Dungeons of Hinterberg Preview – Not Your Typical Idyllic Countryside

Dungeons of Hinterberg wasn’t announced with much fanfare at Summer Game Fest, especially in the face of games such as Starfield, Fable and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. However, it was one of the most promising indies featured during the Xbox Games Showcase. In the same week, a demonstration behind closed-doors showed the gameplay loop as well as some of the stunning visuals. So, when the chance came to play this hybrid action/RPG, I took it.

Dungeons of Hinterberg lets you step into the shoes of Luisa who is on her way to Austria’s newest tourist destination. People from all over the world are enamored with Hinterberg’s many magical dungeons full of mystical and dangerous creatures. Luisa has a goal to visit all 25 dungeons in the four biomes of the region. She will also develop relationships with locals.

In the overworld, I start my first hands-on session in the mountain biome. This introductory section allows me to get an idea of the combat and exploration. Luisa’s attacks are familiar, and she can dodge as well. Spells, however, add an extra layer of complexity to the combat. On top of biome-specific spells you can use to solve puzzles (in this instance, a ball and chain that can grab and pull things and a giant exploding wrecking ball that can put weight on switches), Luisa also has access to combat-specific spells mapped to the face buttons. My spells in the demo build include a meteor shower, an area-of effect attack and a spinning attack that creates a blade-tornado.

Once I’ve defeated several groups of enemies, the door to the titular dungeon is revealed. The puzzles are my favourite part of Dungeons of Hinterberg. I love the fighting, and it’s present in every dungeon. This time, minecarts were the main theme of this set of puzzles. Sometimes, it’s as simple as changing the direction of the tracks, but other times, the changes are more complex and must be performed in sequence to get to my destination. Some cart rides require you to lean into specific directions in order to progress and avoid obstacles. 

It was a mix of puzzles and action. The final challenge came in the form a warlock who could summon projectiles and minions. The battles weren’t particularly challenging, but it was an early dungeon and the developers probably adjusted the difficulty for a beginner.

The demo ends in Hinterberg. You can meet different people in town each evening, after your dungeon-exploring for the day. By borrowing from Persona’s social simulation features, you are able to choose to interact with someone in town. You will gain a closer relationship to them and also get additional stats, such as Relaxation, Amusement, Renown, or Familiarity. You may need to have a specific level of stats for certain quests. It is in your interest to stay well-rounded.

Albert is a mythologist who I sought out instead of Travis. The fact that the creatures of the dungeons are wearing masks of local mythological creatures is a great point. It suggests a deeper connection with the area than just the geographical location.

Dungeons Of Hinterberg has so much more to offer, and this little taste whet my appetite. We could be in store for an exciting adventure if the gameplay continues to develop in meaningful ways, and if the puzzles are as creative as those in the minecart dungeon that I experienced. Dungeons Of Hinterberg will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.