Usage of VR

In addition to using the standard VR headset and controllers, players have the option of two types of movement. The first is the teleportation movement, a mechanic introduced in early VR games and common in many nowadays as well. The second is moving via the analog stick. There are also three methods of playing in regards to physical space. You may play seated as well as while standing, and you also have the option of playing in room scale, allowing you to move within an area set by the room scale boundary in order to move within the game as well. Using the other analog stick not used for moving lets you snap turn, allowing for turning around without having to physically do so.

Ancient Dungeon uses VR in a simple but effective way, giving players weapons to hold as well as utilizing a physics-based combat system in order to make physical and ranged attacks feel more immersive and more satisfying. There are two weapon sets, the Sword & Knife, and the Crossbow & Dagger. The Sword and Dagger are melee weapons, letting players hold them with a controller and swing around in any way in order to attack enemies or to hit the environment. The Dagger and Crossbow are ranged weapons, with the Dagger only being able to attack via being thrown, which uses the aformentioned physics system to give realism to how you throw it, with the angle and speed when thrown affecting it. The Crossbow is simple, point it at anything and shoot it, releasing a bolt that also is affected by gravity.

Ancient Dungeon also uses VR's immersion to its fullest by letting the player interact with the environment around. Grass and vegetation grow around the dungeons, all which have the ability to be cut down with a sword or dagger. There are also occasionally boxes and pots that may appear which may also be broken to reveal an item. Some areas have a ladder or bars alongside a wall, which you traverse by reaching out, grabbing, and pulling yourself, then repeating the process.

GIFs Taken from Ancient Dungeon Steam page

Intended Users

By it's nature as a video game, Ancient Dungeon is intended for entertainment. There is a large following behind the rogue-like/rogue-lite genre due to its nature of always having a new experience. People who don't mind the idea of not having permanency in their playthrough and love the challenge of trying something multiple times in order to progress would be the kind of audience Ancient Dungeon caters to. The audience may also include people who like dark, dungeon-like settings, as there is a bit of element of fear when traversing through a dungeon.

As a rogue-lite, Ancient Dungeon is very casual-friendly and non-committal, as you can easily pick up and play whenever you'd like and have a fun experience each time, and it does not require you to constantly play to enjoy. So users who don't have time for larger, more committal games may also find a liking to Ancient Dungeon. Kids and adults alike are able to enjoy the game, with its simplistic block visuals similar to that of Minecraft, and there does not require much problem solving beyond just traversing the dungeon.

Negatives

• Low field of view headsets in addition to narrow corridors makes it feel cramped, and makes you need to turn around a lot more in order to see anything. Not easy to fight multiple enemies as just one takes up your whole view.

• Only way to avoid attacks is through moving and only blocking for some specific attacks. Moving and turning around constantly, especially if moving with the analog stick, is disorienting and may contribute to motion sickness.

• Some lack of variety in the combat- upgrades and enhancements help but other playstyles would help

• Does require a decently large space to account for swings and turning

Images and gifs taken from Ancient Dungeon's Steam page