue to create an engaging narrative experience. Critics like Checkpoint Gaming and But Why Tho?? highlight the intriguing premise, evolving relationships, and relatable conflicts that resonate with players, particularly younger generations. Despite some criticisms regarding predictability and narrative depth, the overall sentiment suggests that the story effectively complements the gameplay, offering an immersive and enjoyable journey through the magical town of Hinterberg.

TL;DR

story and narrative

In the world of Dungeons of Hinterberg, critics praise its engaging narrative exploring personal growth, political intrigue, and magical impact. While some find the story predictable and lacking emotional depth, others appreciate its unique premise and character development. Overall, critics commend the game for blending self-discovery, relationships, and magical mysteries, offering an immersive and enjoyable experience despite some shortcomings.

Gameplay Mechanics

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

54%

Mixed (50-79)

46%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Dungeons of Hinterberg has received praise from multiple critics for its positive aspects. CGMagazine appreciates the modern take on N64-era 3D Zelda titles with unique puzzles and magic abilities tied to specific biomes. Checkpoint Gaming highlights the captivating manner in which the game combines puzzles, combat, and relationship-building, with distinct dungeons and satisfying mechanics. COGconnected commends the classic ARPG combat mechanics, environmental puzzles, and variety of dungeons to explore, providing a well-rounded gameplay experience. On the downside, some critics point out certain negatives in the gameplay of Dungeons of Hinterberg. Digital Trends mentions that the combat can become repetitive and lacks enemy variety, potentially leading to a less engaging experience for players. Twinfinite echoes this sentiment by stating that while the game features clever puzzles and enjoyable dungeon exploration, the combat lacks variety and becomes repetitive over time. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Dungeons of Hinterberg offers a compelling gameplay experience that combines elements of combat, puzzle-solving, exploration, and relationship-building in a cohesive manner. IGN Brasil praises the creative puzzles in dungeons and competent combat, while GameSkinny appreciates the mix of combat and puzzles with adjustable difficulty levels. Despite some concerns about combat repetition, the majority of critics find the gameplay to be engaging and well-rounded, catering to fans of action RPGs and dungeon-crawling adventures. The game's blend of social simulation elements, diverse magical abilities, and strategic gameplay choices resonates positively with reviewers, making Dungeons of Hinterberg a recommended title for those seeking a mix of traditional and innovative gameplay mechanics.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics rave about Dungeons of Hinterberg's gameplay, praising its modern take on N64-era Zelda titles with unique puzzles and magic abilities tied to biomes. While some mention repetitive combat and lack of enemy variety, overall, the game impresses with its blend of combat, puzzles, exploration, and relationship-building. Reviewers highlight creative puzzles, competent combat, and a well-rounded experience, making it a recommended choice for action RPG and dungeon-crawling fans.

Graphics and Visual Design

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

70%

Mixed (50-79)

30%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Dungeons of Hinterberg, highlighting its vibrant and captivating art style. CGMagazine commended the game for its "striking comic-book-inspired aesthetic" that features grounded yet fantastical characters and environments, setting a visually appealing tone. Checkpoint Gaming and COGconnected also lauded the game's gorgeous visual aesthetic, beautifully designed dungeons, and colorful stylized line-art reminiscent of the Dragon Quest series, capturing the essence of the Austrian Alps. Additionally, Gfinity and IGN Brasil appreciated the game's bright colors, unique comic book effect, and creative dungeon designs that offer a visually appealing and engaging experience. Despite the overall positive reception, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the Graphics and Visual Design of Dungeons of Hinterberg. Digital Trends mentioned that while the scenery had a colorful pop art style, the characters were described as toy-like, which may not work well for visuals. New Game Network highlighted technical issues such as clipping and pop-in problems, detracting from the otherwise charming cel-shaded style that fits the game's charms. RPG Site also noted setbacks like aliasing in dialogue boxes and simplistic enemy designs, indicating areas where the visual presentation could be improved for a more polished experience. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Dungeons of Hinterberg. The game's vibrant and captivating art style, diverse environments, and distinct regions were widely praised for enhancing the overall experience and making exploration rewarding. Despite some minor criticisms regarding character designs and technical issues, the majority of reviewers appreciated the game's unique aesthetic, with many highlighting its dreamlike, painterly art style, charming village atmosphere, and creative dungeon designs. Overall, the Graphics and Visual Design of Dungeons of Hinterberg were well-received, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersive world-building, as acknowledged by critics such as PCGamesN, The Indie Informer, and But Why Tho??.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Dungeons of Hinterberg wows critics with its vibrant, captivating art style inspired by comic books and the Austrian Alps. While praised for its gorgeous visuals and creative dungeon designs, some critics noted issues like toy-like character models and technical glitches. Overall, the game's unique aesthetic and immersive world-building receive overwhelming positive feedback, making exploration rewarding despite minor flaws.

Music and Sound Design

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

71%

Mixed (50-79)

14%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Dungeons of Hinterberg received mixed opinions from critics. Positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the melodic soundscapes and detailed sound design that enhance the atmosphere of the game. TechRadar Gaming appreciated the detailed sound design, while But Why Tho?? and Digital Spy praised the ambient soundtrack for creating a relaxing and engaging experience. Pure Xbox also noted that the music and sound design contribute to the laid-back nature of the game, enhancing exploration and combat. On the other hand, several critics pointed out shortcomings in the Sound Design and Music of Dungeons of Hinterberg. COGconnected and New Game Network criticized the lack of voice acting and monster audio, with COGconnected mentioning that the audio design is underwhelming overall. New Game Network also highlighted the middling soundtrack and absence of spoken dialogue, which they felt turned the game into a less immersive experience akin to a podcast. Additionally, New Game Network suggested that more variety in enemy designs could have improved the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a positive sentiment regarding the Sound Design and Music of Dungeons of Hinterberg. While there are criticisms regarding the lack of voice acting, monster audio, and variety in enemy designs, the majority of reviewers appreciate the melodic soundscapes, ambient soundtrack, and detailed sound design that contribute to the atmospheric and engaging nature of the game. The positive comments from But Why Tho??, Digital Spy, and Pure Xbox emphasize the role of music and sound design in enhancing the overall experience and creating a relaxing atmosphere for players. The differing opinions indicate that while there are areas for improvement, the Sound Design and Music of Dungeons of Hinterberg generally succeed in immersing players in its world.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics have mixed opinions on the sound design and music of Dungeons of Hinterberg. Positive feedback includes praise for the melodic soundscapes and detailed design that enhance the game's atmosphere. However, some critics criticize the lack of voice acting and monster audio, as well as the middling soundtrack. While there are areas for improvement, overall, reviewers find the music and sound design contribute positively to the game's experience, creating a relaxing and engaging atmosphere for players.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

25%

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of positive feedback for the PC platform, GGRecon notes that Dungeons of Hinterberg runs smoothly with only a few frame rate stumbles during intense combat, particularly highlighting its performance on the Steam Deck OLED. TechRadar Gaming also praises the overall fluid performance on both PC and Steam Deck, despite occasional frame rate drops on the Steam Deck. Pure Xbox echoes this sentiment for the Xbox Series X, mentioning that the game's performance is generally stable with only minor hiccups in performance mode, without encountering serious bugs during the playthrough. On the downside, several critics point out technical issues on the PC platform. COGconnected and Gfinity both mention control problems, with COGconnected specifically highlighting janky and imprecise controls that make solving puzzles a chore. New Game Network reports visual problems like clipping and pop-in issues, while Twinfinite notes minor quality-of-life issues such as character glitches and respawning at earlier locations after death. Moving to the Xbox Series X platform, Metro GameCentral and SpazioGames highlight issues with controls, camera angles, frequent loading screens, and the lack of voice acting, impacting the overall technical performance negatively. Overall, while some critics like GGRecon and Pure Xbox found the game to perform well on both PC and Xbox Series X, with only minor issues, others such as COGconnected, New Game Network, Metro GameCentral, and SpazioGames raised concerns about various technical aspects affecting the gameplay experience. The consensus among the critics seems to lean towards a mixed reception regarding the technical performance of Dungeons of Hinterberg, with some platforms showcasing better stability and performance than others. The feedback suggests that while the game may run smoothly on certain platforms like the Steam Deck and Xbox Series X, there are notable technical shortcomings that detract from the overall experience, particularly on PC and Xbox Series X.

TL;DR

technical performance

GGRecon and Pure Xbox praise Dungeons of Hinterberg for smooth performance on PC and Xbox Series X, with minor issues. Critics like COGconnected and New Game Network raise concerns about technical problems such as controls and visuals. Overall, opinions are mixed on the game's technical performance, with some platforms faring better than others.

Replay Value

Click for more details

SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of Dungeons of Hinterberg are largely positive. Many critics highlighted the game's various elements that contribute to replayability, such as evolving relationships, multiple story arcs, adjustable difficulty levels, and diverse combat strategies. Checkpoint Gaming and Noisy Pixel both praised the game for encouraging replaying dungeons for loot and character boosts, while Digital Trends and PCGamesN emphasized the intricate puzzles and character interactions that deepen the gameplay experience. Additionally, reviewers like GGRecon and Hobby Consolas appreciated the variety in gameplay mechanics and social simulation elements that provide different experiences with each playthrough. On the other hand, some critics pointed out potential drawbacks that may impact the game's replay value. GameSkinny mentioned that the climbing mechanic and lack of exploration freedom could affect replayability for some players. New Game Network expressed concerns about lacking fundamentals in combat and relationship building segments, which may deter players from returning for repeat runs. SpazioGames also noted inconsistencies in puzzle quality, which could detract from the overall experience and potentially hinder replay value for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Dungeons of Hinterberg offers substantial replay value through its engaging gameplay loop, diverse gameplay mechanics, and meaningful character interactions. Critics like COGconnected and Twinfinite highlighted the game's incentives for multiple playthroughs to experience different story paths and character arcs. Despite some minor criticisms regarding certain gameplay aspects, the majority of reviewers found the game to be immersive, rewarding, and worth revisiting for fans of ARPGs and social simulation games. The overall sentiment suggests that Dungeons of Hinterberg successfully delivers on its promise of providing an enjoyable and replayable experience for players looking to explore its rich game world and engaging mechanics.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics are mostly positive about the replay value of Dungeons of Hinterberg, praising its evolving relationships, multiple story arcs, and diverse combat strategies. Some highlight the incentive to replay dungeons for loot and character boosts, while others appreciate intricate puzzles and character interactions. However, there are concerns about drawbacks like limited exploration freedom and inconsistent puzzle quality. Overall, critics agree that the game offers substantial replay value with engaging gameplay and meaningful interactions, making it worth revisiting for fans of ARPGs and social simulation games.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

81%

Mixed (50-79)

19%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics' opinions on Dungeons of Hinterberg highlight several positive aspects of the game. CGMagazine praises it as a "wonderful and unexpectedly charming action RPG," emphasizing the game's appeal to genre fans. Checkpoint Gaming commends the game for cleverly combining puzzles, combat, and relationship-building into a captivating indie experience with memorable moments and a gorgeous aesthetic. IGN Brasil appreciates the synergistic blend of The Legend of Zelda and Persona mechanics, noting the shining dungeons and combat elements. Additionally, PCGamesN lauds the captivating story, engaging gameplay, beautiful visuals, and replay value as standout features of the game. On the flip side, some critics point out areas where Dungeons of Hinterberg falls short. COGconnected highlights issues with platforming, forced social elements, underwhelming audio design, and small combat arenas that hinder the overall experience. GameSkinny mentions flaws like finicky climbing mechanics and lack of exploration freedom, which may detract from the enjoyment for some players. TechRadar Gaming criticizes the clunky combat and repetitive puzzles as drawbacks, despite praising the heartfelt story, art style, and choice-driven gameplay. SpazioGames notes technical limitations and gameplay balance issues that could impact the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among critics is generally positive towards Dungeons of Hinterberg. The game is praised for its creativity, engaging gameplay mechanics, captivating story, and unique blend of genres. Despite some shortcomings in combat, technical aspects, and social elements, the majority of reviewers find the game to offer a satisfying and enjoyable experience. Critics like GGRecon and But Why Tho?? laud the game as sensational and fantastic, respectively, highlighting its addicting gameplay and engaging narrative. While there are criticisms regarding specific aspects of the game, such as combat and platforming issues, the overall sentiment leans towards recommending Dungeons of Hinterberg as a worthwhile adventure for players seeking a mix of action, RPG, and social simulation elements.

TL;DR

Dungeons of Hinterberg impresses critics with its charming action RPG elements, captivating puzzles, and beautiful aesthetic. While some mention shortcomings like platforming issues and clunky combat, overall consensus is positive, praising the game's engaging gameplay, captivating story, and unique blend of genres.

CRITIK

Reviews

85 reviews found

100

GGRecon

Jul 18, 2024