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 While the art seems somewhat outdated, it helps you focus on the elements in a puzzle that really matter, it is immediately clear how a certain puzzle is structured.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!
