When was the Dungeons of Hinterberg release date? If you’re in dire need of a vacation, then do we have the alpine resort for you! Dungeons of Hinterberg is the debut title from indie studio Microbird Games, and it’s turned plenty of heads thanks to its striking ligne claire visuals and idyllic Austrian setting.
Dungeons of Hinterberg originally shot to the top of our list of upcoming PC games following Ken Allsop’s Dungeons of Hinterberg preview. He described Hinterberg as “the place to be,” offering players a “whimsical, colorful, and laid-back adventure” scaffolded by a Persona-style time system. So, if you’ve been looking for a magical realism coming-of-age action RPG, consider it found. Not only will we remind you of when the Dungeons of Hinterberg release date was, but we’ll also get you up to speed with all the trailers and gameplay out in the wild.
Dungeons of Hinterberg release date
The Dungeons of Hinterberg release date was Wednesday, July 18, 2024. This was originally confirmed by developer Microbird Games on the official Dungeons of Hinterberg social media channels and Steam page.
The indie game is available to purchase on PC via Steam, or exclusively on Xbox Series X|S for console users.
As an Xbox exclusive, Dungeons of Hinterberg arrived on Game Pass on day one of release, meaning subscribers to the platform were able to play it as soon as it launched without spending more than their regular monthly fee.
Dungeons of Hinterberg playtest
The Dungeons of Hinterberg playtest ran from Thursday, May 9 to Thursday, May 23, 2024. This limited-time playtest included the opening hours of Dungeons of Hinterberg, from Luisa’s arrival in the town to her first trek into the great unknown.
Eager fans could sign up for a chance to access the playtest via the official Steam page. It was originally meant to last for seven days, but Microbird Games extended it an additional week due to its positive reception.
Dungeons of Hinterberg trailers
Dungeons of Hinterberg debuted with an announcement trailer at the Summer Game Fest 2023. This trailer offers a snapshot of the various environments that lie beyond Hinterberg, including glacial mountains, autumnal forests, and gloomy swamps. We also see glimpses of how Luisa can traverse these treacherous environments to reach the treasure chest that lies at the end of her adventure.
The Dungeons of Hinterberg ‘Social Side’ trailer reveals the more relaxed, intimate side of the action-adventure game that can be found within the eponymous village itself. We also catch a glimpse of Dungeon of Hinterberg’s three-star social system in action. As Luisa becomes acquainted with her fellow Hinterbergians, she unlocks perks that can help her out in the wilds – including removing pesky goo stains from loot, a photo mode, and a dodge stamina bonus. All of these relationships are stored in a logbook, so you can keep track of who Luisa has met and the strength of their connection with her.
The ‘Welcome to Hinterberg’ trailer that aired during IGN Fan Fest comes straight from the Hinterberg Tourist Board itself, containing a marketing brochure’s worth of information about the four overworlds we can explore during our ‘slaycation’. From the rolling hills and majestic peaks of Doberkogel to the autumnal forest of Hinterwald, there’s plenty of sights to see. We can even grab a snowboard and take an SSX-style day trip through the alpine ski resort of Kolmstein, or paddle through clusters of cat tails in the swamps of Brunnelsumpf.
No matter what we choose to do, the trailer shows us closing out our days back in Hinterberg itself, either in the spa, bar, or cinema.
Dungeons of Hinterberg story
Dungeon of Hinterberg’s protagonist of the hour is Luisa Dorfer, a law student armed with a tourist guide and an inexplicably cool sword, as she retreats to an alpine resort town to recover from burn-out. However, she’s not destined to while away her vacation with a few bouts of skiing and a good book; instead, she’s hopping through mysterious portals and clearing dungeons full of monsters in an effort to become a Master Slayer. Talk about a Type A.
Dungeons of Hinterberg gameplay
Publisher Curve Games originally pitched Dungeons of Hinterberg as “a single-player ARPG with social situation elements” and its gameplay loop echoes other cozy dungeon crawlers like Moonlighter and Stardew Valley. As outlined by technical director Philipp Seifried, you must “decide which overworld to travel to, spend the day slaying and puzzling in a dungeon, and then head back to the village to befriend someone who may be the key to your success” in a typical Hinterbergian day.
There are 25 dungeons of Hinterberg, along with five dungeons of Hastings and the mysterious “Venice Anomaly”. There are several traversal methods at Luisa’s disposal, including a zip-line, mine cart, gondola lift, or her own two feet. She even has magic at her disposal, allowing her to harness the wind and reach high ledges that would otherwise be out of reach, as well as manipulate her surroundings to solve environmental puzzles.
Luisa’s travels are punctuated by fast-paced hack-and-slash combat, as she fends off a bestiary of giant spiders, goblins brandishing wooden clubs, and even spell-slinging mages out in the wilds. Hinterberg’s monsters are also inspired by Austria’s mythology, from the pint-sized Pitzl to the long-necked Hobangoas. Some wield makeshift clubs and tree trunks, while others use magical shields and teleportation to ensure their own survival.
That said, Dungeons of Hinterberg is as much a relaxing game as it is a dungeon crawler. In a Dungeons of Hinterberg GDC interview with PCGamesN, Curve Games franchise director Kristian von Fersen describes it as “a refreshing change where you’re not constantly trying to progress or grind anything.”
There are plenty of opportunities to kick back and unwind in the idyllic alpine village, from the cinema to the spa. Dungeons of Hinterberg incorporates life game elements where you can interact with townsfolk and tourists alike, and spend quality time together to forge strong relationships. These connections can help you progress in your dungeon-crawling career, with the opportunity to unlock special weapons and enchantments to help defeat tough bosses.
Now that you’re all packed and ready for the Dungeons of Hinterberg, get out there and have fun! While you’re here, though, check out some of the best open-world games to explore for when you’ve finished crawling dungeons. We’ve also got our recommendations for the best PC games of all time – a real treat of a list.