Dungeons of Sundaria, upon first glance, promises a classic loot-driven adventure reminiscent of the golden age of dungeon crawlers. Unfortunately, the descent into its depths reveals a frustrating experience riddled with technical issues, unrewarding gameplay, and a complete lack of engagement. While the game attempts to capture the nostalgia of yesteryear, it stumbles in execution, leaving players yearning for fresh air rather than epic treasures.
A Journey Through Nausea:
My first steps into Sundaria were not marked by heroism, but dizziness. The game’s camera controls, particularly the jarring first-person perspective, coupled with the protagonist’s erratic movement, induced a wave of motion sickness. This wasn’t a fleeting discomfort; it persisted throughout the first level, significantly dampening my enthusiasm for exploring the dungeon’s depths. Switching to third-person view did little to alleviate the problem. While the option to switch to third-person exists, it offered little solace, sacrificing precision for a clunky over-the-shoulder view.
Graphics: 4
Sound: 5
Controls: 4
Story: 4
Engaging: 2
Overall: 3.8
The Unending Dungeon Delve:
The first level of Sundaria felt like an eternity. The initial dungeon, while visually decent, lacked any sense of variety. Monotonous corridors stretched on endlessly, punctuated by repetitive enemy encounters and stale puzzles. The lack of meaningful checkpoints only exacerbated the tedium. Each death, brought on by clunky combat and unclear hitboxes, meant restarting long stretches, further eroding my patience. What should have been a thrilling introduction felt like a relentless slog, draining any initial excitement.
Clumsy Combat, Unrewarding Loot:
Combat in Sundaria, unfortunately, mirrored the level design: repetitive and unrewarding. The directional targeting system felt sluggish and unresponsive, leading to missed attacks and frustrating exchanges. The enemies themselves lacked diversity, offering little challenge beyond their sheer numbers. The promised “loot-driven power fantasy” quickly fizzled out. The rewards for overcoming these tedious encounters were generic loot drops with minimal impact on gameplay. The thrill of finding a powerful item was absent, replaced by a sense of indifference towards the ever-growing pile of useless equipment.
An Unengaging Story and World:
The narrative in Sundaria is as shallow as its dungeons. The premise, while generic, could have served as a foundation for a compelling adventure. However, the story is delivered through bland dialogue and uninteresting characters, failing to capture any emotional investment. The world itself feels lifeless and generic, devoid of any unique lore or personality. Exploring Sundaria felt like checking boxes on a generic fantasy checklist, offering no surprises or memorable moments.
A Technical Descent:
Beyond the core gameplay issues, Sundaria is plagued by technical shortcomings. The frame rate dips noticeably during intense encounters, further impacting the already clunky combat. The user interface is cluttered and confusing, making inventory management and character progression a chore. The lack of polish extends to the visuals, with textures popping in and out, and enemies clipping through the environment. These technical issues compounded the existing problems, creating an overall experience that felt rough and unfinished.
A Glimmer of Hope?
It wouldn’t be entirely fair to paint Sundaria as devoid of any redeeming qualities. The online multiplayer mode offers a potential avenue for enjoyment. Grouping up with friends to tackle dungeons might alleviate some of the tedium, and the shared experience could foster a sense of camaraderie. However, even in a group setting, the core issues with level design, combat, and loot remain, casting a shadow over the multiplayer experience.
In Conclusion:
Dungeons of Sundaria is a missed opportunity. While it attempts to recapture the spirit of classic dungeon crawlers, it fails to deliver a compelling or engaging experience. The technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and uninspired story create a frustrating and ultimately forgettable adventure. For those seeking a nostalgic dungeon-delving experience, look elsewhere. Sundaria’s depths offer nothing but frustration and disappointment.