Every so often, I get the urge to play puzzle games just to see if I am as smart as I (sometimes) think I am. I don’t usually pour too many hours into them since my brain can only handle so much. Yet, my experience with Dungeons of Dreadrock 2: The Dead King’s Secret was the complete opposite, as I constantly lost track of time with its many puzzles. I even had to force myself to put it down, with the thought of “just one more puzzle” lingering in my mind.
DoD2 continues off from the original narrative, featuring the same retro-inspired art style. I’m new to the series, but understanding its storyline wasn’t too much of a stretch. It’s your classic adventure where the hero, aka the sorceress, ventures into a treacherous place to find the Crown of Wisdom.
Dungeons of Dreadrock 2 – The Dead King’s Secret (Switch[reviewed], PC)
Developer: Christoph Minnameier
Publisher: Christoph Minnameier
Released: November 28, 2024 (Switch)/December 5, 2024 (Steam)
MSRP: $14.99
While playing the game without the original is possible, I recommend putting in the time for the first one. The two stories are heavily connected, with key characters from Dungeons of Dreadrock frequently appearing. In fact, there are several split-screen moments when the characters clash together in an effort to thwart the Dead King’s evil plans. It’s a cool concept to see, and it’s made for some pretty unique gameplay. But, of course, the true highlight of The Dead King’s Secret is the puzzles. There are about 100 levels to clear, each containing a complex challenge to decipher and a few enemies to keep you on your toes.
What I greatly admire about this game is how different each puzzle is from the last. It’s not a typical rinse-and-repeat process in which puzzles start to blend together. Every challenge feels carefully crafted, making them stand out individually. On one level, you’ll have to memorize specific movements of enemies, while another can revolve around reconstructing a skeleton.
The puzzles are also unlike anything I’ve experienced before. They all have a unique charm that goes beyond traditional puzzle games. One prime example of this is how levels can connect. A trapdoor you passed by earlier can be crucial for later, requiring you to drop a weapon to help you out on the following floor. Even enemies must be lured to the next stage to assist you with other foes. I like this concept that makes you rethink what you did previously, and it’s got some brain gears moving that I didn’t know were there.
The farther you go down the levels of DoD2, the more challenging it gets. Fortunately, you can use cheats to skip stages or unlock hints to explain what you need to do in detail. You’ll get one clue to help steer you in the right direction, and if you need some extra guidance, you can continue to unlock the rest to complete the level. I tried my best not to use it just for the sake of pride. However, I admit that I had to rely on it during the later stages.
It almost felt impossible to finish some levels without the hints. Maybe it’s merely a user error on my part, or perhaps you actually do need to use them every once in a while. I’d be curious to see if anyone out there could accomplish it without ’em. I know it’s a tall order, but it would be a nice challenge if you’re looking to shake things up.
Besides the puzzles, there are numerous battles you’ll go through each stage. I will say that it’s not the most intricate system since it’s mainly just the sorceress unleashing a single strike directly ahead. On the other hand, the game does mix things up a bit with the various tools you acquire during your journey. For instance, you’ll gain a flute that can deter enemies, followed by an ability to turn into a bat. It helps make combat feel less tedious, giving you more ways to take down your enemies.
The boss fights also feel like a puzzle in their own right, where you’ll need to strategize your movements and time your attacks. The final stage, in particular, was the ultimate puzzle-solving test, forcing you to remember patterns and not providing many hints to help you out. Like many levels, this one will have you doing things over and over again until you get it right. It can sometimes be frustrating, but once you overcome it, you’ll feel pretty accomplished. The music makes you feel even more victorious with its epic medieval-like soundtrack. I found myself dancing along with it, celebrating the feat of every passing level.
The ending to The Dead King’s Secret is worth the time needed to clear 100 levels, which is 10 hours or so. It would’ve sucked to go through all that just to have a subpar conclusion, but luckily that wasn’t the case with DoD2. One of the main reasons why it was so remarkable is the fact that there are two endings. I never expected to see this feature in a puzzle game. By its conclusion, I already had to jump back in to see what other choice I could have made.
Dungeons of Dreadrock 2: The Dead King’s Secret is a must-play for puzzle gamers. Challenges never feel the same, and they’ll have you thinking outside the box to try to solve them. The victorious feeling after completing puzzles can get addicting, and you may have a hard time putting it down, just as I did.
Plus, if you enjoyed this game, you can look forward to another entry, as it’s already been confirmed to be a trilogy. I’ll undoubtedly be there for the next one and have plans to tackle the original to play catch-up.
Published: Dec 5, 2024 11:18 am