Gamersmint Review : Din’s Curse

In the Skill Set trees, apart from assigning the types of armor and weapons you can equip and other basic abilities like health gain, gives your character abilities that can be utilized in the game. For example, you can learn the skill of Shield Dash in Paladin Skill Set under Priest Class. These Skill Sets don’t have a “tree system”, so higher skills can be learned right at the beginning by saving up the Skill Points. Assigning Skill Points also costs money, however, you can also unassign these skill points using the money. So there is no problem of reverting back if you doubt your decision in this non linear skill system. The Loot system here is highly satisfying, with plenty of loot dropped out of literally every monster in the game. There are many varieties of items dropped, from rare items to cursed items which have certain setbacks. All items can be stored in both personal and shared (with other players) stash or traded to the merchants. One good thing about items is that there is no need for Identification Scrolls! Every item can be identified by a simple right click! Also there is no traditional town scrolls, players have to find portal gates in every level of the dungeons which instantly teleports the player back to the town. These features certainly exemplify the game’s focus more on the action part rather than hoarding.

Speaking of graphics, it’s not entirely the plus point of the game. Graphics wise, the game shifts the focus back to the 90s of gaming. Polygons and Character Models are dated and made in low resolution, textures are grainy, game animations are simple and bland and sometimes quite outrageous. Sound Effects are pretty good with the usual grunts and monster wails done in style, although the music here is minimal and keeps on playing in the loop. The overall presentation and the general interface are lacking polish and the refinement found in other related games like Torchlight. The game is also buggy, with some areas practically inaccessible and some main quests unsolvable just because you are unable to find the monster which needs to be killed! However, if one good thing comes out of this, it’s that it doesn’t tax much on the system and can be enjoyed on systems equipped with low processing power and graphics unit. Also there are no loading times anywhere in the entire game, with transitions from town to dungeons being done almost instantly. However, a bit more polishing of the general interface, proper animations and somewhat less bugs would have been desirable to increase the charisma of the game. The latest patch however addresses many of these issues, including creating proper lighting effects and updating character models.

There is also a neat co-op mode in Din’s Curse, which allows unlimited players to join and play together (practically though, it depends on the Server load). Players share their quests and experience points and work together to wreak chaos. Connection can be established by broadcasting a server over the internet, broadcasting over a LAN or a direct IP connection.

Closing Comments

That being said, the game overall is a fun package. It has certain innovative factors that makes it click. From dynamic gameplay and randomization to a unique event system and inclusion of a time factor while solving quests, the game certainly defers from the trademark mindless hack n slash established in this genre. All the mentioned factors also add lots of replay value to the game. However bland graphics, dated textures and some irritating bugs certainly makes the game loose a certain bit of appeal but it makes up for it with its strong core gameplay elements and a good co op. Din’s Curse is a surprise package from an indie development team and is certainly recommended for anyone having even a passing interest in this genre.

Discuss about this game over here

What Clicked

• Excellent Gameplay
• Good Replay Value
• Pacing

What Bombed

• Bland Graphics and poor presentation
• Irritating Bugs
• Gets slightly repetitive later on

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