DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS

SquareSoft decided to make an art game based on stripped down a classic dungeon crawler to as nearly an abstract experience as possible... and it's good! If you like dungeon crawlers. If you don't, you won't like it. And it doesn't care. If you like crawling dungeons, this is the neat-no-ice-no-chaser version.

DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS, developed and published by Square Enix, is a strikingly unconventional role-playing game that deliberately strips the genre down to its bare essentials, presenting an experience that is almost entirely driven by mechanics rather than presentation or narrative. Under the direction of Hiroyuki Ito, the game feels like a deliberate experiment—one that asks what remains of an RPG when you remove its visual spectacle, story-heavy structure, and traditional world design. What’s left is something stark, methodical, and deeply system-focused, offering a kind of purity that is both refreshing and, at times, alienating. From the moment the game begins, its minimalist approach is immediately apparent. Exploration unfolds across a grid of numbered tiles, with little more than abstract backgrounds and simple icons marking points of interest. There are no detailed environments, no towns bustling with NPCs, and no cinematic sequences to guide the player forward. Instead, the game invites players to engage directly with its systems, turning movement itself into a meaningful act. Each tile represents potential discovery—treasure, combat encounters, hidden mechanics—and the act of mapping out the labyrinth becomes a central part of the experience. It’s a design choice that shifts the player’s attention away from visual immersion and toward careful observation and strategic thinking. Combat operates within a familiar framework but is presented with the same stripped-down philosophy. Battles are governed by an Active Time Battle system, where timing and order of actions play a critical role. Before dealing direct damage, players must break through layers of physical and magical defenses, adding a layer of planning that requires attention to both party composition and enemy characteristics. While the interface is simple, the underlying systems are anything but. Success depends on understanding how to balance offense, defense, and resource management, and even seemingly minor encounters can become dangerous if approached carelessly. Character progression is similarly understated but flexible. Rather than rigid class systems, the game emphasizes equipment and party configuration as the primary means of shaping effectiveness. This allows players to experiment freely, adjusting their approach as new gear and abilities become available. The game also introduces various exploration-based mechanics, such as abilities that reveal hidden tiles or allow access to previously unreachable areas. These systems reward players who pay attention to patterns, coordinates, and subtle clues, creating a sense of discovery that feels earned rather than handed to the player. What sets DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS apart most clearly is its near-total absence of traditional storytelling. There is only the faintest outline of a narrative—a mysterious labyrinth, a group of adventurers, and little else to contextualize the journey. Characters exist more as functional units than as personalities, and the game rarely attempts to create emotional stakes. For some players, this lack of narrative will feel like a missing piece, making the experience seem empty or detached. For others, it allows the mechanics to take full focus, turning the game into a kind of interactive puzzle where the player’s own curiosity becomes the driving force. The difficulty and pacing further reinforce its old-school sensibilities. The game does not go out of its way to guide or protect the player, and mistakes can carry significant consequences. Losing party members, mismanaging resources, or venturing too far without preparation can set progress back in meaningful ways. This creates a constant sense of tension, where every decision matters and every step forward feels earned. However, as the game progresses, the introduction of new ideas slows, and the experience can begin to feel more like an endurance test than a steadily evolving journey. Ultimately, DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS is defined by its commitment to a singular vision. It is not interested in appealing to a broad audience or conforming to modern expectations of the genre. Instead, it offers a focused, almost abstract interpretation of what an RPG can be, emphasizing systems, strategy, and player-driven exploration above all else. This makes it a deeply rewarding experience for those who appreciate mechanical depth and are willing to engage with its unconventional design, but it also limits its accessibility for players who prefer narrative-driven or visually rich games. In the end, DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS stands as a bold and distinctive entry in Square Enix’s catalog—a game that challenges assumptions about what an RPG needs to be. It is not always comfortable, and it does not always maintain its momentum, but it succeeds in offering something genuinely different. For players who value thoughtful design and are willing to meet the game on its own terms, it can be an absorbing and memorable experience. Rating: 7/10