This evening, I want to highlight an RPG that truly stands out, especially if you’re a fan of classic first-person dungeon crawlers like I am. The game is called Underkeep, and it seems determined to stick to the core mechanics that have made this genre legendary.
Developed by Rake in Grass, an indie studio from Czechoslovakia with about 20 games under their belt, Underkeep brings everything you’d expect from a classic turn-based dungeon crawler: grid-based movement, a four-character party system, and, thankfully, an auto-mapping feature for those long exploration sessions.
In Underkeep, you control a party of four adventurers, each with unique abilities and spells. The game encourages strategic customization, allowing players to combine and upgrade characters’ abilities, gear, and synergies to overcome challenges. As you delve deeper into the mysterious Underkeep, you’ll face a variety of enemies, traps, and environmental hazards while uncovering long-forgotten secrets and engaging with NPCs.
Underkeep has made its debut with a short teaser, but it’s already turning heads with its excellent pixel art style. As for the release date, we’ll have to wait until 2025, with the game planned for both PC and Nintendo Switch.
Below, you’ll find an overview, a few screenshots, and the teaser trailer to get a taste of what’s coming. If you’re into retro-style visuals combined with classic dungeon-crawling mechanics, this one is definitely worth the wait!
About This Game
Underkeep is a loving tribute to the role-playing classics of the 90s with turn-based combat and grid-based movement, bringing the best of old-school dungeon crawlers to the modern era.
Assemble a party of four adventurers in a dangerous fantasy world and delve deeper into the heart of the Underkeep to discover its long-forgotten secrets and uncover the stories of its inhabitants.
FEATURES
• Choose your own playstyle
Assemble a party of four adventurers with unique abilities and spells. Combine and upgrade their powers to overcome their weaknesses. Create synergies by gearing up with fine equipment with game changing properties.
• Explore, overcome, fight
Explore dungeons, pick items, fight enemies, meet NPCs. Overcome traps and deadly environments and descent deeper into the heart of the Underkeep.
• Turn-based combat
Take as much time as you want to think out your next move. Don’t worry when your pizza arrives in the middle of a fight.
• Fluid controls with full controller support
Play either with mouse and keyboard or grab your controller and enjoy the game from the comfort of your couch after a busy day.
The skip animations feature allows you to play at your own pace. No more waiting for tedious animations to finish.
• In-game automap
In-game automap with custom marks so you never get lost.
