Dungeons of Hinterberg is one of those games that sucks you in from the moment you begin. Its setting is steeped in beauty and calm, but at the same time filled with mystery. While I met locals and enjoyed the calming atmosphere at night, I hunted monsters in the day. If The Sound of Music featured swords and monsters, this is it. It’s a novel concept that compels you to keep on playing, and I adore it. Never was I bored, and seldom moments left me frustrated. This is a satisfying timesink that gives you plenty if you’re willing to invest your time in it.
Taking place in an idyllic town in the Austrian alps, Luisa takes a break from the humdrum and monotony of city life. We’ve all been there. Fed up of our busy lives that rarely offer satisfaction. Taking a break is such an important facet of good wellbeing and mental health, yet we don’t tend to give ourselves this luxury. Not Luisa. She knows the score, but in doing so she is also choosing to risk her life in order to fight a range of monsters via a range of different dungeons spread across the different areas of Hinterberg.
The various locations in Hinterberg are gorgeous. From the snow-drenched Kolmstein to the mines of Doberkogel, they all serve their purpose. Each area allows Luisa to use certain skills that can’t be used anywhere else, and working out how to factor them into your playstyle offers plenty of fun. Combat is satisfying, managing stamina while using your sword blends well with the magic she can use. You’re never bored, and nothing ever outstays it’s welcome. There are a handful of puzzles that never feel taxing, but give just enough of a challenge too.
The routine of Luisa’s day in Dungeons of Hinterberg are formulaic. Wake up in the morning, go take on a dungeon in the afternoon, then socialise in the evening before heading to bed. Choosing which dungeon to take part in is only half of the battle. At night, you’ll chat with various NPCs that offer new skills as long as you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone. These encounters don’t feel like some tagged on feature. They are vitally important to your growth because they all help to not only build the experience for Luisa, but help her to fit in as an outsider.
There are a range of NPCs that are all trying to find their place in Hinterberg. In doing so, you don’t feel like that much of an outsider. The more you interact and hang out with other residents and tourists, the more enriched you feel. It resembles Persona in a way. Time management is important, but also how you choose to spend that time. As days roll on, the story progresses and so do your relationships, helping to build a personal story that feels unique to you and your playthrough.
There are plenty of upgrades for you to unlock and items to purchase. This bleeds into the customisation of your own experience, and it’s done so through some great storytelling. Dungeons are obviously a key part of the game, but some days if you want to relax and soak in the sites, you’re free to do so. Visiting the gorgeous environments and doing absolutely nothing is just as valid as facing some big boss while bashing them to hell with your sword. You choose to play how you want to, and I love that about it.
Dungeons of Hinterberg is visually stunning. The cel-shading and vibrancy in the environments are great, but so too are the details in the local hustle and bustle. While you do spend time fighting in the afternoon, it’s still beautiful to look at. There’s a nice variety in monsters, and depending on where you are, the various biomes all offer some wonderful scenery to look at. Luisa’s wellbeing is paramount, and Dungeons of Hinterberg makes it easy thanks to just how pretty her surroundings are.
Dungeons of Hinterberg is about escapism and finding your way. We all feel lost at times, and knowing how to know what we want in life, or how to achieve it, is hard. Thanks to a structured yet exciting routine, there’s a great feeling in finding out who Luisa is. The locals and the tourists are a pleasure to hang out with, even if some of them are a touch annoying. Combat is satisfying and never outstays its welcome, the puzzles are simple yet satisfying, and the beauty everywhere you look makes it easy to get on board with.
