DROD 1+2+3

There's nothing quite like it even though the turn based ruleset is quite simple. You control Beethro in a grid based room, move with the numpad in every direction and turn the sword clockwise or CCW with Q and W. Every turn you do, the enemies move too. The goal is to kill every enemy in the room and leave. Solve every room and exit the level. This simple premise has evolved to create an absurd numbers of room that all have their own ways to approach it. DROD1 uses a puzzle theme for it's levels and has a nice difficulty curve. It introduces new elements or enemies to get familiar only to throw a curveball when you think you've figured it all. Rooms will come along that have enemies you can't reach or you can kill everything but you can't leave. This is where DROD starts to shine. The level designers took great care to make ever room as unique, challenging and rewarding as possible and not some mindless slaying. Without the community I probably would've given up in some rooms. But there's a help button for every room which directly takes you to the caravel forum and the according room thread. The community will give hints and/or share replays. After clearing a room you can watch the top10 replays for this room. The min/maxing that is going on is sometimes mindblowing. Solutions that took you 400 turns could've been done at 80. I still think I've not mastered to describe DROD in all it's glory but for 10$, you should just buy it and see for yourself!

These days games require less and less thinking, and are both short and easy. How refreshing it is to play a game that captivates you and really challenges your mind. DROD is that kind of game. While the franchise has been around for some time, the games hold up surprisingly well. While the art seems somewhat outdated, it helps you focus on the elements in a puzzle that really matter, it is immediately clear how a certain puzzle is structured. DROD really shines through its gameplay. While the screenshots imply a need for quick reactions, other elements only do their thing when you have made your choice. This means you can predict how things will react to your action. Monsters and elements will always react in the same way according to their logic. Your goal is, as a dungeon exterminator, to eliminate all threats in a puzzle. The challenge lies in figuring out how to 'clear' a room without getting killed. If you do get killed, death is not a permanent state. A simple 'backspace' puts you back one move in time, or you can restart at a checkpoint in the room. To me, playing DROD gives me the satisfaction of solving complex but fair puzzles. When you figure it out, it feels like you have actually accomplished something. And if you ever solve all puzzles DROD ships with there's a great selection of user-made content, which rivals the quality of the official content. At this price point, you can't really go wrong with this. You get mind-boggling puzzles, a nice atmosphere, and a genuine feeling of accomplishment. I would recommend this to anyone who likes solving challenges and figuring out puzzles!

I've been playing these games for years before they were avaialble on GOG. Very smart well designed puzzle games. I'm a big fan. If you like challenging puzzles be sure to try this out.

DROD games have always been easy-to-play but hard to master. Even when you are SURE you know all the strategies for each situation there is still a lot of room for new puzzles; especially when there's a lot different traps and monsters for you to use. There is a lot of official material but even more user-made material, so you don't have to worry you'll run out of gameplay, no! This series is made with love and it shows! Ask the user base, they can't be wrong!