DUNGEON ENCOUNTERS Review - It's A MUST PLAY For JRPG Fans? | Mabimpressions

[@MabiVSGames]

Sorry for the stuttering/rambling for today's review! I was up playing this late and wanted to record my thoughts before I forget anything! Let me know if you have any questions and don't forget to like/subscribe for more! :D 🎙Catch my livestream most days: twitch.tv/mabivsgames 🎮Subscribe to my Let’s Play KZbin MabiVsGamesVOD: bit.ly/2pX2B0X ✂Subscribe to my Shorts/Clips MabiVsGames Clips channel: bit.ly/3dfqYPt 📞Discord: discord.gg/5Pnwcah 📸Instagram: instagram.com/mabivsgames/ 🕺Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@mabivsgames 🐥Twitter: twitter.com/MabiVSGames

[@GDK000]

[@MabiVSGames]

@@GDK000 Too much information about the game in my review. Gotcha.

[@current9300]

As someone who LOVES mechanics over story, this seems potentially very engaging. Probably going to buy just to support modern production of this kind of titles, it's a bit crazy that SE is even involved in stuff like this anymore.

[@MabiVSGames]

It really was a welcome surprise for me. Especially since I LOVE playing retro JRPGs and it definitely has that vibe going on

[@current9300]

@@MabiVSGames Yeah, that exactly is drawing me in as well, it looks like proper retro gameplay with enough modern sensibilities that it doesn't feel too frustrating.

[@MabiVSGames]

:DDD

[@CaribbeanOlympian]

The moment I saw this game in a social media ad, I was immediately intrigued by the graphical style. It reminded me a lot of a table-top RPG alongside dungeon crawler elements and turn-based JRPG elements. What really put the final nail in the coffin was the beautiful art style and Nobuo Uematsu being the composer of the music. It was at that point that Dungeon Encounters became a must-buy for me, and the 20% off launch sale only helped that. Yet another great JRPG for my Switch alongside replaying FF9 again. Would recommend. :)

[@MabiVSGames]

Absolutely. It's definitely a really good pick up with that current discount.

[@teejay818]

As somebody who used to graph paper The Bard’s Tale and Wizardry, then progressed to Etrian Odyssey with its in-game map making, it’s super intriguing to see a game be like “here, the map is already there, and let’s skip the disorienting first person view.” It makes the game purely about party customization, resource management and the risk/reward of diving deeper.

[@r1pfake521]

Im a Indie dev and I wanted to make a combat system with a similar idea, where the armor stat is "consumed" before you take health damage instead of using the armor in a damage calculation, so like it is handled in this game. Why is that everytime I have a "new" idea a game with the same idea shows up on my KZbin front page, it's scary.

[@MabiVSGames]

KZbin is reading your mind

[@AnimatronicBadgerlord]

Divinity Original Sin II has this system as well and that came out many years ago. It works quite well since you need to balance the two properly.

[@mochimitsu7]

With all due respect, you're talking about one of the founding members of JRPG and a genius in game design here (Hiroyuki Ito). Every idea that has changed RPG's in general has come from the mind of this man.

[@ToastBombHalo]

Thanks for the review, this looks to be exactly the game I've been looking for for a while now. Game where I can ignore the story and listen to a podcast.

[@sarethums]

I'm doing that a lot lately! So far mario 3d all stars was pretty good for it. Racing sims on practice mode and a vertical shooter of some kind works well too.

[@MabiVSGames]

Glad I could help!

[@sarethums]

@@MabiVSGames cheers boss. Subbed btw.

[@MabiVSGames]

@@sarethums Thanks, homie. Appreciate it

[@Gabriel.9l]

why dont you buy darkest dungeon then? its better that this stuff at everything honestly this game looks like those minigames that you play in a web and they sell it for 30$ crazy... idk who buys this when you have better stuff and cheaper this looks like there was no effort at all on it

[@mobiuschickenstrips]

Square should kick you a commission. I was looking for a “people like me” review, before buying, so thank you for the taking the time.

[@MabiVSGames]

Glad you enjoyed it. Did you end up buying it? :D

[@backgroundcharacter4099]

This! Subbed he is a man of culture

[@oddsign]

Thanks for the review, it’s a shame every video that simply shows the game is plagued by comments about how minimal graphical design = bad.

[@deusprogrammer_thekingofspace]

Modern gamers are very shallow.

[@MabiVSGames]

As mentioned in the video it's very unfortunate a lot of gamers these days base games solely on grahics. When a minimilistic design like this works for those who just want a stream line dungeon crawling game without too many distractions

[@JMrealgamer]

I’m definitely going to play this soon. Already downloaded. Thanks for going into detail with it! I love the grind when it’s done right.

[@MabiVSGames]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Mbest624]

I’m going to need some more people to give credit to the director behind the game because Hiroyuki Ito has made some of the best FF games in the series and also added the best mechanics to the series.

[@davidnewell6381]

Maxed out on my volume options and can barely hear the presenter. Volume should be 5x-10x what it is.

[@MabiVSGames]

Ah thanks! Appreciate the feedback I'll turn it up in the future.

[@thomaspikul2480]

Honestly just makes me want a new Etrian Odyssey.

[@MabiVSGames]

I gotta try the other ones out

[@luvstagrind]

Good review. I love rpg's but this will likely go on sale around Christmas so I will wait to pick it up then

[@MabiVSGames]

20% off on Steam until the 29th if you're interested!

[@softpiglet]

Thanks for this! It dropped out of nowhere and the trailer didnt really tell me much so I was curious. Doesn't seem to be my kind of game but I appreciate the review.

[@MabiVSGames]

Glad I could help!

[@adams3560]

After getting a game over, does anyone know what the “retry with last expedition” option does? I’m scared to try it. So far I’ve only chosen to retain levels and begin anew.

[@PatrickOchoa8a]

My guess is that it rewinds you to the last time you set out from the academy but I would have to test it to be sure.

[@lorenzomagni732]

I died just few minutes ago on the 20th floor, level of the party 24. This game cannot be compared to any other RPG: it's unique and, above all, fkkn addicting!

[@MabiVSGames]

I definitely agree with the addicting part O_O'

[@Schrient]

Nice to see a review on DE. The graphics were kind of jarring for a SQ game, but it's nice to see how the dungeon crawling is. I wish there was some story involved, but I guess since you can pick your own characters that is a bit hard to do. Good review!

[@MabiVSGames]

Appreciate it, :D

[@kursed_aegis]

I absolutely love the mechanics of this game I love when se makes these type of throwback jrpg games feels like an old school Nintendo ds game

[@MabiVSGames]

That's how I saw it, :0

[@saintsalieri]

I keep wishing the legibility of the map would lend itself to an actual gameplay mechanic. There should be an opportunity cost to backtracking, so you need to plan your route better and make difficult choices. Even a simple advancement tree like in Slay the Spire forces you to do this.

[@MabiVSGames]

Yea..that would be nice

[@chozobillf]

Man, you sold me a copy. The pedigree of the makers is super intriguing.

[@MabiVSGames]

Awesome. Hope you enjoy it!

[@Shenmue79]

Finally a video that is not in Japanese. It was helpful, thank you.

[@MabiVSGames]

Glad it was helpful! Think this game's for you?

[@yasinachekzai2567]

In some way, this reminds me a bit of games like Wizardry or Elminage, at least in terms of game philosophy and I find that very intriguing. I actually even really like the aesthetic. It's good marketing, I suppose, as even just the screenshots show that this is a zero BS number's game and fans of such games recognise it as such. I'll get this on Switch at once as well. I had a feeling I would like it, but wanted to make sure. Thanks for the review. Edit: Also, damn, that fight music is one heck of a bop! 😍

[@MabiVSGames]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy the game, :D

[@yasinachekzai2567]

@@MabiVSGames Loving it so far for sure! 🥰

[@szebike]

With some small visual tweaks they could have increased the appeal without any big ivnestment but this is too barebones for a 30 $ pricetag.

[@MabiVSGames]

Sad but true, D:

[@acatssoftnose3940]

My major grip with this game is that our attacks are just performed and not seen by the player. At least with older SE titles, I could enjoy the animations of my skills.

[@MabiVSGames]

Yea.. Just gotta accept it as an inspired by old school dungeon crawler. Substance over style here

[@greyfuller1025]

How do you heal petrified characters?

[@MabiVSGames]

After a couple of floors you'll reach certain altars (events) that help you deal with it

[@TowerBooks3192]

Are you Yongyea's echo fighter?

[@maroXUprising]

Was looking for an OST playlist for the game, but instead found this review. Great review btw! While I have no personal experiences when it comes to like old school table top games. I am however willing to try something new and out of my comfort zone from traditional or action-based JRPG’s. Unfortunately The only reason I have yet to purchase the game is due to patiently waiting for a physical release if there’s ever going to be one. I live for physical game collecting and such... Hopefully an Asian physical release with English Support is considered over at SE.

[@MabiVSGames]

Good reason to wait. It’s not going anywhere, :D

[@FrostGiant17]

I swear hiroyuki ito made this with $3 and a can of Red Bull and still made it wonderful.

[@yanholliday8876]

*Wizardry* . The game comparison you're looking for is Wizardry. This is a top-down Wizardry game. And it's good, and comes with all the cool and bad stuff that goes with it. Also, I don't think "minimalistic" is the right term for this. It's downright *abstract* ; as in, it's "metagame, the game", y'know. It's *all* mechanics. I mean, seriously, there's not even graphics ! :P

[@jtfike]

Yup nailed it. Wizardry for sure.

[@teejay818]

I mean, I thought of that first too, but I’m pretty sure the KZbinr wasn’t alive when Wizardry game out, so I gave it a pass :)

[@SPECIALKID1337]

definitely needed a review for this. I wasn't sure about dropping even $23 on steam for something that looks like you could play leisurely on mobile (this looks great for porting to mobile tbh) I'm going to empty my brain (or go big brain? seems like there's a shocking amount of depth to the mechanics???) on this game soon side note: can we get my mans some chapstick like bro you need some yesterday not trying to be mean but I just noticed after the review was over

[@MabiVSGames]

LMFAO. Yea I noticed it myself too watching it back. Was 3AM when I recorded that. Should've payed more attention to my presentation, :D

[@Zirythl]

Its Divinity original sin shield mechanic but I think it can only be one or the other in divinity

[@MabiVSGames]

Oh yea.. Damn I gotta play that again

[@Baoudor]

immediate like for using paper mario music in the background >> ok but on a more serious note, well spoken review, it addresses all the points I was thinking about it and wanting an answer to.

[@MabiVSGames]

I quick mentioned Paper Mario badge/point system being like the proficiency point system here for easy comparison so just decided to drop the music too.

[@davidreese5355]

Any idea how long the game will be? How many floors?

[@Grestok74]

100 i believe

[@MabiVSGames]

I've seen 99-100. Not sure if there's more secret ones though

[@Ocean5ix]

What about content? Does it seem to be short?

[@MabiVSGames]

It definitely feels like it could anywhere between 15-25 hours. Don’t quote me though

[@0Cleric]

This makes me want a new Etrian Odyssey even more...

[@MabiVSGames]

Well that's good! Save money and play that instead. I definitely need to try those ones out myself soon, :D

[@SylemGistoe]

Seriously miss EO- that franchise really felt like it had depth straight from the get-go, and actually put some work into presentation. I hope they do *something* with that IP in the future, even though 3ds is dead.

[@sonic-bb]

It's like a classic rpg. I like that

[@MabiVSGames]

You and me both, homie

[@sonic-bb]

@@MabiVSGames yup. Feels like Ultima and might and magic and other classics :)

[@migueldelprado5618]

Kabayan! Awesome review! Downloading it right now.

[@MabiVSGames]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@TheBriomega]

Kind of reminds me of the old Wizardry games.

[@MabiVSGames]

Same, really loved those ones

[@user-e1337]

Gameplay over flash. Good stuff

[@MabiVSGames]

It is pretty awesome

[@mrdude88]

Is there a “die forever” mode? So when your character faints, they are permanently gone from the game.

[@MabiVSGames]

They can always be resurrected or unpetrified. I'm not sure if there's a perma death built in somewhere yet

[@mrdude88]

@@MabiVSGames I love perma-death in games. It forces you to play more carefully.

[@MabiVSGames]

100% Agree.

[@thelegendaryjanitor2008]

There is no permanent dead but if all of your characters die . It is permanent game over and you has to start over . So if your first party wipe they will be left at that dungeon floor , you will has to form another party to go to rescues them . if your second party wipe somewhere , you will has to make new one until u can recuse them or else you will get permanent game over

[@MabiVSGames]

@@thelegendaryjanitor2008 Ooo wow okay awesome that's good to know. Thanks

[@KalenMaahs]

If I could play it on my phone it would be great

[@MabiVSGames]

This would actually be a great mobile game

[@myfavoritejacket404]

reminds me of etrian odyssey I might pick it up

[@MabiVSGames]

It's pretty fun so far!

[@dorianpedraja5439]

Awesome game, great video

[@MabiVSGames]

Thank you 👍

[@empatheticfrog2052]

Honestly 30 bucks is asking a bit much for this. I may pick it up if it dropped too 5 or 10 bucks, but this game seriously looks lacking. If it was an independent studio making it then I'd be way more understanding. But this is square we're talking about... I mean at least some battle animations to make it worth the money would be nice. Even pokemon has things resembling attacks in their games.

[@MabiVSGames]

I agree. At the most with today's gaming climate it reasonably should be max 20$.

[@AnimatronicBadgerlord]

Thanks for the review. Though I admit for a few moments of it I was distracted by the ADORABLE Foxy plush. I'm always interested in a game where I can ignore the story and play the game. The graphics don't bother me at all, if they did I wouldn't have put over 200 hours into Slay the Spire or other similar games. It looks like a solid game Mechanically which is what I desire. This will be a good switch game, once I finish FFXII.

[@MabiVSGames]

Lol thanks. That plushy is very well made

[@sarethums]

I find this very intriguing. If you like the look of this check out castle of no escape.

[@MabiVSGames]

Ooo okay will do

[@Snadon73]

Thank you for the review! Very interested in this game!

[@MabiVSGames]

Glad it helped, :D

[@Snadon73]

@@MabiVSGames It did. Now, I must decide whether I buy it on my laptop (Steam) or my Switch. I am leaning toward the Switch but... Still undecided.

[@MabiVSGames]

@@Snadon73 That’s awesome to hear. It runs well on Switch and since it’s a chill slow paced single player it was perfect for me there, :D

[@luized.3961]

Oh, guess I got sequel to Etrian Odyssey I have been wishing for haha

[@MabiVSGames]

It's pretty addicting.

[@sarethums]

“Mobile looking” no longer has the gravity it used to have. Phones are more powerful than the ps3 these days.

[@MabiVSGames]

You right

[@heikesiegl2640]

Yeah, but its also about presentation. Not only processing power..

[@sarethums]

@@heikesiegl2640 I know, I was thinking that too such as pay to play etc. EA games for example with their gems, loot boxes and so on.

[@MistyKathrine]

Gameplay reminds me of old school text based MUDs.

[@MabiVSGames]

Definitely somewhat I can see that, :D

[@MistyKathrine]

@@MabiVSGames I ended up picking it up on steam, 45 minutes in, I realized I was already addicted to it and started streaming it on my channel, I'm like why the hell not? But yeah, this game is like Wizardry, Ultima, or Mordor: Depths of Dejenol with Final Fantasy mechanics. You have the active time battle system from Final Fantasy 4-9 and Chrono Trigger, then you have things like evasion and magic block stats which are straight out of Final Fantasy VI or the AP system which is straight out of Final Fantasy IX. Dungeon Encounters really is, at it's heart, a Final Fantasy game that evokes the elements of and pays tribute to the classic RPGs that entire genre was built from.

[@ryanblackwell6402]

Yes it’s for me…. I’ll be picking it up!

[@MabiVSGames]

Good to hear!

[@orion7741]

this really has nothing to do with Jrpg's though. this is just a straight up dungeon crawler. pretty much right out of the dungeons and dragons catalog from the 1980's.

[@MabiVSGames]

Nothing to do with JRPGs? Turn based combat with ATB bars.. LOL. Traditional dungeon crawlers and JRPGs share very similar combat systems.

[@jacobrichards3728]

All the mechanics come from jrpgs lol

[@Xanduur]

This will appeal to tabletop gamers I would think. I like it.

[@MabiVSGames]

Absolutely agree

[@user-e1337]

Nice review, thought I'd like it too.

[@mponce951]

Dude if they actually made the battle like the original FF where you see the small characters rather than just the portrait than this game would of blown up. I love the the battle system but just turned off by the just the portrait. Ill wait for sale but honestly this could of epic if they actually have drawn out characters like the original FF games.

[@MabiVSGames]

Ahh that's a good point. Even smaller sprites animated like the old games as a minimum would greatly improve presentation.

[@mponce951]

@@MabiVSGames exactly....the character portraits looks awesome but I wanna what they look like...even if it's 8bit characters like the original game.

[@MabiVSGames]

@@mponce951 FeelsBadMan

[@acr1436]

So strange to me that they made octopath traveler with such cool "2.5d" graphics and then did this with no animation at all. I like the idea of this as a dungeon crawler but if it looked like octopath I expect it would have been better received.

[@mponce951]

@@acr1436 yesss exactly....I dnt even need a story...just give me the battles like that. What a huge miss....I bet if they did that this game wud of been huge

[@jtfike]

It looks like the old wizardry games

[@MabiVSGames]

A lot of people seem to think so too, :D

[@fizzplease6742]

OH yes thank you this is exactly what I wanted to know about this. I was like "oh like Etrian Odyssey, but the maps are already there? What?" Some stuff in common but it sounds like its own thing, I'm into it.

[@MabiVSGames]

Awesome to hear. Hope you enjoy it, :D

[@Batazen]

Would it have killed them to at least have some decent attack animations?

[@MabiVSGames]

:D...

[@joseyjenkins6049]

What's a jrpg

[@MabiVSGames]

well.. you know, :D

[@bringthepain190]

Funny thing it's made by the guy who made final fantasy 6

[@MabiVSGames]

Gimme day quality, :D

[@thelegendaryjanitor2008]

Not only FF6 . He is the guy make most of Final fantasy Mechanic like ATB , job change , Row + back system , materia...........and director 6,9,12 along with game design of 5 ,tactic

[@josemaverick5254]

If anybody’s played The Dark Spire, it seems like that.

[@MabiVSGames]

dayumm I remember that one being pretty fun

[@SylemGistoe]

God, i miss Etrian Odyssey.

[@MabiVSGames]

A lot of people who like this game do, lol :D

[@yahikokoltek5387]

This game is fantastic

[@MabiVSGames]

Glad you think so!

[@danebramage04]

This looks like an early early test build of voice of cards… but they just decided to keep it barebones and sell it !

[@mrdude88]

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

[@MabiVSGames]

Voice of Cards will be an interesting play. 2 weeks to go!

[@UncleAlfieDrip]

Looks lazy. Woulda been cool if they did something like darkest dungeon

[@deusprogrammer_thekingofspace]

The design is very intentional and it works well.

[@MabiVSGames]

C'mon alfie.. LOL

[@UncleAlfieDrip]

🥴 I kinda need to see the gear I’m grinding. Perhaps see my character swing that sword I been obsessing over. This is like the bare bones of something great. If it ever goes on super sale I will try it.

[@MabiVSGames]

Lol I gotcha, I did mention in the video they have their own each individual avatar that's very detailed but only for map walking. Wasted potential there but it's their design choice. So watcha gonna do, ;D

[@jaysea5804]

"Doesnt work like typical rpgs" ok i'm out thanks for the review

[@MabiVSGames]

Any time!

[@jasonburnett1969]

I was having a lot of fun with this one... until on level 13 I ran into a "ninja" with something like 100,000 HP (most things have under 300 HP at this point) and an AOE attack that two-shots my whole team - one shot kills resistances, second KOs the team. Failed 3 or 4 escape attempts, team dead. So I grab my 3 remaining guys from town, equip them with some defense and head back down. Rescued the A-team, drug them to the 2nd town on level 12 and resurrected them. Left my low-level rescue guys in that town. Took the A-team back to 13. Apparently didn't notice the letter code of the ninja the first time. He kills my squad again. And apparently, since I didn't leave my B team in the first town, now it's just game over even though I have 3 live adventurers on level 12. So yeah, I won't be starting a new game. There's absolutely nothing fun about that bullshit.

[@jasonrobert3849]

I only play games for story. So this wouldn’t be for me. Great review though

[@MabiVSGames]

Thanks for checking it out. As long as the video helped inform you on buy or not I'm happy, :D

[@belfosama]

Kemco games have more work on a visual level than this. Yes the Kemco clone games.

[@MabiVSGames]

o-o'

[@rocksocks22]

Square Enix gave this developer lunch money to make this.

[@MabiVSGames]

HuHUeHuEHuE got ‘em

[@creationzikaz4836]

I have no idea where the budget went for this game. No assets for the overmap, only partly drawn enemies (I guess having the full monster displayed would've been too expensive), no original score (it's all public domain classical music covers), no animations for battle (the portraits just move left and right), no animation for spells, some super basic 3d for the moving characters (maybe that's where the money went?), recycled enemies, no bosses, no story... You would think it's an indie game made for 5000 bucks but no, it's from SQUARE ENIX. Were the funds embezzled or something?

[@MabiVSGames]

FeelsBadMan

[@IMRavnos]

Looks lazy and kinda dumb. It's like a bad turn based JRPG, but taken to the laziest level ever. Why not just make it a Zork like game? could have saved them a few hundred bucks.

[@MabiVSGames]

It's okay if you don't like it. There's thousands of other games out there! :D

[@IMRavnos]

@@MabiVSGames Oh I know, I just am a fan of the artist who did the character . . . cards? Plates? whatever? Would have loved to see a game with that art used to make actual characters and not stats with a face near them ;)

[@MabiVSGames]

Gotcha :D

[@omensoffate]

So it’s lazy because it doesn’t fit what you like. Gotcha

[@IMRavnos]

@@omensoffate Yeah that is totally it. I said : "lazy, don't like it" stick to your day job, oh wait, child labor laws.. I forgot.

[@kbaptiste28]

Doesn't matter how good a game is If it's boring to look at.

[@MabiVSGames]

Lol everyone look ^

[@kbaptiste28]

@@MabiVSGames indeed. Shame me for disagreeing with you. Very mature. Boring =/= bad

[@boringnolifekillstreak]

The game looks interesting i should get it on the switch

[@udontsayxxx8622]

its too niche

[@MabiVSGames]

Yee... :(