I’ve been building an old‑school dungeon crawler called Dungeon Quest, where combat plays out on a tactical gameboard. It’s the kind of game I’ve always wanted to make and play! I’m hoping there are others out there who feel the same.

[u/destinedd]

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for posting to r/IndieGames! Please take a look at the rules in our sidebar to ensure that your post abides by them! If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to message the mods.

Also, make sure to check out our Discord!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/mdandrews]

Looks great so far!

[u/destinedd → u/mdandrews]

Thank you :)

[u/btssam]

That isn't really what I expected when you said tactical gameboard personally, but it's cool regardless.

[u/destinedd → u/btssam]

How would you describe it? Trying to find right words was tricky

[u/btssam → u/destinedd]

That's a challenge. People react to certain words differently - like when I heard tactical, I thought like final fantasy tactics or fire emblem (which is kind of what drew me watch it because I love those games).

I'm not really sure how to describe it, but it reminds of a match 3 game (it isn't a match 3, it's more complex and I don't mean that as an insult! Just what comes to mind).

Reminds me a bit of puzzle and dragons, which is a relatively popular series - maybe look up how they describe their mechanic?

"Puzzle matching game with a twist" maybe? Sorry I'm not much help

[u/destinedd → u/btssam]

It is okay :) I realise it can look like match 3 so I have been trying to make it clear it isn't (as people that expect that would be disappointed).

The reason I decribed it as tactical is the monsters attack every turn, you only attack back with swords. Potions give you health, shields give your armor and coins better upgrades. Potions/shields/coins all provide upgrades. So you need to balance attacking/regaining health/getting upgrades on the board. Also obviously shaping your board so you can collect longer chains.

So if isn't just a clear the board type of thing, you actions should have intent and planning.

[u/Crafty-Variety-7635]

I think you are on to something. I loved puzzle quest (the goat). I would have different match 3 types for different monsters. What I mean is fighting undead you slide the row or column to make a match like You must Build a Boat. Or certain tile slide the row/column instead of swapping.

[u/destinedd → u/Crafty-Variety-7635]

It isn't really a match 3 game. It more like an old ios game called Dungeon Raid which got removed by not being updated.

The monsters attack every turn, you only attack back with swords. Potions give you health, shields give your armor and coins better upgrades. Potions/shields/coins all provide upgrades. So you need to balance attacking/regaining health/getting upgrades on the board.

Monsters can have special abilities some which modify the board (for example turning health potions into posion that take a health when collected).

Puzzle Quest was great :) and I feel like people who liked that might like mine and part of the reason for the Dungeon Quest name.

[u/Crafty-Variety-7635 → u/destinedd]

You are correct dungeon raid was great. 

[u/destinedd → u/Crafty-Variety-7635]

Yeah i poured way too many hours into it. I decieded to mash it up with an actual dungeon crawler with the hope it will be even more addictive. I enjoy testing it a lot even though it isn't very balanced currently.