Luisa, a young lawyer from Vienna, is burnt out and in desperate need of a break. Enter Dungeons of Hinterberg, a delightful escape that combines millennial malaise with cheeky adventure. Luisa decides to leave the city and take a breather in the picturesque Austrian mountain town of Hinterberg, which has recently been enchanted by the arrival of magic. Instead of skiing, tourists now flock to Hinterberg for its mystical dungeons. Surely, a few weeks of monster-slaying and dungeon-crawling will help Luisa find herself and figure out her life, right?
As Luisa arrives in Hinterberg, things take a turn for the unexpected. The town suffers a major earthquake, sparking rumors that the volatile—and heavily exploited—magic is endangering the village. Though she's there for a vacation, Luisa finds herself drawn into the mystery. Between exploring dungeons and battling monsters, she begins to uncover the truth behind Hinterberg's magical economy.
Luisa's days are structured into clear time blocks:
Morning: Enjoy a hearty breakfast.
Afternoon: Tackle a dungeon or relax at a scenic spot.
Evening: Explore the town and socialize.
Night: Unwind by reading, watching TV, or heading straight to bed.
This routine influences her stats—familiarity, renown, relaxation, and amusement. Balancing these stats is key to progressing in the game. Spend too much time socializing and you might need a few evenings of reality TV binge-watching to gain access to certain NPCs.
The bulk of Luisa's adventure is spent in dungeons. Hinterberg's four regions—hilly Doberkogel, foresty Hinterwald, snowy Kolmstein, and swampy Brünnelsumpf—each grant Luisa unique magic powers for combat and puzzle-solving. The enemies are quirky creatures inspired by Alpine mythology, making each encounter both fun and challenging. The puzzles range from simple block-pushing to complex multi-layer sequences, offering a rewarding difficulty curve.
Between dungeon dives, Luisa's evenings are filled with social activities. This Persona-like setup lets her bond with various characters, each with their own reasons for being in Hinterberg. The interactions feel authentic, mirroring the experience of a tourist meeting locals and other visitors. As Luisa builds relationships, the town's rich, magical setting unfolds, revealing layers of intrigue and personal stories.
Dungeons of Hinterberg balances exploration, social interaction, and puzzle-solving beautifully. The strict time division of days allows for a comfortable mix of activities, keeping the gameplay engaging. While the combat might sometimes feel repetitive, the vibrant environments and compelling puzzles more than make up for it.
Set in a fantastical version of Austria, the game addresses real-life themes like commercialization and burnout without missing a beat. Whether Luisa is hoverboarding down a mountainside or navigating a jelly cube through a swamp, her journey feels rooted in a universal quest for self-discovery.
Dungeons of Hinterberg is more than just a game—it's a magical escape that invites players to find themselves amidst the dungeons and mysteries of a quaint Austrian town. Join Luisa on her journey and discover the magic that awaits in Hinterberg.