『Become a dungeon adventurer!』

💎 First Impressions 

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of RPGs?

If you started playing in the 1990s, you might recall titles like Ultima Online, EverQuest, or Meridian 59—early MMORPGs that helped shape the genre.

If you got into RPGs in the 2000s, you might recall World of Warcraft, Runescape, or Guild Wars, which set new standards for online role-playing games. 

By the 2010s, MMORPGs had evolved into more polished and complex systems, with games like Final Fantasy XIV, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Guild Wars 2 leading the way.

But if you're a fan of classic RPGs or traditional fantasy novels, you might prefer games with well-defined roles—like the Rogue, Warrior, Mage, or Cleric.

If you enjoy structured, role-based RPGs, 『The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos』 is definitely worth your attention.

⌚Gameplay 

『A true classic turn-based RPG featuring a narrator』

<Few story-driven RPGs incorporate a narrator>

As some of you might have already noticed from the introduction, this game is a turn-based RPG played from a quarter-view perspective.

A Role-Playing Game, meaning you are given a role and are expected to immerse yourself in the story accordingly.

To put it more simply, an incident occurs in a specific dungeon, and the story unfolds as you work to resolve it.

The name "Naheulbeuk," which appears in the title, refers to the world created by the French writer John Lang, as well as a region within that world.

Knowing this background gives you a better sense of what kind of story to expect.

The reason I brought up the definition of RPG is that this game follows a structure like a TRPG.

In a traditional TRPG, there is usually one Dungeon Master (DM) and multiple players.

The DM typically handles ambiguous situations and takes on the role of the narrator.

Unlike most PC or console RPGs, this game deliberately includes a narrator, adding a unique touch.

I'll explain this aspect in more detail later.

<It gives the feeling of managing a party with diverse classes>

When you first start the game, you’ll be introduced to characters with a variety of classes, such as rogue, archer, ranger, barbarian, and mage. 

The goal of the game is to lead this assembled party and clear dungeons.

As you progress, you’ll also encounter additional classes beyond the initial lineup, such as the paladin.

Each class has its own unique characteristics.

The rogue can disable traps and boost the critical hit rate of nearby allies, while the barbarian excels as a melee damage dealer with powerful area-of-effect attacks. 

Since each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, quickly learning how to utilize them effectively is key to success in the game.

<Each character takes turns based on turn speed and acts accordingly>

As you progress through dungeons with your diverse and unique party, battles will inevitably occur.

At its core, the game features turn-based combat, where characters act in order based on their Charisma stat. On their turn, they can move and take actions.

The tile a character is positioned on can provide accuracy bonuses, making good use of cover essential.

Without proper cover, enemies can strike from the side or rear, potentially rendering a character incapacitated in an instant.

If you’ve played XCOM 2 or have seen its gameplay, you'll quickly recognize the familiar mechanics.

<Neither the narrator nor the characters take themselves too seriously>

As mentioned earlier, the game maintains a humorous tone through both the narrator’s commentary and the characters’ dialogue. 

Rather than relying on forced humor, the game embraces absurdity and dark comedy.

Because of this, playing through the story feels less like a serious, immersive experience and more like watching a lighthearted snack movie. 

This tone makes the game more approachable, lowering the psychological barrier for those who just want to have fun.

Some players might find the game too lighthearted to fully immerse themselves in, but in the end, that comes down to personal preference.

<Despite various visual effects, the overall tone remains dark>

Despite the lighthearted and humorous story, the overall visual tone of the game is quite dark.

While there are occasional bursts of brightness from magic spells and character skills, the general atmosphere remains dark.

As a result, even with the highlight feature available, navigating the environment or spotting hidden objects isn’t always easy.

"

True to Its Name,

the Game Captures the Essence of Dungeon Exploration

"

Rather than viewing the darkness as a flaw that hinders visibility, it's better to consider it in the context of the game's title, The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk..

If we assume that dungeons are inherently deep and dark places, then the game’s color palette aligns with that imagery.

It follows that the developers likely intended to create a distinctly 'dungeon-like' atmosphere.

<Stat-related effects are clearly displayed, allowing you to see changes in real time>

<Despite its humorous tone, the game features surprisingly hardcore mechanics
like debuffs, cover, and hit/evasion rates.>

The game’s difficulty is quite high, fitting well with its dark atmosphere.

The tutorial covers hit rates and debuffs in detail—but that's just the beginning.

It also explains turn order based on Charisma, accuracy penalties from cover, and various stat-related effects, sometimes overwhelming players with information.

The battles themselves aren’t particularly easy, either.

I played on the second easiest of the four difficulty levels, but as a newcomer unfamiliar with the mechanics, I still found many fights quite challenging.

📌 Final Thoughts 

『Recommended for those who enjoy

challenging turn-based combat and adventure.』

This game has been well-known as a well-crafted game in Western markets.

Despite its high difficulty and humor that may not suit everyone’s taste, I found myself enjoying it—likely because of its well-designed combat system that perfectly fits the ‘dungeon’ concept.

Here are a few tips for new players:

If you’re unfamiliar with this genre, be mindful when selecting your difficulty level.

Since hit chance plays a crucial role in this turn-based system, keeping that in mind will make your experience much more enjoyable.

The game has been on STOVE for a while now, so it frequently goes on sale. If you keep an eye out, you might be able to grab it at a discount.

A chaotic adventure through dungeons with a party of misfits, The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos!

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