DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS

I totally get that initial "empty" feeling on day one, but once you get past the surface, you realize there’s actually a deep tactical layer hiding under the hood. It turns into a high-stakes game of risk management where you’re constantly weighing how much further you can push into the depths before a wipeout forces a long rescue mission. You really have to learn which enemies to avoid (like those early-game Gargoyles or statues that turn your characters into rock) and how to perfectly split your weapons between physical and magical damage to crack different enemy "bars" efficiently. It has honestly become the perfect study companion for me. Because the game doesn't "hijack" your brain with loud cutscenes or constant movement, it stays in the background as a low-distraction tactical puzzle. It’s one of the few games where you can take a few turns, make a meaningful strategic choice, and then immediately jump back into your work without losing your flow. The theme is definitely minimalist, but the character and enemy illustrations are actually quite sharp and have a nice "soul" to them. Ultimately, I’d call this a "hidden gem for boring adults" who need a game that respects their time and brain space. It might not have the flashy environments of a modern blockbuster, but it replaces that fluff with pure, satisfying math and atmospheric tension. If you want something that offers a "sweaty" tactical challenge without the sensory overload of a typical RPG, this is exactly the kind of slow-burn experience that grows on you the deeper you go.

As someone who loves Wizardry type games, this game is great! The gameplay is smooth and lots of options. The best thing about his game is that it's 100% Steam Deck Verified. I really can't find anything I don't like about this game.

Basically what you get if you simplify an RPG down to its most addicting components and leave out all the bloat.

This is my jam. I love mapping the dungeon and simple presentation. Not for everyone, though.

DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS, developed and published by Square Enix, is a strikingly unconventional role-playing game that deliberately strips the genre down to its bare essentials, presenting an experience that is almost entirely driven by mechanics rather than presentation or narrative. Under the direction of Hiroyuki Ito, the game feels like a deliberate experiment—one that asks what remains of an RPG when you remove its visual spectacle, story-heavy structure, and traditional world design. What’s left is something stark, methodical, and deeply system-focused, offering a kind of purity that is both refreshing and, at times, alienating. From the moment the game begins, its minimalist approach is immediately apparent. Exploration unfolds across a grid of numbered tiles, with little more than abstract backgrounds and simple icons marking points of interest. There are no detailed environments, no towns bustling with NPCs, and no cinematic sequences to guide the player forward. Instead, the game invites players to engage directly with its systems, turning movement itself into a meaningful act. Each tile represents potential discovery—treasure, combat encounters, hidden mechanics—and the act of mapping out the labyrinth becomes a central part of the experience. It’s a design choice that shifts the player’s attention away from visual immersion and toward careful observation and strategic thinking. Combat operates within a familiar framework but is presented with the same stripped-down philosophy. Battles are governed by an Active Time Battle system, where timing and order of actions play a critical role. Before dealing direct damage, players must break through layers of physical and magical defenses, adding a layer of planning that requires attention to both party composition and enemy characteristics. While the interface is simple, the underlying systems are anything but. Success depends on understanding how to balance offense, defense, and resource management, and even seemingly minor encounters can become dangerous if approached carelessly. Character progression is similarly understated but flexible. Rather than rigid class systems, the game emphasizes equipment and party configuration as the primary means of shaping effectiveness. This allows players to experiment freely, adjusting their approach as new gear and abilities become available. The game also introduces various exploration-based mechanics, such as abilities that reveal hidden tiles or allow access to previously unreachable areas. These systems reward players who pay attention to patterns, coordinates, and subtle clues, creating a sense of discovery that feels earned rather than handed to the player. What sets DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS apart most clearly is its near-total absence of traditional storytelling. There is only the faintest outline of a narrative—a mysterious labyrinth, a group of adventurers, and little else to contextualize the journey. Characters exist more as functional units than as personalities, and the game rarely attempts to create emotional stakes. For some players, this lack of narrative will feel like a missing piece, making the experience seem empty or detached. For others, it allows the mechanics to take full focus, turning the game into a kind of interactive puzzle where the player’s own curiosity becomes the driving force. The difficulty and pacing further reinforce its old-school sensibilities. The game does not go out of its way to guide or protect the player, and mistakes can carry significant consequences. Losing party members, mismanaging resources, or venturing too far without preparation can set progress back in meaningful ways. This creates a constant sense of tension, where every decision matters and every step forward feels earned. However, as the game progresses, the introduction of new ideas slows, and the experience can begin to feel more like an endurance test than a steadily evolving journey. Ultimately, DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS is defined by its commitment to a singular vision. It is not interested in appealing to a broad audience or conforming to modern expectations of the genre. Instead, it offers a focused, almost abstract interpretation of what an RPG can be, emphasizing systems, strategy, and player-driven exploration above all else. This makes it a deeply rewarding experience for those who appreciate mechanical depth and are willing to engage with its unconventional design, but it also limits its accessibility for players who prefer narrative-driven or visually rich games. In the end, DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS stands as a bold and distinctive entry in Square Enix’s catalog—a game that challenges assumptions about what an RPG needs to be. It is not always comfortable, and it does not always maintain its momentum, but it succeeds in offering something genuinely different. For players who value thoughtful design and are willing to meet the game on its own terms, it can be an absorbing and memorable experience. Rating: 7/10

When you strip a game down to a Minimal Viable Dungeon, the end result is mostly tedium. At its best, it rises to the point of "you can zone out and do it on autopilot", but inevitably you will be hit with something that just makes you sigh and wonder why you're still going.

If this were a food it would be a perfect hard boiled egg. Completely flawless and amazingly executed, but unfortunately I do not like eggs.

Très bon jeu, mais attention, il est vraiment difficile à cause de la mécanique de "semi-perma-death" qui est punitive et oblige à utiliser un seul personnage pour ramener les autres à la maison afin de les soigner. Si vous faites toute l'exploration puis tous les combats, le jeu est bien plus agréable (et plus facile). Si vous faites les combats en explorant, le challenge est extrêmement élevé et cela pourrait vous décourager. Dans ce cas, concentrez-vous sur l'exploration pendant un moment. Conseil : Le coup de point enlève 1 PV, il est inévitables et peut même toucher les ennemis volants. Utilisez le contre contre les monstres ayant 1 PV pour les tuer instantanément. Update : 100% le jeu (toutes les cases, tout les item et tout les combats effectué dont les 3 fins) m'as pris 30H de jeu en explorent en premier avant de me battre, l'inverse prendrais plus dans les 80 a 100 heures de jeu.

This game scratches a very specific itch in my brain, from back when games basically suggested you make your own map. But the way the compendium works, if you forget anything you've learned its all there. Gameplay-wise its very simple but that's not inherently bad. Game isn't for everyone, but its def for me.

Painfully simple, yet needlessly annoying. There isn't really exploration, just revealing squares (the entire map layout is always exposed). There isn't any party customization, because despite many choices of "people" everyone is basically the same. If someone gets petrified, you have to just drop that person on the ground and move on without them, probably manually climbing multiple floors to pick up a new replacement from floor zero. Combat is largely an auto attack simulator.