Endless Space was (and still is) a pretty amazing 4X strategy game that still draws in players thanks to a ton of depth and replay value plus a very healthy modding community. So, as one of a few follow up titles, developer Amplitude Studios is making… a dungeon crawler set in the same universe? Yes, this is Dungeon of the Endless, currently in development and coming soon to PC via Steam.
Well, that actually works very well for me, as I love that genre more than poking about amount the stars and hoping all my ships aren’t blown into space dust because I got lazy and forgot to do something twenty hours before that’s coming back to bite me in the butt. As you can see above in that teaser trailer, the game will feature randomly generated maps, loads of space beasties to dispatch or be dispatched by and is pretty much guaranteed to suck many, many hours of free time away from stuff you SHOULD be getting done except you were too busy being up too late at night not doing things like sleeping and dreaming of more productive endeavors…
But hey, stick me in a dank stinky monster-packed dungeon in any game from fantasy to sci-fi themed and I’ll be making torches out of old bones and some gassy monster’s innards (where’s my lighter?) while beating the crap out of some space goblins with my left shoe as I head for what’s behind Door Number 2 to grab some loot and scoot away to live and fight another day.
The game looks quite nice so far (you can’t go wrong with decent art direction I always say) and the mixing of “retro” pixel art with modern color usage is definitely quite intriguing as you can see to the right and in the assorted concept art below:
So, how can you get your paws on this game you ask? Well, thanks for asking because you now get an answer courtesy of some press release action to pore over. Yes, I’m crapping out on the creativity side here, but that’s because I’m buried under stuff to do:
Dungeon of the Endless is a rogue-like dungeon-defense game offering a retro 2D look with modern 3D graphics on PC. Players will build and equip a team, gather resources and construct defenses, and explore an infinite number of dungeons in an effort to reach the planet’s surface.
The tough hybrid title plays entirely differently than the 4X game Endless Space, but keen observers will notice ties between the two, as each is set in the Endless universe.
Each time players start a new game, they will experience a totally new, randomly generated map, collect resources just like those found in Endless Space (Dust, Food, Industry, and Science), and battle an armada of alien enemies all in the attempt to escape the dungeon.
Dungeon of the Endless features (*Many features offered here will be revealed in stages throughout the continual updating process of Steam’s Early Access program):
A distinct rogue-like do-or-die play-style that encourages teamwork
Countless battle scenarios against a brutal horde of hideous monsters
Randomly created dungeons for a new experience each time
Team creation, management, customization, and combat abilities*
Technology and resource management abilities including the skillful handling of Dust, Food, Industry and Science to keep one’s team alive and prepared for battle
Module creation to stave off enemy monsters
Many exploration paths on the planet of Auriga featuring Endless ruins that provide life-saving technologies*
There are two digital retail packs available on Steam:
Pixel Pack: (Full Price: $12.99 – 11.99€ / -25% Early Access Price: $9.75 – 8.99€)
Dungeon of the Endless game: Instant access to the Alpha version and all versions including the release
Official Digital Soundtrack (available at release): All
Dungeon of the Endless tracks created by FlyByNo in mp3 format
“Dungeon of the Endless” Community Badge (available at release): Adds a unique badge to your Amplitude account; Adds 200 G2G to the value of your votes on our website
Founder Pack: (Full Price: $19.99 – 18.99€ / -25% Early Access Price: $14.99 – 14.25€)
Dungeon of the Endless game: Instant access to the Alpha version and all versions including the release
In-game Ship Pack: The Library (available at release): “The Library” Ship Pack includes an exclusive Ship, Module and Item
In-game Hero: Josh ‘Ntello (available at release): Adds Josh ‘Ntello (Scientist) to the hero cast of the game
Official Digital Soundtrack (available at release): All Dungeon of the Endless tracks created by FlyByNo in mp3 format
The Vaulters faction for Endless Space: A brand new faction for our game Endless Space
A -50% Steam Coupon for Endless Space: Adds a Steam
Coupon into your Inventory
A -50% Steam Coupon for Endless Space Disharmony: Adds a Steam Coupon into your Inventory
Vaulters unit skins for Endless Legend (available at release): A new look for your Vaulters’ units in our upcoming game! The final design will be chosen by the community via a G2G Vote
“Dungeon of the Endless” Community badge (available at release): Adds a unique badge to your Amplitude account; Adds 200 G2G to the value of your votes on our website
“DotE Founder” Community badge (available at release): Adds a unique badge to your Amplitude account; Adds 200 G2G to the value of your votes on our website