Review of Dungeons 4: Nintendo Switch Edition

Kalypso Media and Realmforge Studios have teamed up again to bring us Dungeons 4 – Nintendo Switch Edition, where the excitement lies in crafting and perfecting your dungeon to fend off those irritating dwarves. Here’s our take on the game for the Switch!

In Dungeons 4 – Nintendo Switch Edition, you’re stepping into the shoes of Dark Elf Thalya, fully committed to serving the Absolute Evil. Your mission is to create a cozy, functional dungeon that caters to the needs of your creatures, enabling them to venture into the Overworld and cause chaos. But it’s not just about fun and games. You need to protect your dungeon! Corrupting forests to earn your dark stripes attracts not only dwarves but also elves and humans, all looking to raid your dungeon for its treasures. You’ll need to navigate through 20 fully-voiced missions and some skirmish maps to prove who’s really in charge—even if that’s the boss’s second-in-command.

Think of this Nintendo Switch Edition as a deluxe offering of the Dungeons 4 experience, enriched with bonus content. Extras include a “Princess” outfit exclusive for Thalya, fresh attire choices for the Little Snots, and a distinct skin for your throne room. Not to forget the ‘Storming of Dollaran’ map, special skins for Thalya and the Evil Hand, official soundtrack, and digital artbook! Do note that you’ll need an internet connection to access the DLC section, where you can grab the code valid for 60 minutes to download these goodies.

As you dive into the game, you’ll embark on the journey to complete 20 missions with the resources at hand. Maneuvering the camera is done with the left analog stick, and selecting units is as easy as pressing the A button. Assign tasks to your units—whether it’s running to a location or attacking enemies. They’ll automatically target any foes within their range. You can trigger mission-specific actions via the – button, like unleashing Thalya’s powerful fury.

If you wish to select your entire army or just specific units, the process is simple. Hover over an individual unit and hit the A button, or quickly gather all your troops by pressing up on the D-Pad. Once chosen, send them off with the Y button to any spot, especially over those hapless enemies you’re ready to defeat under your formidable might.

As you vanquish enemies and bolster your armies—possibly freeing some trapped allies in the process—watch as your corruption spreads over the land, transforming its vibrant pastel hues into more ominous fiery landscapes. There’s a certain satisfaction in watching the Absolute Evil’s influence reshape the realm.

To add to the thrill, you can strive to fulfill objectives that unlock in-game achievements. Take the first mission, The Last Stand, for instance. The tasks you’ll tackle include completing it on any difficulty level (adjustable with the Y button), ensuring Thalya survives through the mission, and defeating 10 heroes while Thalya’s Fury is in play.

Dungeons 4 – Nintendo Switch Edition lets you indulge in dungeon-building to outsmart those pesky dwarves, once more stepping into the role of Dark Elf Thalya. Your task is to do anything necessary in service of the Absolute Evil, creating a pleasant and productive dungeon to meet your creatures’ needs before unleashing them upon the Overworld. The graphical scaling for Nintendo’s console means you might notice a dip in visual quality, especially while in Portable or Tabletop mode or on a Switch Lite.

Consider this version your ultimate Dungeons 4 bundle, provided with extra flair and features. With an exclusive “Princess” outfit for Thalya, new looks for the Little Snots, a unique throne room look, and much more, it really is a beefed-up package!

Priced at $49.99, Dungeons 4 – Nintendo Switch Edition is ready for you to explore. And if that’s not enough, enhance your experience with The Good, The Bad, and the Evil DLC for $14.99. This expansion brings five new fully-voiced missions in a novel setting, alongside four fresh dwarf enemy types—the Pistolero, Machine Dwarf, Crack Shot, and Brewmaster—with more traps and deadly units to keep things lively.

(Disclaimer: Our insights into Dungeons 4 – Nintendo Switch Edition are grounded on a review copy provided by Kalypso Media.)