14 DAY TRIAL // 
Legend of Dungeon is a roguelike game experience that delivers the traditional elements of the genre: randomized loot, levels that are rebuilt from scratch for every run, interesting enemies and death that sometimes feel entirely unfair.
Such mechanics have become very popular with indie developers lately, but the development team at Robot Loves Kitty (a lovely and video game appropriate name) has created an experience that rests comfortably in the genre, while also delivering some innovative features and a very beautiful presentation.
Legend of Dungeon is a side-scrolling brawl-focused game that challenges the player to direct a 2D character in an environment that has depth.
There are 26 levels to explore, each of them with a maze-like design that sometimes makes it hard to find the stairs to progress, but which often leads gamers to some truly interesting areas.
Along the way, the player character will meet a variety of enemies, all of whom require a specific approach to destroy, along with items that can be equipped to enhance stats and a number of consumables.
Apples can be eaten to regain health and there are also a variety of potions, identified only by color, which can have positive or negative effects when drunk.
I once met my demise as soon as I entered level one of the dungeon, when a giant swatted me like a fly before I could hit him with my sword or try to run away.
I have not progressed beyond level 14 of the dungeon, but I appreciate the variety that Legend of Dungeon can offer, especially when it comes to hats and potions.
A little more handholding at first would have been appreciated as I suspect that there are still some players out there who have failed to hold the attack button down to charge up an attack, a feature that I only discovered after 4 or 5 deaths.
I also understand why the game uses a maze-like structure, but there are times when I got utterly lost and carefully tracing back my steps was certainly not as fun as battling enemies and descending deeper in search for treasure.
Legend of Dungeon is one of the more beautiful roguelikes I have ever played, despite the fact that some details might be hard to distinguish at first.
The game uses pixel art and each animation created by Robot Loves Kitty shows how much love they have for the world they have created and, when mixed with the impressive use of light sources and effects, delivers a truly mesmerizing overall experience.
The downside is that there are moments when, in the heat of battle, players need a couple of seconds to distinguish the exact placement of their character, which can sometimes lead to an early death.
Legend of Dungeon also shines in the sound department, with a number of tracks that manage to enhance the atmosphere of the game and match its overall 8-bit aesthetic.
At times, they threaten to become more interesting than the on-screen action and I have found that my performance in terms of dungeon exploration seems to increase when the music is turned down low and cannot capture my attention.
The game also offers local multiplayer for up to four gamers, which decreases the challenge level a little as long as all those involved cooperate, helped by the fact that there’s no friendly fire.
Legend of Dungeon is a unique video game experience, a roguelike that uses some brawler elements and understands that in this crowded market, style is as important as gameplay for success.
Some hardcore fans of the genre might be disappointed with the limited gameplay on offer, but newcomers should use this as a point of entry while enjoying its unique visuals and music.
