Reviews// Dungeon Runners (PC Download)

When it comes to environments, DR goes for the blatant Star Wars approach to variety and throws you from forest to fire pit, from tundra to crypt and so on. Levels are set out like Diablo, meaning they are randomised around some specific “hub” type areas. There is enough variety to keep momentum up, however, things can get monotonous if you hang around particular areas for too long.

Waypoint scrolls can be used at any time to whisk you to town and back again, and thankfully they never disappear (unless you create a new one). This is a great addition, because if real life comes knocking and you need to quit immediately, you can teleport out of whatever underground lair you pushed your way into in a snap and come back later. Sure the dungeon will be randomised again, but at least you don’t have to fight all the way back down.

With DR being a carrot and stick-styled game, as you mow down the rampaging hordes you naturally pick up all kinds of interesting kit, and in keeping with the game’s humorous tone it is all ridiculously named.

NCSoft has thrown in every weapon and piece of armour it could think of, and have utilised a mostly randomised naming system to ensure that your, “Jarring unclear crystal greaves of the unadulterated ant” and “Blazing uber dagger of the monkey” look special compared to the generic “Cardboard Warhammer”.

Weapons are either one-handed or two, one-handed weapons can be used with shields or dual wielded, while two-handed weapons trade up defence for far more powerful attacks. Attack speed varies between weapon classes, running from ludicrous and freakin' fast, to fast, normal, slothful and grandma.

So What’s The Catch?
Bucking the cliché, DR is actually a free lunch. You’ll just be having a vegetarian main instead of the surf’n’turf if you skimp on a full membership.

Being a member gives you access to the all the premium gear you pick up along the way. You don’t need the best gear to get along, but it sure does make life easier. Members also score an extra 220 slots of item storage in town. This takes some of the burden off the backpack and lets you hoard rare gear for later use or class changes. Members are also given stackable potions and log-in queue priority on busy servers.

You aren’t disadvantaged by sticking with the free service, and the game does not require membership to enjoy or complete. You just have to be more careful with potions and more ruthless with your backpack management. Membership does make life so much easier though and honestly, at £2.50 a month is a small price to pay for a solid MMO.

Conclusion
One gets the impression NCSoft had fun with DR during development and this certainly shines through during play. Sure the graphics aren’t on par with the latest releases and the single player experience is quite shallow, but overall DR is great for some quick hack and slash action, and for those who want to get in on some MMO goodness without selling their souls to the rampaging WoW beast.

SPOnG Score
80%