Review: One Deck Dungeon

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#14

Long-time reader, first time poster…

I was excited for the One Deck Dungeon to come out. I thought about getting the cardboard version but thought that it wouldn’t get enough play. I was so excited when the announcement came out, so I gave the Steam early access version a go. And, as I played it, knowing that was rough, I thought “this would be much better on a tablet”.

So I happily installed it on my Android and yes, I was correct – it’s really meant for mobile. Or shines there… whatever. I mean I’ve lost all three games that I’ve played but I had fun doing it. so if you are wavering between the two, get the mobile. I think it’s worth the $9

8 Likes
#15

Welcome aboard, @NerdDad!

So… I’m enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. It has that “one more turn” grab about it. I sank about two hours into it yesterday, yet didn’t win a single. damn. game haha. There’s a little bit of strategy involved in choosing where to put your dice, when to burn time, and what loot to take, but for the most part it’s a filler game. Still pretty enjoyable and worth the price of admission; admittedly, it’d get a lot more play if it lived on my iPhone.

4 Likes
#16

Great first post! Don’t let it be your last.

2 Likes
#17

This game is my new addiction. Definitely glad to get it for $8. So far, I’m enjoying a party of one more than two, but it’s great either way. It’s also difficult to choose between learning a new character or advancing further with a leveled-up character. Note to self: tell my family and friends I still love them, even if I’ve been playing this game almost every waking hour recently.

2 Likes
#18

Just played my first game and dealt 4/6 pips to the boss before I croaked. Not bad. The presentation isn’t super flashy, but I think that’s a pretty good thing here. About the biggest nitpick I think I’d have is that the interface is a bit quirky, wanting tap and hold in some places double tap in others. Very solid implementation at a glance and looking forward to spending more time with it.

#19

Speaking of the interface, thank God for the Undo feature. I don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to see what a skill/potion does and inadvertently chosen it.

Really liking it, though.

#20

Yeah, I actually had that happen with a door. I’d left it open, then got an invisibility potion from another door. I went back to check on the rewards to see if it was worth doing, and entered the room when all I wanted to do was look. I don’t think I had the option to undo there. But that’s the sort of thing I meant with the interface. It is inconsistent.

At any rate, won my second attempt at the boss quite easily in 2 rounds with half my health left (10 health on a paladin is pretty ridiculous) and potions to spare.

#21

I gotta learn how you do that… Beat a boss, I mean. I’ve had better luck with a Mage than anything but maybe I will try the Paladin again.

#22

Beat Hydra on first try, still on novice. I’d definitely give the paladin a try. They can soak a lot of damage. I think they keys for me so far have been 1) to look for items that add a die + health and 2) acquire potions whenever possible

#23

Are all of you having better luck with one hero or two? I would have thought the second hero would be more helpful, but I’ve gotten creamed every time I play with two and done marginally better with one.

#24

Only tried two once so far, but I didn’t fair very well. Paladin feels like easy mode to me, so if anyone is having trouble give the pally a go.

#25

Funny I’ve had an easier time with Mage but I’ll give Pally another shot

#26

Did try the mage last night for the first time and had one few too many health. Would have killed the boss on the turn I died.

My biggest gripe with the game is that you can’t see the loot options on a room you have fled. (But you can, and I’m an idiot)

Consistency + Chaotic Aura is a stupidly good combo…

#27

I think you can actually see the loot options on a room you flee—check out the screenshot below for an example. Item is on the left, skill to learn is on the bottom, and XP are on the top right.

#28

How in the world did I not notice that? I feel like a complete moron now, lol. Thank you for pointing it out. And I have fled a LOT of rooms smacks forehead

#29

Glad to help. The icons are small enough that I’m not sure how I did notice them! And thank you for the paladin advice—helped me finally pull off a win.

#30

I have to say the paladin starting skill seems miles better than some of the others. You can effectively soak 6 damage = 1 potion if you play it right. Compared to that, why is the mage shield so weak for instance? At least let it work in combat. I’m sure it is intended to balance out their feat, which accumulates dice much more readily.

#31

Finally won a game. Used the Paladin and got lucky In few instances and the used the fact she absorbs a large amount of damage. I will give no more spoilers.

Pretty good game. Already got my money’s worth out of it.

#32

Finally won with the rogue; I clicked quick game just to see what would happen, and apparently it throws you a random character in a random dungeon. Still wish this lived on my phone, but otherwise a great game.

#33

Are people playing this with character progression (or whatever it is called)?

I lost my first game against the dragon playing as the archer and easily won the next two against the dragon. Now I’m building up the archer by losing to the hydra. I think a few more improvements will make the hydra a possibility.

If you are playing without character progression and able to beat the hydra, ect. I’m really amazed.