Dungeons of Hinterberg is an action role-playing video game developed by Microbird Games and published by Curve Games. Taking place in the fictional town of Hinterberg in the Austrian Alps, the game also features elements commonly found in dungeon crawling games and social simulation games. The game was released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S in July 2024.
| Dungeons of Hinterberg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Microbird Games |
| Publisher(s) | Curve Games |
| Engine | Unity[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | July 18, 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editDungeons of Hinterberg is an action role-playing video game played from a third-person view. In the game, the player character, Luisa, has the ability to use both weapons and magic against her enemies. The player character crawls through dungeons and fights monsters. Every one of the 25 dungeons in the games has unique mechanics.[2] Along with the combat sections, there also social simulation segments too, where Luisa can befriend the villagers of Hinterberg, which can lead to perks that give her advantages in battle.[3]
Plot
editThe plot revolves around Luisa, a law student who came to the town of Hinterberg in the Austrian Alps as a vacation. Hinterberg has attracted tourists and thrillseekers after magical creatures and dungeons appear in the outskirts of the town mysteriously.[4]
Development and release
editDungeons of Hinterberg was developed by Austrian studio Microbird Games and published by Curve Games.[5][6] Development of the game began in 2020, and it was Microbird's debut title. The social simulation gameplay was inspired by Persona,[5] while the town of Hinterberg itself was inspired by Hallstatt.[7]
The game was officially announced in June 2023. A limited playtest went between May 9 to 23, 2024, originally meant to last only a week but increased to two thanks to positive reception.[8] The game was released on July 18, 2024, for Windows and the Xbox Series X and Series S. It was available on Xbox Game Pass from its first day of release.[9]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 82/100[10] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Digital Trends | 4.5/5[11] |
| Eurogamer | 4/5[12] |
| GamesRadar+ | 4.5/5[13] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 84/100[14] |
| PCGamesN | 9/10[15] |
| Shacknews | 8/10[16] |
Dungeons of Hinterberg received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[10] PC Gamer gave it a score of 84/100, calling it "satisfyingly complex".[14] Eurogamer gave it a score of 4 out of 5 stars.[12] PCGamesN gave it a score of 9/10, praising its plot, graphics, and dungeon design.[15]
References
edit- ^ Saver, Michael (August 1, 2024). "Games Made with Unity: July 2024 in review". Unity Technologies. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ Fenlon, Wes (June 17, 2023). "The magical realism of Dungeons of Hinterberg unexpectedly stole my heart at not-E3". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Fillari, Alessandro (May 30, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg: The Final Preview". IGN. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Romaon, Sal (April 29, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg launches July 18". Gematsu. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Francis, Bryant (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg shows how all games can feel like 'vacations'". Game Developer. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Allsop, Ken (March 20, 2024). "This gorgeous new indie RPG is the Zelda game PC needs, with a little Persona on top". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Chilton, Maddi (July 22, 2024). "Despite its magic and monsters, Dungeons of Hinterberg's developers 'wanted to show a real place' that could explore 'all the layers' of overtourism". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Nat (June 26, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg release date, demo, trailers, and latest news". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Nightingale, Ed (April 29, 2024). "Austrian Zelda-like Dungeons of Hinterberg gets release date". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "Dungeons of Hinterberg". Metacritic. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg review: Xbox Game Pass gets an unforgettable spin on Zelda". Digital Trends. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Donlan, Christian (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg review - adventure with a generous spirit and a thoughtful soul". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Wickens, Katie (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg review: "A charming adventure that pairs radical fights with moments of peaceful reflection"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Chilton, Maddi (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg review". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ a b Allsop, Ken (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg review - a stunning, memorable adventure with a seedy side". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ White, Lucas (July 18, 2024). "Dungeons of Hinterberg review: An itinerary for adventure". Shacknews. Retrieved September 20, 2024.