While at PAX Prime this year, I got the opportunity to meet with Seattle based Big Fish Games. At first I was hesitant, since it’s well known that they are a huge provider of primarily casual games for mobile devices. Not that there is anything wrong with casual games, it’s just that typically we shy away from them at oprainfall. However, my contact was persistent, and I was curious what surprises they had up their sleeves, so I agreed to meet them.
All I knew going in was that they had something to show me that was not their typical fare, and I was intrigued. As I sat down with Chris Williams, General Manager and VP of Skyrocket Studios, Carlos Rodela, Social Media Specialist, and Jessica Sachs, Director of Digital Media, I was treated to a new property called Dungeon Boss. This game represents the first of their attempts to try to appeal to a more “mid-core” audience, catering to casual and hardcore gamers alike.
Dungeon Boss represents a collaboration between Big Fish Games and Boss Fight Entertainment, previously known for such titles as Age of Empires, Rise of Nations and even Halo Wars. They are known for AAA entertainment of a high caliber, and look to use their talents to make a roguelike mobile game in Dungeon Boss.
From what I saw at PAX, it looks like a highly stylish yet cartoony game, with visual nods to such games such as Minecraft and Theatrhythm. Dungeon Boss looks to marry a “play games anytime” ethos with complex RPG elements such as leveling up, elemental weaknesses and tactical combat. Gameplay looked very intuitive and fun for any fan of games like Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics and the like.
For those worried it will be too casual or lacking personality, fret not. The game already has lots of tongue and cheek humor, as the first boss character I saw was the Lich Lord who utilized the devastating Lich Slap against the heroes. And though the graphics make it look casual, I would venture that other games with simplistic graphics have had complex mechanics and heavy replay value, such as Bravely Default, Theatrhythm, Gunpoint and many more.
I was happy to be given the opportunity to meet with Big Fish Games, and look forward to when Dungeon Boss releases for iOS and android devices. Until then, feel free to check out the official press release for Dungeon Boss.
