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PAX ’09: ‘Dungeon Hunter’ Hands-On and Video

dungeonhunter1Like most Gameloft games, it’s easy to find games to compare Dungeon Hunter to. It definitely has a strong scent of Diablo to it, but the graphics seem straight out of the Microsoft PC game, Dungeon Siege. Regardless of what comparisons you make, Dungeon Hunter seems like a solid hack and slash that I could see myself spending a embarrassing amount of time playing.

On-screen controls once again are utilized, with a virtual D-Pad controlling movement and a series of buttons that handle your attacks and magic. Three classes are included that each have slightly different strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. Dungeon Hunter plays a lot like Pixel Mines’ Underworlds, in 3D, and could potentially have quite a bit of replay value as you play through the game as a knight, then a rogue, and finally as a mage. Also, along the way you will collect different fairies that assist you on your adventures, each providing a different offensive and/or defensive bonuses.

I was able to spend about 15 minutes playing Dungeon Hunter, which obviously is nowhere near the amount of time needed to even begin to sink your teeth into an RPG.

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The story starts with the full motion video trailer we posted earlier, and your character waking up in his tomb. Where do you go from there? I’m not entirely sure, but it involves slaying countless evil minions, stuffing your pockets with gold, and customizing your character with the impressive equipment and skill system of which I was only barely able to experience the tip of the iceberg.

The following video is being played on a 2nd generation iPod Touch showing the first few minutes of the game:


[ Full HD version | Low Bandwidth version ]

Following that, you eventually exit the tomb, make your way to a nearby village, receive a quest, and head back down for more hacking, slashing, and most importantly, loot collecting. Gameloft has proven themselves as extremely capable of taking a game concept, adapting it to the iPhone, and making it work. I can’t yet say if Dungeon Hunter is going to have the same timeless charm of the Diablo series (which I played for years) but I love what I’ve seen so far, and can’t wait to play more.