Title: Endless Dungeon: A Review of Amplitude Studios’ Latest Sci-Fi RPG
Developer Amplitude Studios introduces Endless Dungeon, a fusion of tower defense and roguelike action RPG elements set in the ‘Endless’ universe. The game, available on multiple platforms, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, was released on October 19, 2023. However, despite its impressive visual style and soundtrack, Endless Dungeon fails to deliver a satisfying gaming experience due to its repetitive mechanics and lackluster characters.
Endless Dungeon takes place in an abandoned space station where a group of heroes crash-landed. To escape, players must guide a fragile robot through procedurally generated corridors to reach the core. Should they fail, they return to the heroes’ base camp, a visually appealing space-western saloon.
Each hero in the game has their own set of abilities and starting firearm, which can be swapped over the course of a mission. Players can also set down various turrets in each room of the station using resources collected throughout the adventure.
Unfortunately, the game falls short in its gameplay mechanics. The arsenal of weapons lacks variety, with the effects feeling indistinguishable from one another. The combat becomes repetitive and lacks depth, as there are no reloading or attack-timing mechanics. The turret management system offers more variety, but since players must constantly escort the crystal bot, there’s little opportunity to witness the turrets’ effectiveness.
The party system, which allows players to control multiple heroes, adds some variety, particularly in co-op mode. However, the characters themselves lack depth, and their lackluster backstories and minimal dialogue make them feel one-dimensional.
Endless Dungeon’s stunning visuals and impressive soundtrack enhance the gaming experience, but they cannot compensate for the lack of engaging gameplay. Bland characters, repetitive encounters, and a lack of distinctive weapons detract from the overall experience. The game lacks a fleshed-out storyline and variable game mechanics, making it difficult to stay invested and motivating players to return to its twisted corridors.
In terms of accessibility features, Endless Dungeon offers limited options. Players can adjust subtitle size, UI scale, and screen shake levels. The aiming laser is toggled on by default.
Overall, while Endless Dungeon presents an appealing premise and aesthetic, it unfortunately falls short in delivering a satisfying gaming experience. Players may find themselves bored by the repetitive mechanics and shallow characters, leading to a lack of motivation to continue playing.
