Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada

Ultimately, even if more of the jokes had landed, they wouldn't have been enough to carry the game they're crushed under. I'm aware that repetition in games gets rubbed in by playing long stints for review. Perhaps it all would have been less tiresome if I'd experienced it in the small bursts the original mobile version of DD was designed for. But repetition in general isn't good game design. It needs to be spiced up with novelty or thought, and the actual dungeons of Dandy Dungeon don't pack enough of either.

From top to bottom I have nothing but love for this game. Its premise is simple and addictive, its world is vibrant and full of charm, and it offers you the opportunity to get rid of what is the most annoying aspect of free-to-play games for an arguably reasonable price. And, from what I can tell, there are no ads. In five days, Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada has changed my outlook on mobile gaming. And if you give it a shot, it just might do the same thing for you.

For £20/$25, Dandy Dungeon: The Legend of Brave Yamada packs in plenty of content. It’s taken me about 15 hours to see the credits roll, but even now there’s better equipment for me to aim for and higher scores to aspire to. It’s not your usual dungeon-crawling RPG, and it might not be much of a looker, but Dandy Dungeon is a hell of a lot of fun. It’ll get its quirky little claws in you and refuse to let go.

Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada tells the story of a middle-aged man stuck at a job he hates. Dissatisfied with his life, he sets out to find true happiness. Yamada-kun’s quest to be greater is endearing, and the creative decision to have players experience it alongside him rather than playing as him, puts an exclamation point on this idea. Having the game on Switch is a pleasant bonus at well, providing a brand new way to play the game. This dungeon crawling RPG builds upon familiar mechanics to craft something fresh and new.

Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada is a fun, unique and genuinely funny game. It manages to keep you entertained throughout its playtime with a mix of solid jokes and excellent gameplay, and unlike so many games that jump from mobile to Switch, it works perfectly on the system. It's a delight and one that you'll find yourself hooked on. Also, down with capitalism and billionaire CEOs.

While a little reliant on grinding near the end, Dandy Dungeon: Legend of Brave Yamada is a delightful little tongue-in-cheek RPG with a little heart and a lot of laughs. Its simple yet engrossing gameplay system mixed with fun puzzle mechanics and cute presentation make this a wonderful Switch title to play on the go.

Dandy Dungeon, as becomes apparent almost immediately after starting it up, is an odd duck. With mobile design trappings, puzzle-based dungeon-crawling, and repetitive grinding, it certainly has a tall mountain to climb.