Dungeon Party

Dungeon Party
Developer(s)	Cyanide Studio
Publisher(s)	Focus Home Interactive
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Genre(s)	MMOG, Free to play
Mode(s)	Multiplayer Internet

Dungeon Party is a 3D MMOG developed by Cyanide Studio. The game was officially released May 15, 2009 globally.

Dungeon party is a team-based online game which has been described as a combination of DotA and Fate (Fate itself is inspired from Diablo). Players can create characters of a different number of classes and take part in dungeon raids. The objective of these raids is to obtain the treasure and get to the exit of the dungeon. Two teams compete against each other for this objective. Each Dungeon contains numerous traps and dungeon guardians which either aid or hamper a team's efforts.

This game is Windows 7 compatible. The game also seems to be more forgiving to players who have lower end internet connections as many players have reported a smooth gaming experience with less than desirable connections.

Features

Class System

Dungeon Party features 3 free classes and 4 extra classes which can be unlocked via the game shop. Unlike traditional MMORPG's any experience points or skills learned in each game are reset after all rounds have been played.

Wizard - This is the predominant support class in the game. Wizards have a variety of skills to harass enemies or aid allies from healing to movement speed slowing. Although Wizards also have very high damaging spells. Caught alone a wizard is very vulnerable due to their low health.

Executioner - This class acts as the main warrior class. Their skills enable them to take quite a lot of damage and support buffs that allow them to deal damage also.

Thief - This class is an all rounder. Their skills suit many situations and is one of the best classes to go 'solo' during a match. Although they aren't as durable as other classes and they lack skills to support their team mates.

Amazon - This class can only be unlocked by purchasing it via the game store.

Bard - This class can only be unlocked by purchasing it via the game store.

Horsewoman - This class can only be unlocked by purchasing it via the game store.

The Engineer - The Engineer

Game Modes

There are two basic game modes, with several variants available. In 'One Chest For All' maps are designed around the two teams competing for one treasure. While in the 'One chest per team' maps are designed accordingly.

Variants

These are options players can toggle on or off depending on their preferences. No Love Variant - The treasure chest does not require a team to gain its affection before being allowed to leave the dungeon. Treasure Uncommitted - The treasure requires more effort then usual for a team to gain its affection, if not being carried a team will slowly lose affection gained.

No Experience - Players do not gain experience thus cannot level up, in turn preventing the ability to learn new skills. Although players start with 2 spell points at round 1 and skills are not reset at each round.

Spiteful Love - Carrying the treasure chest will cause that player to slowly lose health.

Hero Customisation

Customisation of a heroes looks does not grant it any game benefits whatsoever, they are purely for aesthetic purposes. The following can be changed on any hero, although some options have less customisation then others. In game players can earn Hero Money to purchase different items for their hero. In addition they are also able to purchase Cyan Dollars from the game store which allows them to unlock and purchase even more content.

Head Gear - Colour and Look

Clothes - Colour and Look

Weapon - Look Only

Face - Look Only

Moustache - Colour and Look

Beard - Colour and Look

Skin - Colour Only

Class

Spells and Spell Schools

Every Class can learn up to a maximum of 5 spells per match. To be able to learn a spell a player must use their available spell points. At the start of each round a player will automatically have an equal amount of spell points based on the number of the round (Round 2 will give a player 2 spell points initially etc...). By also defeating other players and the dungeon guardians a player is able to gain experience towards leveling up.

There are two types of skills in the game, Normal spells and Ultimate Spells. Normal spells cost 1 spell point to learn while ultimate costs 2.

Map Types

Currently, Maps are created base on two defining features, The map tile set and the major game mode. The following map tile sets are available:

- Vegas - Dracula's Castle - Egypt - Pirate Bay

The game also features a custom map editor which allows players to create, share and play their own maps.

Guild System

The game features a guild system called the "n00b herd". Up to four players may be a member of any one n00b herd at any one time.

Game Play

Dungeon Guardians

There are several different type of Dungeon Guardians each of varying strength and ability. Each map tile set has its own set of equivalent dungeon guardians.

Minions - These are the most common of dungeon guardians, they usually have low health and low damage output. Some are ranged and some have magical spells such as the ability to slow.

Patrol Guard - Maps may or may not include these dungeon guardians. They commonly are found in groups of two, one guardian is experience in melee combat while the other is more experience in range combat. Unlike other guardians they actively walk around the map. They are moderately strong.

Mini Boss - These guardians have quite high health, moderate damage output and usually have a few special abilities such as stunning. Only one appears per map and most of the time are found in the immediate vicinity of the treasure, sometimes requiring to be defeated before the treasure becomes accessible.

Boss - The most powerful of all dungeon guardians, usually requires a whole team effort to be able to take down as they are highly powered in all areas. Killing Bosses will greatly increase the love factor the treasure has for one team.

Traps

Dungeons are commonly filled with traps. Most involve either walking over certain tiles or activating certain switches.

Walk over - As suggested, walking over these traps will make something occur, varying from dangers being launched (Boulders, etc...) to opening doors.

Levers - Most commonly used to open doors

Danger Pits - These traps are also active, walking over them will cause damage or some other negative buff, depending on what kind it is (Fire, Ice, Poison etc...)

The Treasure

The treasure itself plays a key role in gameplay. In normal modes, a player must earn its love and affection before it is allowed to be carried out of the dungeon by a team. Love and Affection can be gained by either Killing dungeon guardians, enemy players or simply carrying it.

The treasure can also randomly activate mini-games, which a 30-second warning is given should one occur. Mini games can involve speeding up all players, disabling all spells or even quite literally turn the game upside down.

Critical reception

While the game is still in its infancy and lacks a few additional features it also has been praised for its dynamic game play and freshness.

MMOHuts review

"Dungeon Party is just that, a party. This game is loads of fun and nice break from traditional MMO games. The 3D animated graphics, dungeon mazes, challenging combat, and humor embedded into every element makes this game worth playing. Although, it doesn’t have a very large playbase count there is always a group of players ready to party."^[1]

References

External links

• Official web site
• Official NA web site The North American and Australian Version published by PlayEnvy.