Pixel Dungeon is a free rogue-like game available on Google Play and Amazon. The game looks amazing, even though it is set in an 8-bit world full of different monsters and demons out to stop you from reaching your ultimate goal, which is retrieving the Amulet of Yendor and returning to the surface with your loot and, hopefully, your life.

As of now, there are four classes to choose from. The Warrior is the best starting class, as it starts with the most health and strength. The Mage starts with extremely adept accuracy from long range and is able to hit targets from afar with different spells. The Huntress utilizes more advanced tactical tools and magic to help her survive instead of brute strength. The Rogue is the hardest class to master, usually relying on sheer luck and stealth to survive difficult situations.

The app has many different concepts for surviving the depths of the dangerous dungeon. With each class you are able to gather new resources by searching the level you are on, such as potions and scrolls that help to enhance your characters’ abilities. For example, weapons and armor are found in an unidentified state, but can be later identified by using magical items on them or wearing them for a certain amount of time.

On the other hand, there are items that hinder your abilities as well, making the game much harder to win. If you put one of these items on, there is a chance it may be cursed, which affects you by having the item “constrict painfully around you.” Unable to equip the item unless you enchant it, players are stuck with the negative effects until they can somehow get it off.

Bosses also populate the game environment, appearing on floors 6, 11, 15, 20 and 25. Harder than regular enemies, the bosses use different tactics to try and kill your character, applying effects such as “Caustic Goo” and “Poison Darts.” Beating these bosses surprisingly requires more preparation and tactical thinking than what your equipment can offer. Instead of taking them straight on, more advanced tactics should be used to rid the dungeon of these foul beasts.

I have not seen a single bug or flaw to report. The game ran smoothly despite playing on a very cheap tablet. The overall feel as I played also struck me as surprising. Starting the game at around noon, I became so immersed in the fantastic digital world that I ended up playing until the early hours of the morning.

Even though the developer, Watabou, released this game at the end of last year, it’s still offers exciting quality gameplay. Impossible to put down and easy to become addicted to, Pixel Dungeon is phenomenal and will capture the hearts of any gamer.