In keeping with itspromise of rebootingthe 1997 cult classicDungeon Keeperon iOS, super-publisher Electronic Arts on Thursday brought the game out of soft-launch. Created in partnership with Mythic Entertainment,Dungeon Keeperfor the iPhone and iPad is now available worldwide as afree-to-play download from the App Store. The original game was the final project of the famous game designer, Peter Molyneux, before he left Bullfrog to form Lionhead Studios in 1997.
Dungeon Keeperchallenges you to build up the baddest dungeon on the block and protect it from a bunch of invading heroes who are after your treasure. On top of that, Horned Reaper – the game’s protagonist and star of theDungeon Keepergames (created by Mark Healey) – is an uncontrollable, powerful demon who must be kept busy at all times. Otherwise, he’ll become angry and start attacking your creatures…
Rather than mess with the original concept, EA and Mythic have recreated the original 1997 experience on the iPhone and iPad. Those who’ve played the 1997 release will feel right at home in the iOS port.
As the game basically comes down to protecting your dungeon from hero characters, you’re going to need to breed various creatures, lay a bunch of traps and build out some rock-solid defenses.
The visuals, however, have been refreshed with 3D shading and updated artwork.
Dungeon Keeperis free in the App Store.
A few highlights from iTunes release notes:
And now for the bad news.
Being a fremium release,Dungeon Keeperconstantly nudges you to buy virtual gold via in-app purchases. Although you can, for the most part, play the game without spending a dime on these purchasable gems, there’s no escaping in-game timers and delayed upgrades which slow down the gameplay considerably, unless you pony up.
Bearable initially, it soon gets pretty bad: the game goes from a few seconds or minutes to break a stone block to a couple hours, which is just unacceptable.
It feels like EA is really pushing in-app purchases to the point of being downright annoying and – I’m sure some would say – unplayable. EA’s done nothing but disservice to the otherwise excellent franchise by shamelessly shoving in-app purchases down people’s throat.
Having spent countless hours playing this game on my Amiga 500 all I can say is: thanks, EA, for ruining my childhood!
Have you played the originalDungeon Keepergame?
Will you be giving the iOS port a try?
