Dark Delve (XBLIG): "A Dungeon Crawler/Turn Based RPG"

Dark Delve is one of those games that kind of reinvents a genre. In this case that game genre happens to be RPGs. Checkmark Games, the developer behind this one of a kind RPG brings their game to life in a very artistic manner. Aside from the core turn based RPG gameplay, 'Dark Delve' features hand drawn characters/creatures, and photographic scenery that is showcased throughout the game's entirety. The game begins with an epic, and somewhat poetic tale of a queen who has turned against her people. Generations after being sealed away, a team of heroes (mages, warriors, rogues) must go on a quest to mercifully end the queens life before she does any further harm to her kingdom. As the player you take on the role of 4 customizable characters with different skills (mages, warriors, rogues). You get to choose the look of each character from various drawings. You can even name your band of heroes as you see fit. Once you have your team ready you will be set to go on your way.

Dark Delve features a unique visual approach to the RPG genre. It has a 3D corridor look to it as well as 2D hand drawn creatures that you must battle throughout the game. The game itself takes place in one very large dungeon that has many rooms to explore. As you make your way through the rooms of the massive dungeon you will encounter various creatures, and traps. You can search everything in the dungeon from the crates, to the doors for info on what lies inside. The combination of 2D, and 3D elements definitely sets this RPG experience apart from others.

Like any RPG 'Dark Delve' features different types of shops/merchants. You can purchase, and equip your characters with various pieces of armor, and weaponry that are availble. A unique potion creating system is also present in the game which allows you to use the essences you find throughout the dungeon to make different kinds of potions. A wizard is available in the village that can analyze the relics you find on your quest. I found the shop/merchant menus to be very user friendly, and somewhat like that of the old Final Fantasy games. If you've ever played a classic RPG you will easily understand all of the equipment options. You'll find that suiting up your characters with the best equipment available is very necessary as you progress deeper into the dungeon to face the more difficult enemies.

There are three character types (mage, warrior, rogue) in 'Dark Delve' and you can create your team of heroes using any combination of them. Each character type can only use the certain types of equipment that applies to them. The characters will level up after gaining experience from battles, and the experience you gain can be used to upgrade your characters via three different sub-classes (mage = wizard ..., warrior = knight ..., rogue = paladin...). Each sub-class features new skills that can be learned/used by assigning points to them. Whenever you level up each character in your party will recieve one upgrade point that can be used on whichever sub-class you like.

Gameplay in 'Dark Delve' is very similar to that of classic turn based RPGs (Final Fantasy ...). You have all the actions during combat that you'd expect in an RPG such as defending, attacking, skills, breaks (similar to break limits of FFVII), and items. Each type of character in the game has different skills, and breaks like healing and powerful strikes that become active during certain combat phases. Your characters also have a set number of hit points (HP), an special points (SP) as any RPG would have. This is a turn based game, so deciding when to attack or defend is very vital to your success in the game. Deciding how to spend your SP is also very important, and can either lead to your victory or your failure. At the end of each battle in 'Dark Delve' there is a grading phase that determines how well you did during the battle. Your rank (A -D+++) is decided by things like the difficulty, and speed at which you defeated your enemy. Each battle attribute is measured in percentages, and the translated into a final lettered rank (A - D+++).

In the end I really liked 'Dark Delve'. It's unique, and artistic take on the RPG was quite enjoyable to experience. I loved the developers personal touch with their own artwork. As an artist I found it neat to see someone else's artwork incorporated into a game. The narrating at the beginning that told the story of the game reminded me a lot of Konami's 'Castlevania: SotN' voice actor which I really enjoyed listening to. The story itself was well versed, and really brought the RPG to life giving it a solid mythology. I enjoyed pretty much everything about this game from the turn based combat, to the 2D/3D renderings. The shop, relic, and potion systems were kept simple, yet interesting in a way that nicely accented the whole gameplay experience. If you like the classic turn based RPGs, and love something new as well then I think 'Dark Delve' would be a great addition to your XBLIG library.