As gaming genres go, real-time strategy titles have been a popular go-to for many players over the years. RTS games often let gamers hone their multitasking skills and face simultaneous threats across a wide map instead of the more traditional one-on-one combat in other action games, and as such, they usually present a fun and challenging experience. Realmforge Studios and Kalypso Media’sDungeonsseries puts a new twist on thefamiliar RTS formula, adding elements of simulation alongside the focus on strategy and flips the script in more ways than one.
With the latest iteration,Dungeons 3, coming toNintendo Switchnext month, players may want to learn a bit more about the series before they dive in and try their hand at building their own dungeon and taking down their rivals along the way. Each entry in the series has its own story, focus, and slight gameplay changes, so players will have plenty to keep them occupied if they want to delve into the chaotic world ofDungeons.
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A Blend Of Simulation And Strategy
Fantasy games that revolve around dungeonsare nothing new – in fact, they’re basically a genre in and of themselves – but almost all of them are from the hero’s perspective. Players are usually charged with infiltrating the dungeon, stealing its treasures or unearthing its secrets, and slaying whatever antagonistic monster or multitude of dungeon-dwelling creatures call it home. Realmforge Studios' series presents gamers with a different option entirely and instead has them take on the role of the Dungeon Lord as they work to repel the heroes who would try and raid their carefully constructed underground realm.
Dungeonstasks gamers with harvesting Soul Energy from hapless heroes, but as it can only be gained when adventuring NPCs are at their happiest, players must construct their dungeons as well as manage the heroes that dare enter them before they meet their sticky end.Dungeons 2shifted the focus of the series slightly, paying more of a direct homage to the 90s strategy video gameDungeon Keeper, getting players to recruit monsters to help them enact their revenge on the heroes of the Overworld while maintaining the dungeon management and real-time elements of the previous game.
The Latest For The Series
Dungeons 3may have been released back in 2017 for PC and consoles, butits upcoming Switch releasewill mean it could be reaching a new wave of players. The game is a great mix of classic RTS elements with dungeon management and straightforward action sequences, while still giving players the chance to indulge their villainous side. It takes the humor established in the two previous entries and doubles down, throwing in references to other sci-fi and fantasy properties from across the cultural spectrum. As with the previous titles, players must construct the most challenging dungeons they can to ward off wave upon wave of NPC heroes while collecting resources and harvesting Soul Energy for their necessary improvements.
Gamers can undertake the missions inDungeons 3in single-player ortackle the campaign in co-op, and there’s even the opportunity to go above their ground-dwelling dungeon to the surface and control the Dungeon Lord’s minions as they move about, use their abilities, and engage in battles. The comfortingly familiar elements ofDungeons 3are reminiscent of games from decades past, but there are enough newer features and updated aspects to keep it from feeling overly dated or repetitive.Dungeons 3is a perfect addition to the Switch and could help players while away a good chunk of time as they try their hand at being a bad guy.
Dungeons 3is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and launches for Nintendo Switch on July 19, 2025.
