- Game: Dungeon of Hinterberg
- Developer/Publisher: Microbird Games / Curve Games
- Review Platform: Steam (Steam Deck)
- Release Date: 18th July 2024
Author’s Note: A Game Key for Dungeons of Hinterberg was kindly provided by Curve Games
Have you ever wanted to visit the Alps? Of course, you have!
A place full of gorgeous scenery to be discovered, from beautiful forests to snowy mountains. Tranquil and ready to be explored.
However, there is something unique about the village of Hinterberg. Tourists have claimed it to be a hotspot, especially since the village has been transformed with magic. That’s also not to mention the monsters and mystical dungeons many adventurers set out to explore.
Of course, you as the player are no different! Arriving with your sword ready to go, and a quick whirlwind introduction and you’re off!
Upon starting Dungeons of Hinterberg for the first time, I was excited but also curious. I’d seen the game showcased online. Even from those first few times I discovered the game, I knew I wanted to know more. There was just something about the game that I knew would also keep me coming back for more.
The First Few Days
You play as Luisa, who is visiting Hinterberg with every intention of slaying! Taking a break from the corporate world as a Lawyer in Vienna. A time to rediscover herself and the meaning of life, too. Sounds relatable right?
For the duration of your stay, you reside in Hinterberg. The tourist town that has used the new-found magic and integrated it into the economy and everyday life. There’s even a unique currency that players can use to purchase items to use along their journey.
Of course, one of the many activities you can enjoy in Hinterberg is exploring the mystical Dungeons. There are many of them to discover, each with its own unique charm!
To get you started, the residents of Hinterberg guide you with everything you need to know. Including how to tackle your first dungeon and more!
You can also explore the town, go shopping for essentials, and meet the residents of Hinterberg and those visiting too. While you’re at it, you can also get to know some of the familiar faces you see around.
An Average Day
Your day is split up into several segments, morning, noon, afternoon and evening. I’ve adopted a slight schedule during this time. I’ve taken to trying to explore and take on dungeons earlier in the day. This way, I can spend the rest of the day exploring Hinterberg village and focusing on Luisa. I work on my friendships with other characters, take on side quests, or spend time taking care of Luisa’s needs.
Open World and Dungeons
Exploring the different locations of the wider Hinterberg area is great fun. You can interact with other characters, some of which will give you side quests. Luisa can also take on monsters of varying difficulties in open areas, gather resources and take in picturesque surroundings.
As for the dungeons, each one is unique and varies in difficulty. You come across a variety of different puzzles which make use of your skills, be that slaying monsters, using magic or thinking outside the box.
You also get to collect stamps in your Stamp Book as you complete each dungeon!
Gear and Difficulty Levels
Gear can be swapped out and changed easily throughout the game. Like many games, the better your gear, the better your player stats.
Luisa can also make use of Attack Conduits and Charms. She uses them alongside her sword and other gear. These enhance her battle-slaying skills and add to some very intense and memorable fights!
You’ll also notice around the world when heading to dungeons and exploring the world some signposts. These will usually show a monster logo and a colour. This can be green, amber, red and so on. This signifies the difficulty of the upcoming monsters in the area or the dungeon. You can also check a dungeon’s difficulty in your player Stamp Book.
Overall Thoughts
Dungeons of Hinterberg is definitely my go-to game at the moment. If I’m not playing, I’ve been curious as to what lies ahead of Luisa. What kind of dungeon will I get next? Will I get stuck on the next puzzle? There are just so many questions.
For me, the varying gameplay between exploration and somewhat cosy vibes has been perfect. This is mixed with the action of slaying monsters and traversing dungeons. It’s exactly what I was hoping from the game and what we got!
Control-wise, it is incredibly easy to get a hang of the controls, especially on Steam Deck. It just flows perfectly and seamlessly.
What I love about Dungeons of Hinterberg, is that it is technically an action-adventure RPG. Despite this, I find it incredibly cosy at the same time.
However, that’s not all! The music and art style of the game are definitely some of my favourite of the year so far. For me, it gives the game a different feel compared to others but also elevates the player experience. The puzzles mixed into the various combat and exploration work brilliantly together and keep the gameplay alive.
Overall, Dungeons of Hinterberg has been a pleasant experience which keeps pulling me back in more and more. It’s addictive in all the right ways. It also gives you moments to just pause and take everything in at a slower pace.
This is definitely one game I’m recommending that you check out if you are looking for something new to play. You can check the game out on Steam or Xbox via Game Pass right now!
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