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Let me clarify something at the very beginning: I'm not the biggest fan of roguelike games. I wouldn’t say I hate them—some roguelikes, like Hades, are very dear to me—but, in essence, games that base their entire gameplay on repetition simply fail to hold my attention.
With that off my chest, I can continue with this review, and I think my words will have a bigger impact knowing that these types of games aren't exactly to my taste. However, the fun Dragon Is Dead gave me was more than enough to place it very close to those timeless hits that will never lose my affection.
So, what is so special about this game that managed to keep me occupied for that long? I'd say the answer is quite simple: its simplicity, above all else. Dragon Is Dead doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It brings you good ol’ roguelike action full of runs, sudden deaths, and a lot of repetition—but the game is designed in a way that each run, apart from some gear you'll keep, leaves you wiser with the kind of experience not shown on the screen.
Like in the vast majority of such titles, the story isn't this game's strongest suit. You’ll be put in the boots of the last survivor of a clan of deathless warriors who has been sent to stop the reign of a corrupted dragon by killing it—very original plot, don’t you think?
Well, the story's originality speaks volumes about how much emphasis the game places on its narrative. It’s just there to keep things together and help you connect the dots. At the end of the day, what really matters is the gameplay, which, truth be told, features some mechanics even the strongest roguelikes wouldn't be ashamed of.
As with any other roguelike, Dragon is Dead sets you on a path toward the ultimate goal: to kill the final boss, the Dragon. But on that path, you'll pass through many stages, kill countless mobs and mini-bosses, and die—a lot—repeating the process all over again.
Every time you die (and again, you will die a lot), you'll be sent back to the beginning. If you expect shortcuts to unlock and help you progress faster, like in some other similar titles, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Since Dragon is Dead is a linear 2D game, you'll be following the exact same path each time, with the only difference being the loot you pick up along the way.
Speaking of loot, the gameplay is heavily influenced by the artefacts you find during your runs. These artefacts shape your specific build, and, like in every roguelike, luck plays a crucial role. The luckier you are in finding better gear and artefacts, the further you're likely to get in a run.
Apart from artefacts, you'll collect XP points, gold for buying upgrades and gear from merchants, and different weapons and pieces of armour. Once you die, everything you acquired during that run will be lost—except for the gear. Every sword, axe, or helmet remains in your possession.
At first, I was surprised by this approach. You’d typically expect gear to be the first thing you lose after a run, with maybe skills or currency carrying over. But this system actually changes the game at its core.
With this design, you invest in gear. Once you get your hands on a piece of equipment that can be a game-changer—like, say, a fire sword that lets you breeze through early levels—you’ll want to upgrade it and make it as strong as it can possibly be.
Regarding combat—if I want to be gentle, I'd say it's not among the best in the genre. If I want to be harsh, I'd call it a small disaster—not a big one, but still. Okay, no one expects a sophisticated combat system from a roguelike title, even though some manage it, but this game would definitely benefit from more depth.
In Dragon is Dead, button mashing is everything. There’s a single command for attacking, and once you unlock certain skills, they get automatically assigned to other buttons. So, your combat loop becomes spamming attacks, dodging, or jumping to avoid enemy attacks—and that’s it. No more, no less.
Regular enemies aren’t too difficult and fall easily, unlike bosses, who present a significant threat. Boss fights are more chaotic than they are challenging, and you’ll need to adapt quickly to avoid losing progress due to a few poor decisions.
Graphically speaking, Dragon is Dead is a small visual feast—not because the graphics are groundbreaking, but because the pixelated art style is so detailed it feels like every scene is hand-drawn.
The colour palette is excellent too, capturing the dark fantasy tone perfectly. Many levels showcase different biomes, and the pixel art capably portrays each one’s oppressive mood, masterfully blending simple retro design with a modern touch.
One of the game’s few disappointing aspects is the audio presentation, and I feel compelled to highlight this particular shortcoming. The biggest issue? Unvoiced dialogue. I understand that this is an indie title likely made on a small budget, but even a few voice lines would have gone a long way in improving the overall experience.
And not only that—dialogues are too lengthy, keeping you occupied with reading for far too long. That wouldn’t be a problem if there were voiceovers to accompany them. But in this form, I ended up skipping most of the text and likely missed out on a lot of story in the process.
As for the rest of the sound design, I’d say it’s alright—but nothing more than that. The lack of voiceover isn’t a deal-breaker, but having it would undoubtedly elevate the experience to a whole new level.
Conclusion
Dragon is Dead may not reinvent the roguelike formula, but its straightforward design, rewarding gear progression, and striking pixel art make it a surprisingly addictive experience—even for someone not typically drawn to the genre.
While the shallow combat and lack of voice acting hold it back from greatness, its charm and gameplay loop are more than enough to keep you coming back for "just one more run".
The Good
Addictive gameplay loop- Rewarding gear progression
- Striking pixel art style
- Varied biomes and visual design
- Simple but effective upgrade system
The Bad
Shallow combat mechanics- No voice acting
- Lengthy unvoiced dialogues
