Info about Boyfriend Dungeon:

Official game description:
*   Date up to nine-ish weapons, from dancing swords to heart-piercing daggers
*   Generated action-combat dungeons and challenges! Stay sharp!
*   Various combat styles. For example, hit hard and dodge quickly with the dagger, or take on crowds with Lasersaber
*   Inclusive, tasteful approach to gender and sexuality - male, female, and non-binary romance
*   Let's get to the point: take your weapon-babes on romantic outings, such as to the club or the beach
You move into your cousin's old apartment, rent-free for the summer. Plus, he'll help you solve your little problem... you've never been on a date in your life!
To get some confidence and meet people, plus earn a little cash, you’re tasked with clearing the creatures in “the dunj”. Soon you discover weapons you find transform into cuties… and they’re SINGLE! (What a craaazy coincidence because you also happen to be up for grabs yourself.) But someone's abducting weapons and leaving them damaged in the dungeon! Who could do such a thing? Will you solve the blade-napping mystery? Will you find love? Or, friendship, at least?
Craft gifts for your bae blades and give them when the time is right, whether it's in the dunj or out on the town. After all, a couple that slays together, stays together.
*   Estoc (Isaac): the sharpest dresser
*   Dagger (Valeria): tired of backstabs
*   Talwar (Sunder): worried he’s becoming an antique
*   Lasersaber (Seven): hard to get a handle on him
*   Glaive (Sawyer): awkward in the wrong hands
*   Scythe (Rowan): reaping what they sow
*   Brass Knuckles (Pocket): loves cat naps
*   Axe (Jonah): surfer sweetie
*   Hammer (Leah): fashionable and cute
*   Whip (Dr. Holmes): Cannot be wielded
Date them all without a care, you polyarmourous dual-wielder, or just be best friends. Either way, you can reach max Love Rank, because platonic love is also real love. (Besides, you can't be romantic with the cat anyway. Calm down.)
If that's not enough for you, mod your own! The devs have already added basic support for changing out weapon looks -- keep an eye on updates for more features to help you blacksmith your own sharp cuties and trade them with your friends.

Release date: Aug 11, 2021

Categories: Dating Simulation, Dungeon Crawler, Character Customization, LGBTQ+ Themes, Crafting, Mod Support, Roguelike, Narrative Adventure

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals several key points about the Steam Deck experience. While many users report positive performance and enjoyable gameplay, significant issues with controls and occasional crashes have been noted. The controls are described as clunky and difficult to use, which severely impacts the user experience. Additionally, crashes during the end scene have been reported, although there are guides available to fix these issues. Overall, the game seems to run well on the Steam Deck, but the control and stability issues are notable drawbacks.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and Fun Gameplay (weight 0.82): The game offers a satisfying and addictive gameplay loop with a mix of combat and dating sim elements. Players enjoy the variety of weapons, unique combat mechanics, and the seamless integration of different genres.
- Diverse and Inclusive Characters (weight 0.81): The game features a wide range of characters with unique personalities and backgrounds. Players appreciate the inclusive representation, including LGBTQ+ characters and the option for platonic relationships.
- Beautiful Art and Music (weight 0.71): The game's art style and music are highly praised for their quality and appeal. Players enjoy the visual presentation, including character designs and transformation scenes, as well as the soundtrack.
- Unique Concept and Story (weight 0.32): The game's unique blend of dungeon crawling and dating sim, along with its intriguing story and psychological themes, makes it stand out. Players enjoy the concept of dungeons representing inner feelings and fears.
- Customization and Flexibility (weight 0.14): Players appreciate the game's customization options, including pronouns, outfits, and the ability to choose between romantic and platonic relationships. The game offers flexibility in how players interact with characters and progress through the story.
- Accessible and Beginner-Friendly (weight 0.12): The game is designed to be accessible to both beginners and experienced players. Its simple mechanics and casual gameplay make it easy to pick up and enjoy without needing a guide.
- Satisfying Progression and Replayability (weight 0.07): The game offers a rewarding difficulty progression and the ability to 100% completion in one save file. Players enjoy the variety of romantic options and the ability to explore different character routes and relationships.
- Good Localization and Technical Performance (weight 0.06): The game is praised for its good localization, including Japanese and German translations. It also runs well on various hardware, including older systems and the Steam Deck.
- Enjoyable Achievements and Extras (weight 0.05): Players find the achievements easy to obtain and enjoy the puns in their names. The game also offers satisfying crafting and collecting mechanics, adding to the overall enjoyment.

Common complaints:
- Shallow characters and relationships (weight 0.96): Characters were often described as shallow, stereotypical, and lacking depth. Relationships and romances felt rushed and underdeveloped, leading to a lack of emotional investment.
- Repetitive and boring combat (weight 0.91): The combat system was criticized for being simplistic, repetitive, and lacking depth. Enemies and dungeons were also seen as monotonous and boring.
- Lack of player agency (weight 0.81): Players felt a lack of control over their character's actions and relationships. This included being forced into romantic relationships and unable to set boundaries or refuse unwanted interactions.
- Game length and replayability issues (weight 0.81): Many players found the game to be too short and lacking in replayability value. The game's length was considered steep for its price, and the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying.
- Inconsistent and poor writing (weight 0.78): The game's writing was criticized for being awkward, unnatural, and lacking depth. Dialogue often felt repetitive, and the overall plot was seen as shallow and unengaging.
- Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.76): Players encountered various technical issues, including game crashes, visual bugs, and poor controls. These issues detracted from the overall gaming experience.
- Lack of diversity and representation (weight 0.71): The game was criticized for its lack of diversity in characters and poor representation of certain groups. This included issues with the portrayal of non-binary and trans characters.
- Unsatisfying gameplay mechanics (weight 0.7): Various gameplay mechanics, such as the gift system, weapon design, and dungeon crawling, were seen as lacking depth and being poorly implemented.
- Disappointing visuals and art style (weight 0.67): The game's art style and character portraits were criticized for being inconsistent, uncanny, and reminiscent of low-quality mobile games.

Gameplay feedback:
- Combat mechanics and variety (weight 0.68): The combat system involves attacking, dodging, and using magic, with different weapons offering unique combat styles and abilities. The combat is generally enjoyable but can become repetitive over time.
- Dating sim with dungeon crawling (weight 0.47): The game combines elements of a dating simulator with dungeon crawling mechanics, creating a unique blend of romance and action. Players can engage in relationships with characters while also exploring dungeons and battling enemies.
- Character relationships and customization (weight 0.39): Players can develop relationships with a variety of characters, including romantic, platonic, and polyamorous options. The game offers customization options for pronouns and outfits, as well as the ability to choose the protagonist's gender and romantic preferences.
- Dungeon exploration and mechanics (weight 0.17): The game features dungeon crawling with specific exit points and exploration mechanics. Dungeons represent inner feelings and fears, and players can progress relationships through dungeon leveling.
- Localization and worldbuilding (weight 0.05): The game includes localization for different regions and features worldbuilding elements with an American setting. It also incorporates mystery elements and a soundtrack.
- Simple and relaxing gameplay (weight 0.05): The gameplay is designed to be simple and not overwhelming, offering an easy and relaxing experience. The addicting gameplay loop and fun mechanics make it enjoyable for players.
- Crafting and resource gathering (weight 0.04): Players can gather materials in dungeons to craft items, gifts for characters, and equipment that enhances attributes. The crafting system includes blueprints and recipes found during exploration.
- Handling of sensitive topics (weight 0.04): The game handles sensitive topics with realism and includes LGBTQ+ themes. It features mature plot elements without nudity, focusing on innuendo and cursing.

Performance notes:
- Visual and gameplay bugs (weight 0.09): Players have encountered various visual bugs and glitches, including issues with the crafting table and dungeon levels. These bugs affect the overall gaming experience and immersion.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.09): Multiple players reported game crashes, particularly during the end scene and at specific locations like Flutterbug Road. These crashes significantly disrupt gameplay and indicate stability issues.
- Mixed Steam Deck performance (weight 0.04): While some players report that the game works great on Steam Deck, others have experienced poor controls and glitches, particularly with the end scene video. This indicates inconsistent performance on this platform.
- Compatibility with older hardware (weight 0.02): The game works well on older hardware and Linux with Proton, indicating good compatibility and optimization for a range of systems. This is positive for players with less advanced setups.
- Dialogue synchronization issues (weight 0.01): There are issues with dialogue synchronization, which can break immersion and make the story difficult to follow. This problem affects the narrative experience of the game.
- Unlikely bug fixes (weight 0.01): Players have noted that bugs are still present and are not likely to be fixed. This suggests a lack of ongoing support and updates, which can be frustrating for players.

Recommendations:
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.39): Many reviews suggest that the game is worth purchasing, especially when it is on sale. It offers good value for money and is recommended for those who enjoy a mix of dating sim and roguelike gameplay.
- Recommended for unique dating sim fans (weight 0.33): The game is highly recommended for those who enjoy dating sims, especially with its unique twist on the genre and blend with roguelite dungeon crawling. It offers a fun and relaxing experience with a variety of weapon choices and engaging gameplay.
- Casual and on-the-go gaming (weight 0.31): The game is recommended for casual gamers and those who enjoy gaming on the go. It is seen as a good option for long journeys and easy-to-learn combat mechanics.
- Not for detailed plot seekers (weight 0.29): The game may not be suitable for those seeking a detailed plot, engaging romances, or good combat. It is more focused on accessible gameplay and interesting plot twists rather than deep storytelling.
- Better alternatives available (weight 0.28): Some reviews mention that there are far better roguelikes and visual novels/dating sims available. Games like Hades are recommended for better dungeon crawling experiences.
- Mixed recommendations on purchase (weight 0.11): Opinions vary on whether to buy the game at full price or wait for a sale. Some recommend purchasing it to support the developers, while others suggest waiting for more content or getting it at a discount.
- Endless mode suggestion (weight 0.01): A suggestion for an endless mode has been made, indicating that players might be interested in additional gameplay modes to extend the game's replayability.
- Strategy tips for specific challenges (weight 0.01): There are recommendations and strategies provided for handling specific in-game challenges, such as dealing with the princess ant, which can be helpful for players looking for tips.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.19): Players feel disappointed due to a variety of issues, including game crashes, lack of depth in gameplay, story, and character development, and the game feeling unfinished or rushed. Specific complaints include repetitive gameplay, lack of dungeon variety, and underwhelming romance options. Additionally, the game's handling of serious themes and lack of player agency contribute to this sentiment.
- Frustration (weight 0.18): Players are frustrated by several aspects of the game, such as the difficulty of mini-games, repetitive and shallow gameplay, and the presence of bugs. The lack of meaningful choices, forced romantic relationships, and awkward character interactions also contribute to this frustration. Additionally, the game's lack of depth and the overwhelming amount of text messages add to the players' dissatisfaction.
- Joy (weight 0.16): Players express joy due to the unique gameplay aspects, enjoyable character arcs, and inclusive representation. The engaging story, fun combat mechanics, and enjoyable dating mechanics also contribute to this positive emotion. Additionally, the game's art, soundtrack, and overall fun factor are highlighted as sources of joy.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.15): Players enjoy the game's combat system, character storylines, and the blend of dating sim and dungeon crawling mechanics. The art style, characters, and overall gameplay loop are also sources of enjoyment. The variety of romantic options and the game's accessibility for different types of gamers add to the positive experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Players feel satisfied with the game's well-crafted and polished nature, along with its natural character development and dialogue options. The mix of romance, story, and hack and slash gameplay is also appreciated. The game's art, music, and inclusive relationship options contribute to this sense of satisfaction.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's inclusiveness towards LGBTQ+ identities, diverse customization options, and thoughtful design. The variety of dating options, good localization, and the game's unique style and interesting cast of characters are also highlighted. The art and voice acting, along with the mature handling of romances and story, are sources of appreciation.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players express love for the game's unique premise, fun gameplay, and compelling characters. The emotional journey, good representation, and the overall game experience are also sources of this strong positive emotion. The art, soundtrack, and characters are particularly loved by the players.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are pleasantly surprised by the game's inclusivity, quality, and addictiveness. The unique and fun premise, along with the game's treatment of characters' past experiences, contribute to this sense of surprise. The game's ability to make players interested in the dating sim genre is also highlighted.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players find the game's silly concept and fun gameplay amusing. The Quebecois dubbing and the weird premise of characters turning into swords add to the amusement. Laughing through most of the game with a girlfriend is also mentioned as a source of amusement.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Players feel sadness due to the game's handling of sensitive topics and unwanted character interactions. The lack of respect for personal boundaries and personal discomfort with certain themes contribute to this emotion. Additionally, returning to reality after the game adds to the sense of sadness.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Players feel happiness due to the game's utopian setting and natural representation. The game meeting the reviewer's expectations and providing a refreshing and unique experience contribute to this positive emotion. The overall enjoyable experience is also a source of happiness.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Players feel discomfort due to uncomfortable and poorly handled character interactions. The dating sim side being severely lacking and unsettling, along with the game's handling of stalking and unwanted advances, contribute to this emotion. The lack of respect for personal boundaries is also a source of discomfort.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players develop affection for the game's characters. Falling in love with every character and their stories is a significant source of this emotion. The compelling characters and good representation contribute to the players' affection.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players feel anger due to discomfort with certain characters and lack of respect for personal boundaries. The portrayal of non-binary characters and homophobic writing, along with stalking behavior, contribute to this strong negative emotion. The game's handling of sensitive topics and unwanted character interactions also add to the anger.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Players feel disgust due to the male NPCs' greasy and harassing behavior. The main villain's unwanted attention and the game's handling of stalking and unwanted advances contribute to this strong negative emotion. The lack of respect for personal boundaries is also a source of disgust.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgia and miss the game after completing it. The game's story about a summer that changed the hero contributes to this sense of nostalgia. The emotional journey and the overall game experience are also sources of this feeling.}