Roguelite video games have experienced a surge in popularity over the past decade, capturing the attention of gamers worldwide. These games, characterized by their run-based format where progress is lost upon death, provide an exhilarating experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats. With procedurally generated stages that offer a fresh experience with each playthrough, the best roguelite games always leave players craving for just one more turn. One of the latest high-profile entries into this genre is Endless Dungeon, developed by Amplitude Studios. As a French developer with a reputation for creating addictive gameplay, Amplitude has previously received critical acclaim for strategy games such as Endless Legend and Endless Space, paving the way for Endless Dungeon to expand on their action-oriented ideas explored in Dungeon of the Endless. This highly anticipated game is set to release on October 19, 2023, for PC and all current-generation consoles, offering players a unique blend of frenetic arcade-style action and tower defense elements in a dynamically changing map.
Endless Dungeon takes players on a captivating space Western-style adventure, complete with an immersive soundtrack featuring sleazy guitars, robot cowboys, and tough-as-nails space marines. However, what sets Endless Dungeon apart is its connection to Amplitude’s wider Endless universe, which combines various sci-fi and fantasy tropes and envisions them throughout different ages. For players familiar with Amplitude’s previous titles, such as Legend or Space, they will find certain elements that have been seamlessly incorporated into Endless Dungeon. It’s important to note that Endless Dungeon diverges from Amplitude’s historical-based game, Humankind, as it creates a completely unique experience that is not grounded in real human history.
In Endless Dungeon, your objective is to assemble a squad of three characters from a roster of eight and venture into a spine-chilling, abandoned space station. Your mission is to escort a Crystal Bot through each procedurally generated floor of the station while fending off swarms of aliens. If the aliens successfully destroy the bot, you and your squad will meet a grim fate. Thus, you must strategically utilize your characters’ abilities and weapons to protect the bot and cover all flanks. Elemental damage and enemy weaknesses play a crucial role in determining your effectiveness, and constructing turrets can provide additional support and breathing room. As you progress towards success, you’ll come across rooms containing valuable resources to keep your squad in peak condition, upgrade the Crystal Bot to unlock a range of abilities, and build more turrets.
Even in the event of failure, all hope is not lost. If you die during a run, your characters will return to the ship’s hub, a Saloon, where you can utilize certain resources to upgrade weapons, character abilities, and the composition of your squad before embarking on another attempt. This mechanic ensures that players have opportunities to learn from their mistakes and strategize for future runs. Whether playing in single-player mode, where you can command your squadmates and approach the game as a team-based tactics game, or participating in the thrilling three-player cooperative play, Endless Dungeon offers a range of options to suit various playstyles and preferences. Playing cooperatively brings to mind thrilling scenes from films like Aliens or Starship Troopers, as you and your squad battle relentless waves of aliens, feeling the pressure mounting as you communicate and coordinate through platforms like Discord.
An Iterative Development Process
Amplitude, true to their commitment to excellence, has actively engaged with the community throughout the development of Endless Dungeon. Rather than relying on Steam Early Access, Amplitude chose to take a different approach by utilizing Sega’s OpenDev program. This program involved bringing in groups of players to test different portions of the game and provide valuable feedback. Alongside a broader Closed Beta and an insiders program, Amplitude embraced community collaboration to refine the game and ensure it delivers the best possible experience. This dedication to continuous improvement showcases Amplitude’s willingness to push boundaries and explore new avenues. With two successful and distinct strategy games already in their portfolio, Endless Dungeon represents an exciting opportunity for Amplitude to showcase their creativity. So far, the game’s enticing vibe and addictive loop have captivated players, and we eagerly await its full release and subsequent evolution.
Endless Dungeon is set to be available on October 19, 2023, for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, with a Nintendo Switch release planned for the future. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the depths of this unique and thrilling world, where every decision may determine your squad’s fate.
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