Dungeons 2 lifts its villainous sword and shuffles its minion army onto the PlayStation 4 scene with a mix of diabolical delight and slightly awkward charm. As the Ultimate Evil, you navigate your way through treacherous terrain and heroic shenanigans in an effort to reclaim your underworld dominion. But beware: it’s a far cry from dominating the big bad underground when you can barely keep your minions happy. What could possibly go wrong in a game about being unpleasant? Spoiler: plenty.
Enter the dimly lit realm of Dungeons 2, where the player assumes the role of the Ultimate Evil - a disembodied specter left bitter after being sliced, diced, and served to the dungeoneering heroes. It’s time to dust off the old evil protocols and train a troop of obedient lackeys. As any good sadistic overlord knows, minions come with strange requests, like daily snacks and employment benefits. You'll have to keep them pleased if you want to avoid a mutiny, which could be a major buzzkill in your quest for total domination. Building a dungeon has never been more exciting or, let’s be honest, frustrating. You'll commandeer your minions to dig tunnels, lay down rooms, and decorate with that brooding dungeon aesthetic. But, watch out! Some areas are non-diggable, which might have you gnashing your teeth and cursing the game gods. Resources are stashed inside stone blocks, meaning you’ll spend a considerable chunk of your time digging and uncovering wealth - the in-game currency, not the “happiness from within” kind. Dungeons 2 throws a twist into the mix with the Overworld, accessible via cave exits heroically traversed by, well, heroes. This shift into real-time strategy mode affords players some interesting options. Whether you want to obliterate kingdoms or engage in dastardly quests, the choice is yours. And if the sarcastic narrator (who might have more sass than your favorite social media influencer) has anything to say about it, you'll be cheekily guided as to the best way to rain chaos down upon the unsuspecting populace.
Visually, Dungeons 2 doesn't quite hit the modern gaming benchmarks but retains a whimsical charm that feels at home with its strategy genre. Characters are brightly designed, with an art style reminiscent of classic strategy games while still engaging enough to prevent you from falling asleep at the controller. The environments, while pleasing, sometimes tread on the line between distinctly colorful and a bit busy — finding that delicate balance can be tough when you’re plotting evil amidst all the cheery chortles of your minion workforce. A critic might call the visual aesthetic 'cute,' and you can quickly tell it's beautifully crafted without being a groundbreaker.
Dungeons 2 has its quirks, its chaotic charms, and a sense of humor that keeps it frolicking across the realm of the undead (in a cute way!). Available on PS4, it effortlessly embodies the essence of whimsical evil and allows players to revel in their role as the not-so-ultimate villain. While it may not dethrone the likes of its forebears in the strategy genre, it does enough to earn a spot in your library. For the strategy enthusiast who enjoys building dark lairs filled with mischief and mayhem, Dungeons 2 is a delightful ride. Just remember: when managing chaos, always keep the snacks ready for your very demanding minions.