Rob reviews Boyfriend Dungeon on Xbox Series X...
Now and again, a game will come along that's just so random that it screams out to be played. Boyfriend Dungeon by Kitfox Games is exactly that!
Boyfriend Dungeon is a curious mix of a Hades-Esq dungeon crawler that's been mixed with Dream Daddy. The twist here is that you'll be dating the weapon that you'll be using to plough through the games various Dunj - that's fancy talk for the dungeon.
The story behind Boyfriend Dungeon - yes there is one - sees you play as a user-created character who's never had any experience with romance. Seeking a fresh start your character moves to the dating playground of Verona Beach. It's here that your cousin decides to hook you up with one of the towns various "unique" characters. As Jesse - your cousin - explains, many of the town's youth can transform into sharp, pointy objects which makes the perfect excuse to date whilst slaying monsters.
Throughout the game we're given seven characters to romance - one is also a cat! Each interest has its flaws such as sociopathic tendencies, parental issues, or just being a lovable cat. Each characters arc can be optionally explored by texting them, going on dates, and exploring one of the two offered dungeons. There's also great diversity within the supporting cast, which certainly helps make each character unique. It's great to get to know the characters as often their personality traits reflect their chosen weapon form. Unlike other visual novel-style games, Boyfriend Dungeon's narrative depends on each supporting character's growth rather than your own. It certainly makes for an interesting story - albeit with some repetitiveness within the flow.
All of the encountered characters are well-written and extremely complex. It can feel a little too overwhelming at times as each love interest vies for your attention all at once. On occasion, your phone will constantly alert you to unread text messages as everyone sees you as the most desirable person in Verona Beach. Considering the game centres on building relationships, you can jump into one pretty quickly. There's also no penalty for playing two characters against each other, as neither will recognise the other interactions. It's certainly a missed opportunity that could have affected both the story and gameplay. Imagine - your knee deep in monsters when your sword decides it no longer wants to fight with you due to seeing you out on the town with the local Rapier - catch my drift?
While on the surface the game feels quite lighthearted, there are some darker tones underneath, which could trigger some players. The often flirtatious text messages can feel unwanted - especially if it's your first interaction with that person. Later in the game, one other character resorts to sending abusive text messages, to then stalk his character. From a narrative point of view, it's great to see a game tackle these often too familiar subjects, but the downside is that you are forced to endure the process rather than cut ties with the person in question.
Away from dating, you're able to venture into one of two dungeons - or Dunj. These areas play out similarly to both Hades and Diablo, in that you'll attempt to go as far as you can before getting knocked out. You won't be alone either as your chosen romance partner will be along for the ride. There's plenty to do in these Dunj as you'll be clearing floor-after-floor of monsters whilst finding secret areas, item vaults, and even optional "hang out" spots. The combat here is pretty fluid and quite simple. You'll have all the typical attacks of a dungeon crawler, with plenty of customisable powers in the form of magazines.
The only real downside to these dungeons is the lack of variety. After a few runs, each location feels the same and you'll soon get a feel for where each hidden location is. There isn't much variety within the enemies either and you'll be fighting the mobs over and over again. There is the odd "boss battle" and challenge rooms, but these aren't too taxing and don't offer any reward.
Progress here is measured by how many floors you clear, and how many enemies have been defeated. At the end of each run, the game tallies these up which then adds to your overall experience pool. Each level you gain adds more health and attacking power to your character. You'll also raise your affinity with your current weapon, which also raises that romantic side too. Much like Hades, Boyfriend Dungeon does well in making you go "just one more". The loot pool is rewarding enough to make you want to play through again, and the thrill of a level-up means you'll potentially progress further in both the dungeon and potential romance.
As you level up each weapon you'll also unlock traits for them too. I spent a lot of time with Valeria who transforms into a dagger. This meant that her playstyle relied on quick attacks and confusing the enemies, to then follow up with plenty of critical hits. Much like their attached characters, each weapon is varied and offers something for everyone. The only downside is that both the weapon and character come as one. You can't choose one without the other, which can be a pain, especially if you like the weapon - but not the character.
When it comes to visuals, Boyfriend Dungeon is pretty well presented. Each character is designed well, with some pretty unique animations that play when you first meet them. Each weapon that they transform into is vastly different from each other and much like their human/feline counterparts offer a great variety in both gameplay and story. The soundtrack is full of catchy music that's a great mix of both catchy pop and low-key beats. It certainly works well to differentiate between the dating/social sim and combat sides of the game.
While Boyfriend Dungeon lacks in substance it certainly makes up for it with its charm. It's certainly unique with both its premise and gameplay, yet there's a distinct lack of excitement within its somewhat shallow combat. Each character has been designed well and there's plenty to like - and dislike - about them. Boyfriend Dungeon certainly isn't going to be a game for everyone, but it's one you'll be glad you've experienced - even if it ends up not being very memorable.
Rating 7/10
Boyfriend Dungeon is out now and can be purchased from the Microsoft Store by clicking here (or playable as part of Gamepass)
Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev
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