Unleashing the Hi-Fi Thrills: Unraveling the Dungeons of Hinterberg

The Xbox Showcase unveiled an unexpected delight in the form of Dungeons of Hinterberg, the debut offering from Microbird Games. This action-packed RPG takes place in a fantasy version of Hinterberg, an Austrian village, and has already garnered acclaim for its vibrant, cel-shaded graphics and combat and puzzle-solving mechanics reminiscent of Zelda. The game's unique and captivating art style, reminiscent of Hi-Fi Rush, further sets it apart from other titles unveiled at the event. Players assume the role of Luisa, who, armed with her trusty sword and travel guide, embarks on dungeon expeditions throughout the Austrian Alps. These trips involve battling monsters, solving puzzles, and utilizing clever traversal techniques that blend modern realism and dark fantasy. Dungeons of Hinterberg proudly wears its Zelda inspirations on its sleeve, with a hint of Celeste influence in its setting and protagonist. Like Hi-Fi Rush, the game will be available on Game Pass from day one.

Dungeons of Hinterberg Continues a New Heyday for Cel-Shaded Games

The popularity of cel-shaded games declined with the advancement of hardware that allowed for more realistic graphics, but the style has experienced a resurgence in recent years thanks to successful titles like Persona 5 and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This year alone has seen the release of several cel-shaded games including Hi-Fi Rush, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Superfuse, and Minecraft Legends, with more slated for release in 2023. Dungeons of Hinterberg is the latest addition to this trend, bringing a fantastical take on the Austrian Alps and using the art style to enhance the game's dungeon crawling and combat. The title also features segments where players must build relationships with locals to gain their assistance in combating the monsters plaguing the countryside. Similar to Hi-Fi Rush, the cel-shaded art style in Dungeons of Hinterberg adds a lightheartedness to the game through exaggerated animations and bright colors.

The combat in Dungeons of Hinterberg appears more cartoonish due to the clever use of particle effects, animated smoke, and damage numbers that pop up on screen. While these elements add to the charm of the game, it is important that they do not interfere with the player's ability to understand what is happening during combat, as was sometimes the case in Hi-Fi Rush. The art style used in Dungeons of Hinterberg showcases the natural beauty of the Alps, which is a testament to the developer's understanding of the game's setting. With its impressive art style and ambitious goals, Dungeons of Hinterberg has the potential to be as successful as Hi-Fi Rush.

Dungeons of Hinterberg is currently in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.