A quote by Nelson Mandela perfectly sums up Undungeon: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”. Before we go any further into this review, read that quote again, think about it and then decide if that sounds like a game you’d enjoy. Undungeon is not a game for everyone, the same way Dark Souls or The Sims isn’t for everyone.
Undungeon is extremely unrelenting and punishing. It’s text-heavy, and the levels of frustration it brings out is unmatched. Still, in the same breath, Undungeon is unique, visually stunning, has a story that can only be called fantastical and brings a fresh feeling to everything you do. There is also something to be said for the deep feelings of satisfaction and achievement for each passing minute you manage to stay alive.
You play as a herald (messenger) to the gods named Void. Void has just been born seconds before the game starts, and he is just as clueless about this world he finds himself in as you are. As Void, you need to look for answers about who you are, your purpose, information about the world you’re in – a system that makes every interaction you have within the game essential and a chance to uncover something new. Reality is busy folding in on itself around you, and your goal as Void is to try to save it and rectify wrongs that were put into action long before you were even born. You also have to stay alive.
Undungeon gives you no sympathy, and instead of offering you swimming lessons or a floatation device, it just throws you into the ocean and expects you to swim. Every single mistake is punished. An excellent example of this is the combat system. Each time an enemy manages to hit your herald, they get a permanent buff to their strength and become harder to kill. You will also need to contend with equipment that degrades, resources that are almost impossible to find, and a seemingly never-ending slew of enemies wherever you go, all while those same enemies just become stranger and strong with each attack not dodged.
The gameplay itself is pretty simple in theory. You only ever have two actions you can take. You can use an item or use a piece of equipment. Things start getting complicated with the abundance of augmentations and customizations you can do. Your herald can change their organs to change their stats, like improving health or making merchants sell to you for less. There are also cores that represent your level. These cores unlock slots so that you can add runes and nodes to your herald, further augmenting their abilities.
As of right now, Undungeon boasts two different heralds you can play, each with their own core playstyle and weapons associated with them. The developers have also promised to add more with future updates.
Even though they are two completely different styles of game, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my time in Disco Elysium while playing Undungeon. I think it’s because they are both very text-heavy games and how they handle the story is directly comparable. However, unlike Disco Elysium, which boasts a cast of excellent voice actors to help relieve the very text heaviness of the game, Undungeon does not. Meaning you’ll have to be prepared for a lot of reading, otherwise, you risk missing out on the story altogether, which is arguably the best part of the game.
There is something almost nostalgic in the way Undungeon plays, even though I know I’ve never experienced anything quite like it before. Undungoen is not the game to pick up if you’re looking for a quick casual playthrough, but, If you’re in the mood for something deep and dense that is constantly pulling you further and further into its story, then this is the game for you.
